You’re in the birthplace of Dunkin’ Donuts, but you want something exceptional. If you’re from here, you probably grew up on caramel swirl iced coffees. If you were lucky, your grandparents treated you to a box of glazed munchkins when they visited. But even for a Bostonian, a stop in Dunks brings more nostalgia than satisfaction.
Favorite Doughnut Spots in Boston
Nonetheless, when you’re in the city famous for doughnuts and you’re seeing the infamous orange and pink signs on every street corner, chances are you’re going to start getting a hankering for something soft and doughy. But at Galavante, we don’t want you to settle for any old doughnut, no matter how iconic.
When in Boston, opt for the local, small businesses, which are critical to support today. The city is full of alternatives for a crave-worthy Boston doughnut. Warning, you’re probably going to leave these bakeries with an entire box full of treats.
We are huge fans of Kane’s Donuts, Blackbird Doughnuts (think doughnut-ice cream sandwiches), and Mass Hole Donuts, all of which have ’grams with drool-worthy posts and robust followings that are worth scrolling through even if not in Boston.
A Doughnut Above the Rest
When you want a doughnut Galavante-style, Union Square Donuts has both standout classics and vegan options that you have to try. Take their Brown Butter Hazelnut Crunch. The classic doughnut takes a twist with a decadent brown butter glaze and salted and toasted crushed hazelnuts on top. As the weather turns, we love feeling warm and cozy and this gooey doughnut gives us all the salty-sweet and warm fall vibes.
Or if you’re feeling even more festive, their seasonal doughnut options include Caramel Apple Crisp and Apple Cider Cake. There’s also a vegan Apple Cider Chai and, of course, Pumpkin Spiced Latte, which also comes in a vegan option. The Pumpkin Spice Latte has a rich pumpkin glaze combined with a touch of espresso and the perfect balance of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
And because one of their shops is located outside the city center in Sommerville, this place will have you exploring neighborhoods you might not stop by on your trolley tour. Sommerville is home to some amazing restaurants, like Celeste, and is a hop, skip and jump from Harvard Square.
It’s Time To Make the Doughnuts
Doughnuts aren’t the easiest to master, but Rebecca Roth Gullo, owner of Boston-based Blackbird Doughnuts, knows the best dough takes patience. Blackbird doesn’t do your average doughnut. Unfortunately, theirs is a top-secret recipe, but while Blackbird may not be revealing all of their secrets, you can get a taste of what their doughnuts are like from your own home.
The Secret is in the Dough
Blackbird starts with a rich, tender, yeasted brioche dough that isn’t too sweet. It makes it a perfect base for both their sweet and savory options. They use simple ingredients; all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk and yeast. Blackbird also adds nutmeg, lemon zest and salt, and they fry the doughnuts in soybean oil. Of course they keep their exact measurements and timing a secret for a reason. However, ultimately the trick is to let the dough rest for a long enough time. At Blackbird, they take more than 24 hours to make their perfect dough. Like they do at Blackbird, you can experiment with flavors, but this recipe makes one of the classic varieties, the brioche doughnut glazed in sugar and vanilla.
