Best Doughnuts In Minnesota

The cupcake craze has now been eclipsed by donut fever. One-of-a-kind donut shop gems are popping up everywhere, even at your local convenience store. The mutation of the Cronut is just the tip of the iceberg. Ever met a doughnut you didn't like? Here is a guide to mingle with some of the sweetest company in Minnesota for National Doughnut Day, June 5.

Glam Doll Donuts
2605 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN  55408
(612) 345-7064
www.glamdolldonuts.com

The Glam Doll take on the donut leans ever so slightly to a doughier, chewier bite. The store's glamor pin up inspired titles strike a perfect balance of nostalgia and disregard for the current fashion of healthier eating. The Glam Doll patron comes to indulge in a rich, gooey escape. It is almost possible to see who is playing at First Ave that night by checking out their Instagram feed displaying custom designs for headlining acts. Glam Doll's esoteric offerings paradoxically appeal to all, because they're just that good.

Tobies
404 Fire Monument Road
Hinckley, MN  55037
(320) 384-6174
tobies.com

Anyone traveling regularly on 35W knows of this required rest stop.  The chocolate frosted donut provides the added sugar kick to finish the home stretch to Duluth or the lake cabin for the weekend. Make sure you grab a box for anyone you're coming to visit to start the vacation off on the right foot. Wear your sweatpants if you are eating at the adjacent restaurant, because you won't leave the building without some kind of sugar fix.

Yo Yo Donuts & Coffee Bar
5757 Sanibel Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
(952) 960-1800
yoyodonuts.com

Yo Yo's emphasis on a blend of wheat flour, barley flour, potato flour, and special spices is what sets them apart from the competition. A first glance of the display case shows an obvious affliction of candy store aesthetics and Willy Wonka magic making. As the French say, you eat with your eyes first, and Yo Yo brings home the maple glazed bacon in this department. Literally: It offers an applewood smoked bacon and maple glazed donut.

Related: Ask A Minnesota Chef: Best Healthy Smoothie Recipe

Hans Bakery
1423 5th Ave.
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 421-4200
hans-bakery.com

Hans' "History in the Baking" was started in 1973 by German immigrants Hans and Traudy Birkner.  The clean, straightforward design of their brand recalls a simpler time and tradition. Hans provides all the classic donut offerings, but the pièce de ré·sis·tance is the Texas Doughnut. Almost big enough to fit over your head, and maybe it should, it measures just over a foot across. You will definitely want to mess with the Texas Doughnut, forget Minnesota nice. Get there early on the weekend or you might find yourself waiting in line outside the door.

Bogart's Doughnut Company
904 W. 36th St.
Minneapolis, MN  55408
(612) 886-1670
www.bogartsdoughnutco.com

The brown butter glazed doughnut is emblematic of their slogan, "Classic Doughnuts made even better."  Limited batches are handmade everyday and are Kosher certified. Check their twitter feed to see what is available daily.  Bogart's offers online ordering (24 hours in advance) for those patrons that know what they want, when they want it. But then again, who doesn't want a doughnut?

Related: Best Places For Chicken And Waffles In Minnesota

Erik Ritter has a masters of fine arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and regularly shows his assemblage artwork throughout the Midwest. The South Dakota Art Museum purchased his piece "Bird of Time" for their permanent collection. He facilitates "DeJunked Art" workshops at various locations. He lives in Osseo, Minnesota.