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As the culinary world evolves, so do the simplest of foods. Take, for example, the donut. First we had the plain ‘ol chocolate glazed, then before you knew it, someone from the east coast invented the cronut (a croissant/donut hybrid), people began sprinkling frosted donuts with bacon bits, and a certain breakfast pastry chain unveiled a glazed donut breakfast sandwich.
And now, things have been taken one step further. What do you mean? What could be crazier than a donut topped with pork? The combination of donuts and ice cream, that’s what.
Treat Dreams, 22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, opened earlier this year and specializes in some of the most unique ice cream flavors around (Salted Caramel Crunch, Holy Cannoli and Boston Cooler, to name a few). And as of earlier this month, the ice cream emporium now makes donuts. Not just any donuts, either—Wicked Donuts.
Pumpkin Maple Walnut, Mexican Chocolate, Pumpkin Pie, Maple Bacon Long John, Peanut Butter Cup, Matcha Green Tea and German Chocolate are all flavors that have made their debuts thus far.
They’ve even got a mini donut named after local band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (a chocolate donut with an absinthe glaze, topped with Junior Mints), and another one honoring prominent local figure Marshall Mathers.
After getting the traditionally prepared donuts up and running, gluten free and vegan varieties will soon follow.
While Treat Dreams’ Wicked Donuts is the newest donut shop on the map, there are several others in the area worth visiting as well.
Knapp’s Donuts, with locations in Troy and Rochester, produces fresh donuts daily, including French Crullers, donuts with sprinkles, Boston Creams, double chocolate donuts, and more. Are sprinkles considered a vegetable?
Dimo’s Deli & Donuts, 2030 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, claims, “You haven’t had a donut till you’ve had a Dimo’s donut.” They’re made fresh every morning and flavors include Maple Nut, Butter Crème, Black Raspberry, Custard Long John and Buttermilk. With a slogan like that, one can’t be expected to take their word for it.
Milford Baking Company, 408 N. Main St., Milford, makes over two dozen different varieties of raised donuts (raised means they’re light and fluffy, not cake-like. Any other donut related questions, let me know). The mouthwatering selection includes French Glazed, Chocolate Crumble, Cinnamon Butterflies, Devils Food, Vanilla Nutty and Blueberry.
Uncle Neil’s Bread and Donuts sells its products at the Sunday Artisan Market in Ann Arbor, and you can thank Uncle Neil for bringing the cronut to Metro Detroit. There are a few different varieties of cronut, too: one with cream filling and strawberry frosting, and a cinnamon cronut with cream filling and vanilla frosting. You’re going to want to click on the link provided and take a look at these babies, but be forewarned: simply viewing the delicious photographs will probably cause you to gain a pound or five.
Dutch Girl Donut, 19000 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is one of the area’s most beloved donut shops, and with good reason. You’ll find everything here, from twisted glaze donuts to powdered ones to Boston Cremes. The best part? The shop is open 24/7 Monday through Saturday (until they sell out around 8 p.m.), so you can grab a classic donut no matter what time the craving hits.
The donut craze doesn’t stop with breakfast, either. There are a number of restaurants that serve fresh, homemade donuts for dessert. If it’s acceptable to start the day with a sugar rush, it’s certainly an okay way to end it, too.
One Eyed Betty’s, 175 W. Troy Ave., Ferndale, wraps up the dinner menu by offering powdered donuts with dipping sauce for dessert. If you’re there on the weekend, the breakfast menu includes donuts, too: powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar donuts with dipping sauce, and maple bacon or peanut butter donuts with Sriracha.
Union Woodshop, 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, also gets in on the “donuts for dessert” craze. The restaurant’s Hot Mini Mill Donuts are shaken in a bag tableside, to ensure each bite is coated in cinnamon sugar-y goodness. And if that’s not enough, you can add a scoop of homemade liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream for a few additional dollars.
Whether you’re a fan of classic donuts, or you prefer the newer and more adventurous varieties, there is no shortage of either in the Metro Detroit area. Now, who wants to place bets on when Treat Dreams starts selling donut ice cream sandwiches?
