Science has proven time and time again that doughnuts are perhaps the best culinary creation ever pulled out of an oven. Whether you aim for traditional flavors and varieties for your fix, or you are looking for something a little different and unique, you’ll find it at great shops across Iowa. Here are the 9 best.
Sometimes that doughnut craving just really hits you. To subside that confectionary craving, Hurts Donuts Co. in Coralville provides every flavor and variety of doughnut you can dream up, and many more. Operating only since 2015, Hurts Donut Company has already made a big splash in Eastern Iowa cementing itself as a staple doughnut shop in the community. While the friendly staff helps add to the appeal of this first-class doughnut shop, it’s the fresh flavors and mouthwatering doughnuts they make each morning that will keep them in business for years to come.
The smells alone that come from ChuChu Donuts in Ankeny is reason enough to stop in, and once you take a bite of their fluffy and soft doughnuts beneath the counter, you’ll find yourself stopping back in for the rest of your life. That’s because not only is there a wide selection of pinecone and butterfly doughnuts, cinnamon rolls and bear claws, and other classic varieties, but everything is also made fresh daily with special attention to detail, making any doughnut decision the right choice for your appetite at ChuChu Donuts.
First serving the public in 1949, Hiland Bakery of Des Moines is a family run establishment that specializes in doughnuts and many other confectionary creations. While the breads, cakes and buns provide a great aroma throughout the day at Hiland Bakery, a big reason for the long success of this local spot is the doughnuts they provide fresh every morning that they’re open. Featuring classic soft doughnut recipes and icing, Hiland Bakery also specializes in unique doughnut varieties that will have you coming back for more.
No trip to the Kalona and the Amana Colonies of Eastern Iowa is complete without a stop into the Golden Delight Bakery. Whether you are craving an old fashioned glazed doughnut or bear claw, or maybe just a warm cup of coffee, this Amish bakery serves it all up fresh with a smile. A great way to fuel a day exploring the Amana Colonies, Golden Delight Bakery should be your first stop in this historic part of Iowa.
Featuring an always rotating selection of flavors of the day, including the likes of pink champagne, chocolate glazed, maple bacon and toasted coconut caramel, Mad Ox Bakery in Council Bluffs has many recipes to make them one of the best doughnut shops in Iowa. The fun doesn’t stop with the doughnut selection at Mad Ox however, and this celebrated community space also serves up fresh bread, cakes and candies throughout the day, making for many reasons to visit this aroma-filled space.
The shop currently known as Storm Lake Bakery has been in operation for over a century, though for many years it was known as Page’s Bakery. Storm Lake Bakery may have gotten a name change, but what has remained the same is the wide variety of fresh doughnuts and confectionary items this long-standing bakery pulls out of the oven. Featuring doughnuts, doughnut holes, muffins and fritters, you can also pick up fresh bread, wedding cakes and much more at the friendly Storm Lake Bakery.
Located in Cresco, Dough & Joe provides the two staple elements to any great morning. Whether you stop in for the hot coffee or wide selection of doughnuts (or ideally both), you’ll see for yourself that Dough & Joe doesn’t just provide the products for a good time, they provide the space for it too. If you have the time, it’s well worth your while to stop in and stay awhile in Dough & Joe, taking in the smells, tastes and comfortable atmosphere of this colorful doughnut shop.
Family owned and operated since 1983, Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery has two locations in Iowa, and whether you visit the Ames or Boone shop, you’re in for a real treat. That’s because Van Hemert’s is a full-line scratch bakery, which means not only will your order be super fresh and made with the ingredients you can see in the shop, but the possibilities are nearly endless as to what confectionary items they can create. One sure fire way to make the most out of your visit to Van Hemert’s is ordering a dozen homemade doughnuts, suddenly propelling your into all-star status with whoever you share them with.
For a local taste of something delicious, Donut-Boy in Dubuque has all the right flavors for a great start to any day. Featuring soft doughnuts, fancy rolls and plenty of creative confectionary creations, Donut-Boy has new flavors to try every day and a comfortable atmosphere to stay and enjoy your meal. While you really can’t go wrong with your dozen flavors or single serving doughnut fix, a highly recommended route to go is the Persian rolls which help solidify Donut-Boy as one of the best doughnut shops in Iowa.