Donuts are my favorite food group.
When we moved from Boston down to New Jersey (almost two years ago – my how time flies!), I was sad to be leaving my favorite donuts, from Union Square Donuts. They sold them in our parking lot EVERY sunday at SOWA, a Sunday market in the South End. Every week I would wander down and try a different flavor.
Fortunately, after moving down from Boston and doing meticulous research, I was pleasantly surprised to find that New Jersey was home to some really special donut shops! I have made it my mission to try as many of them as I can. In the last year we have hit up five shops, all of them different and decadent.
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook as we find out about new shops and make our way out to them! I use the hashtag #agirlandherdonut. I know. So clever.
Purple Glaze – Asbury Park, NJ
A few Sundays ago it was raining cats and dogs. E and I couldn’t sit in the apartment anymore so, like any normal couple would, we hopped in the car and drove down to Asbury Park for donuts! I had heard about Purple Glaze from some friends on Instagram. I couldn’t wait to try them out!
Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owners. We mentioned that we drove from South Orange just to try their donuts and they were SHOCKED! We were amazed by how many different flavors they had to offer. The donuts are made to order and decorated right in front of you. It was so fun to watch. We ordered a Key Lime Pie, a Holey Cannoli, a Butterfinger, and a Raspberry White Chocolate Glazed donut. Four donuts. Two People. Totally normal.
The donuts were fried to perfection. The Butterfinger and Key Lime Pie were our personal favorites. Would we drive all the way back down to Asbury Park just for donuts again? ABSOLUTELY.
Jacket: Everlane, Shirt: Everlane, Jeans: J.Brand, Necklace: Ariel Gordon JewelryRings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry, Watch: Freedom to Exist
Glaze Donuts – New Milford, NJ
If you have been on Facebook any time in the last two months, you have definitely seen the infamous Rainbow Cookie Donut from Glaze Donuts. They were recently featured on Good Morning America and Thrillist. After the features, what was already a very popular donut is now impossible to get your hands on.
Luckily, E and I visited Glaze back in November, before anyone else really knew about it! We ordered a half dozen donuts, a variety of course. E ordered a Maple Bacon and Cannoli, while I ordered a half Rainbow Cookie Donut as well as a Blueberry Crumb, Nutella Filled, a Red Velvet and FINALLY an Apple Fritter. Don’t worry. We shared with friends.
The Rainbow Cookie Donut was just as amazing as I thought it would be. Spread between the different colors is a thin layer of raspberry jam. While delicious, I am happy I only ordered a half donut. I had to leave room to try the others!
Jacket: Everlane, Shirt: J.Crew, Jeans: J.Brand, Watch: Uniform Wares
Montclair Bread Company – Montclair, NJ
I am a BIG Food Network fan and an avid watcher of Donut Showdown. So when I found out that the chef at the Montclair Bread Company won big on Donut Showdown I had to visit and try a few of their donuts for myself.
We arrived on Sunday morning and there was a line out the door! Always a good sign. I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by the array of flavors. E and I selected two of their seasonal flavors, the Margarita and the Sangria donut. Who doesn’t love a liquor spiked donut in the morning?! While the Sangria donut was quite tasty, the Margarita donut was the true winner. The sugar rim and lime filling was DELICIOUS. I think I may have found my new favorite donut in New Jersey…
Next time I am definitely going to try the Nutella filled and Pistachio and Petals donuts. Both looked amazing and were flying off the shelves!
Shirt: Everlane, Sunglasses: Toms, Jacket: Madewell (old, similar HERE), Rings: Ariel Gordon JewelryShirt: Everlane, Jeans: American Eagle, Bag: Mansur Gavriel (similar HERE), Sunglasses: Toms, Jacket: Madewell (old, similar HERE), Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry
Brownie Point’s Bakery – Summit, NJ
While some might say that this is not a true donut, I am not one of those people. The Duffin (donut + muffin) has won a spot in my donut loving heart. Every Sunday in Summit, Brownie Point’s Bakery sells their famous Duffins at the Summit Farmer’s Market and every week I don’t order one. A few weeks ago I just couldn’t resist. The jelly filled Duffin was calling my name!
You know how muffins and cupcakes are generally dry once you eat the muffin top…well the Duffin is moist throughout. And now I will never be able to successfully avoid ordering one ever again!
Jacket: J.Crew (old, similar HERE), Shirt: J.Crew, Jeans: American Eagle, Sunglasses: Toms, Bag: Lo & Sons, Watch: Freedom to Exist, Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry
Palmers Sweetery and Cafe – Maplewood, NJ
One of our FAVORITE pizza places, Arturo’s, is located in Maplewood. It unfortunately is everyone’s favorite as well…We don’t get to go very often, as there is usually a long line. Last Sunday we were in Maplewood really early (around 11:30AM) so we decided to take a chance. We got lucky and they had a table for two! After devouring our ricotta crostini and kale caesar salads we were ready for dessert.
Palmers Sweetery and Cafe just opened right down the street from Arturo’s. I have been wanting to try ALL of their baked goods. I noticed that they had posted a photo of donuts on their Instagram account that morning. Of course we had to go for dessert. I selected a Nutella donut with little crunch balls on top. IT WAS AMAZING. I let E have one bite. The rest was all for me. I can’t wait to see what else Palmer’s has in store for us!Top: Alternative Apparel, Bag: Mansur Gavriel, Sunglasses: Toms
RSK Doughnuts – Stone Harbor, NJ
Last summer, we visited Stone Harbor down the Jersey Shore for a long weekend. Just as we were about to pack up and head back to South Orange, we noticed the Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market was opening. I can’t help myself when I see a farmer’s market. We wandered on through and found RSK Doughnuts. As luck would have it, we were there during peak peach season. They were serving their freshly fried bite size doughnuts with a peach jam on the side. The PERFECT summer bite. I can’t wait to visit RSK again this summer!
Shirt: Urban Outfitters (old, similar HERE), Necklace: Stella and Dot, Sunglasses: Toms, Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry
ummm OMG! I live in NY and next time I visit NJ I am stopping here esp since I am a serial donut eater!
xoxo
Sarah
http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
My mom is from NJ and one of the things she misses the most about it are the amazing bakeries! These donuts look divine! I’m not one to eat a donut unless it really looks gourmet and unique, these are right up my alley!
I’m officially craving donuts now. Yummy!!! Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
You had me at donuts!! I would love to try Sangria and Margarita donuts! YUM.
xoxo
Yari
http://www.dreamgorgeously.com/
You went on a donut tour??? How awesome and delicious is that! YUM
XO,
Anna
http://www.blushingrosestyle.com
These look unreal!!!! I live in Boston and I must say it’s really hard to beat Union Square Donuts… If you visit Boston sometime soon you have to check out the Boston Public Market and get the Red Apple Farm apple cider donuts… They. Are. So. Good.
http://www.brunchonsunday.com
Thank you for choosing us! We are truly honored!!!
WOW! These look amazing. I might have to make a trip down to NJ in the very near future.
xo
Savannah
http://www.thesavvier.com
Donuts are also my favorite food group lol, and while I don’t live in New Jersey, I would love to make it to this donut shop some day! Love your blog, and if you would every like to collab, just shoot me an email, all my info is on my blog! Either way, keep up the amazing work!
https://imanandchloe.wordpress.com
oh my gosh, this post is amazing and SO unique. I have never seen so many wonderful and fancy donuts! I LOVE it and now need to go eat a donut. xx, Lauren
{www.rosesandrainboots.com}
OMG why did I read this?! Lol now I want donuts! I’m supposed to be eating healthy. Every one of them looks so good!
Liquor filled? sangria? nutella? Oh my goodness, my mouth is watering! I have such a soft spot for donuts and these sound amazing!!! I want to visit New Jersey now!
Emily
Darling, Dearest
Thank you so much for this guide! I’m heading up and down the east coast for some antique shopping this summer and I LOVE donuts! Will have to check this out!
they all sound amazing! if you’re ever in Atlantic City, they have tipsy donuts! I haven’t tried them but my husbands friends is always posting about them! oh and that army green jacket with the black denim on point! happy Friday!
I love donuts AND innovative menus so this is like heaven! That pistachio and petals donut looks incredibly delish!
Chelsea
Chow Down USA
Instagram
Oh my goodness, love this round up! My parents live in NJ so it sounds like I may need to visit a few of these spots when I make a trip down. The butterfinger one sounds amazing!!
xoxo, Jenna
Boston Chic Party
These look AMAZING!!! Donuts make everything better!
I love that you did this! I wish i could do the same in my hood, but honestly, I would probably eat them all and that would be good for no one! xo
Maggie
http://www.the-over-exposed.com
Glaze is my most favorite place in the whole world. They had opened one in Ridgewood (which is also my most favorite place in the whole world) and it made me so happy but then it got shut down (something to do with the town and the ovens??) but the New Milford location will always be the OG. There is also one in Wayne, too, but haven’t went there yet. The maple bacon is the best thing to ever have been created. Ever. LOL Besides the rainbow cookie donut, of course. 😉
The rainbow cookie donut is my all time fave! xo JW