June 4 is National Doughnut Day! While the origin of the doughnuts is up for debate, the donut as we know it today—in all of its fluffy, sweet, rainbow sprinkled goodness—is said to have been created in around 1830. Nowadays, doughnuts are one of the most popular desserts around the world, and the flavour profile has come a long way from the classic old-fashioned donut.
In honour of National Doughnut Day, here are five donut shops across Canada that do a fantastic job of honouring this sweet treat.
1. Glory Hole Doughnuts
Established in 2012, Glory Hole Doughnuts specializes in creating cream-filled doughnuts with seasonal ingredients, all made by hand. While Boston cream is a fan favourite, Glory Hole Doughnuts takes the flavour profile up a notch with creations like blueberry cheesecake and their strawberry rhubarb jam donut. This donut shop has two locations in Toronto and currently has an e-commerce platform in place. Customers can pre-order online, or order for delivery. From cake doughnuts to yeast doughnuts, and even vegan doughnuts, this is the go-to spot for filled doughnuts in Toronto.
Cost: $27 for half-dozen or $108 for 36 mini doughnuts
Address: 596 Queen St. W, Toronto and 1505 Gerrard St. E, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-4848
2. Lee’s Donuts
Tucked away inside Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market, Lee’s Donuts is a mom-and-pop donut shop with humble beginnings. Since 1979, Lee’s continues to make all of its donuts based on the original recipes developed by its founders and entrepreneurs, Alan and Betty-Ann Lee. Lee’s Donuts specializes in classic donuts. They have over 30 on the menu, from glazed, to filled, to dipped, sprinkled, even dusted with toppings like coconut flakes and peanuts. Operating on a year-round business model, Lee’s also serves rotating seasonal flavours, like their Peach Crumble donut. Gift cards are available for in-store purchases, which is a great way to support small businesses whose hours are affected due to COVID-19.
Cost: $2.50 per donut, $13.25 per half-dozen, or $25 per dozen.
Address: Inside Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-685-4021
3. Jelly Modern Doughnuts
Located in Calgary, Alberta, Jelly Modern Doughnuts is one of Canada’s first-ever gourmet donut shops. Using high-quality ingredients and unconventional flavour profiles, the company takes an artisanal approach to donut making. All the doughnuts are made without the use of preservatives, with organic ingredients whenever possible, sourced from local small businesses. Flavours range from hand-filled maple bacon, to hand-dipped Madagascar bourbon vanilla, to whoopie pie. Jelly Modern Doughnuts currently has three locations in Calgary, and also has a location in Toronto. The shop offers online catering and delivery services, as well as curbside pick-up for customers.
Cost: $33.95 per dozen, $38.95 for 16 three bite doughnuts
Address: Calgary Flagship Jelly, #100, 1414 8 Street SW, Calgary
Phone: 403-453-2053
4. Oh Doughnuts
With a fully functioning online ordering platform, Oh Doughnuts, based in Winnipeg, offers handmade, gourmet doughnuts using a mix of local and organic ingredients. Oh Doughnuts is a great example of a small business that has shifted to an online business model during the pandemic. They’ve integrated a “shop” button on its website that allows customers to select from roughly 25 different doughnuts. They include several vegan-friendly options, like lemon lavender, as well as gluten-free options, like chai glaze. Customers can then select a date for pick-up or delivery, and make a secure payment online using an approved credit card.
Cost: From $3.25 per donut
Address: 326 Broadway, Winnipeg and 3-1194 Taylor Ave, Winnipeg
Phone: 204-477-1276
5. San Remo Bakery
This family-run bakery in Toronto has been making donuts by hand for over 40 years. Donuts come in regular and jumbo sizes, and they’re so popular that San Remo Bakery usually sells out by mid-day! More than 20 flavours are available, including classics like chocolate sprinkle donut, and specialty filled donuts like lemon meringue or wild berry. A jumbo donut, roughly the size of a small cake, is the perfect way to really celebrate National Donut Day!
Cost: $12.99 per half-dozen, $22.99 per dozen, $50 for a jumbo donut
Address: 374 Royal York Road, Toronto
Phone: 416-255-2808
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