Mmm….Donuts from the Doughnut Plant

Sometime in the mid to late 90s, my sister got an alarm clock for her birthday. It was a statue of Homer Simpson, and when it was time to wake you up, the Homer said 'œMmmmmmm. Donuts.' Like this: Mmm Donuts

I had forgotten about this alarm clock, but when I walked into Doughnut Plant yesterday, there was Homer’s voice '“ filling my mind like the voice of God '“ Mmm. Donuts!

Doughnut Plant has hands down some of the most delicious donuts I have ever had the pleasure to try.  A small bakery on the edge of LES/Chinatown, I first discovered Doughnut Plant from my friend Nadia who works at the Union Square Farmer’s Market.  One of the farmers had mentioned to her that they had sold their lavender to Doughnut Plant for their Lavender Glazed Yeast Doughnut. She rushed out to try them! And then rushed out to share em with me! They were moist, with a melt-in-your-mouth earthy lavender glaze. We were sold. Another huge hit with us was the White Peach (or Nectarine, I don’t remember) Glazed Cake Doughnut. Oh So GOOD! Fresh like the first bite of a nectarine, sweet and a little tangy, but filling and seriously not healthy at all. It was a perfect end of the summer treat.

There are two different kind of doughnuts at the Doughnut Plant '“ yeast and cake. The yeast is smaller and more delicate. The cake doughnuts are like the traditional big, white flour donuts you find at Dunkin. I prefer the yeast doughnuts. (The cake is a little too bready for me).

Doughnut Plant’s menu changes frequently. Yesterday my favorites were the Apple Cinnamon Yeast, and the Peanut Butter with Strawberry Jam Cake, and the Tres Leches Yeast. I am not an apple cinnamon fan usually, but ah these were euphoric! Pieces of real apple glazed on the top, not too cinnamony… And the Peanut Butter & Jelly was also a wonderful surprise. Usually jelly donuts overwhelm me with jelly, but they did this one right. With just a thin stripe of jelly inside, it blended perfectly with the peanut glaze. The Tres Leches is just like a Tres Leches cake, but in doughnut form. (How can you go wrong there?) My boyfriend enjoyed two chocolate yeast doughnuts: the Valrhona Chocolate and the Blackout, and we shared a Crème Brule ball. I missed the fruity and herbal touches of my original summer favorites, but these will probably be getting me through the winter this year.

I’m not the only Broke-Ass who loves Doughnut Plant!  Check out Laura and Stuart’s posts on sweet, edible New York things.  Oh yeah, and remember that Broadway play we gave FREE tickets away for?  Superior Donuts?  They’re selling Doughnut Plant donuts during intermission.  Another incentive to hit up TKTS!