Ever since attending Donut Fest 2019 in Chicago, I’ve been obsessed with the sugary treats. Donut Fest, which was founded in 2014 and occurs in cities across the United States, introduced me to a world beyond the shelves of Dunkin’ Donuts. I can now name countless methods for making donuts, and a variety of unique flavor combinations. But most importantly, I learned how to distinguish what’s just good in the donut world from what’s superior.
The day-long extravaganza celebrates all things donut: the creamy, the frosty, and the downright delicious. It also rallies top bakers in the business around the beloved pastry. The vendors who participate in Donut Fest are the best of the best from city where the event is being held. Each participating bakery showcased at the Chicago Donut Fest had won awards at the event itself in addition to receiving other accolades from publications like the Chicago Tribune and Thrillist.
If you’re ever hankering for a mouthful of rainbow sprinkles and chocolate glaze, you can’t go wrong with any of the Chicago donut shops featured at Donut Fest 2019. Head to one of the distinguished shops listed below to taste its signature bakes and creative flavors.
Stan's Donuts
Stan’s red-velvet donut is a perfect balance between rich and creamy. Just ask those who attended Donut Fest; they voted Stan’s chocolate-covered red velvet donut “Best Cake.” But the bakery’s other varieties are scrumptious, too. Stan’s Donuts has over 20 flavors to choose from, some of which are gluten-free or vegan. If you want a real sugar rush, take a road trip across Illinois and visit all 11 Stan’s Donuts locations.
Huck Finn
Though Huck Finn took home the award for “Best Classic Donut” at Chicago’s 2019 Donut Fest, it wasn't so easy to pick which flavor to try. At the vendor’s table, tiered displays showcased coconut-topped, powder sugar and rainbow sprinkle donuts, while trays held full-sized devil's food cake and crumb cake assortments. It was overwhelming, but in the best possible way
Gurnee Donuts
At Gurnee Donut’s table at Donut Fest, attendees were not allowed to try bakery’s Horchata pastry until it was topped with an extra spray of the spicy flavor. It’s no wonder this donut was a Judge’s Choice runner up at the event; it’s original and absolutely delicious.
Downstate Donuts
Traditionally, donuts contain basic ingredients like flour, sugar and butter, right? Not according to Downstate Donuts. The number one ingredient in this bakery’s donuts is potatoes. Potatoes, and sometimes sweet potatoes, give these donuts a moist texture, while natural ingredients like organic cocoa and fruit juice amp up the flavors. There’s no question why Downstate Donuts took home the #1 prize at Donut Fest: Judge’s choice "Best Donut."
Beavers Coffee and Donuts
If I had to give this bakery a prize, it would be for “worlds cutest donuts.” At Donut Fest, Beavers showed off its bite-sized mini donuts that were conveniently skewered by mini toothpicks - no sticky fingers, no sugar-covered lips, just pure happiness. The mini donuts were being rolled in cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar and cocoa powder before attendees’ eyes. Luckily, you don’t have to leave home to enjoy this treat if you live in the Chicago area; Beavers delivers straight to your door.
Longman & Eagle
“Eat, Sleep, Donut” is not only a phrase to live by. It's a play on the company’s slogan, “eat, sleep, drink.” Longman & Eagle is a “contemporary take on a traditional Chicago inn." It's comprised of a farm-to-table restaurant, six rooms for overnight stays, and an extensive spirits menu. While donuts are only one part of this multifaceted operation, Donut Fest attendees are grateful. Longman & Eagle won “Most Creative Donut” at the 2019 event.
GBD Cakes and Sweets
Each of this family-run bakery’s donuts are more beautiful than the next. GBD Cakes and Sweets won the “Most Attractive” award at Donut Fest for their s’mores flavor, and also showed off rainbow sprinkle and toasted coconut selections. Exploring GBD’s Instagram page revealed the gorgeous custom cakes the company makes, in addition to the fact that GBD won Food Network’s Cake Wars a few years ago.
Firecakes Donuts
Firecakes Donuts are not only famous for their Tahitian vanilla iced flavor, which won “Best Raised” donut at Donut Fest. It’s also famed for donut ice cream sandwiches sold in stores. Customers can visit one of Firecakes’ many locations and build a donut ice cream sandwich by choosing a donut and ice cream flavor, as well as toppings like hot fudge and candied peanuts. Don’t forget to follow Firecakes on Twitter, too. Its donut food truck is always on the move, spreading sweet treats across Chicago.
D&D’s Place
Attendees flooded D&D’s Place’s table at Donut Fest for two obvious reasons: the owners’ infectious energy and the size of the bakery’s gigantic Texas apple fritter. Besides winning “Crowds Choice” at the event, D&D’s Place introduced the crowd to ingenious flavors like homemade caramel, fresh strawberry and hot chocolate. One bite of D&D’s donuts, and one conversation with the passionate owners, and you’ll be hooked.
Roeser’s Bakery
Roeser’s Bakery had the largest spread of donuts at Donut Fest, but it captivated attendees with one flavor overall: blueberry cake donuts. The pasties were literally overflowing with fresh berries and the vanilla glaze dripping of the sides was mesmerizing. Also captivating were Roeser’s raspberry jam and custard filled donuts. Really, you can’t go wrong with Roeser’s.
West Town Bakery
West Town Bakery’s table was the first one attendees saw when they entered Donut Fest. And its chocolate glazed, rainbow sprinkle covered donuts made an amazing first impression; they are the image one thinks of when someone says “donut.” West Town bakes up a storm at its Chicago locations every day, offering customers brownies, cookies and pies galore. Do I hear, “Can get a cake ball and donut just for me, please?”
Besides directing foodies to the best donuts in Chicago, the most amazing part of Donut Fest is watching your once empty tray fill to the brim with the vendors’ treats. Some people even bring Tupperware containers to Donut Fest so they can save the donuts they couldn’t get to for later!
Be on the lookout for when Donut Fest takes Chicago by storm in 2020, but in the meantime, visit each of the bakeries featured at the event for a similar sugar high.