yellow cake – Marie's Donut Diaries

Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts – Tastykake – Giant Eagle in Erie, PA but get them at any grocery or convenience store that is awesome

November 14, 2018November 14, 2018 mariesdonutdiaries

Quick check in because something epic is happening! My baby is taking her first nap in her crib!! So I ran downstairs to eat, which is surprisingly hard to accomplish, and decided to eat as many Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts from Tastykake that I could consume. That is one of the great perks of these bite-sized treats – you can shove at least 15 down your throat in about a minute.

Evidence of a sleeping baby in the crib! (77 degrees is hilarious….V inaccurate.)

If you’re from the Philadelphia area Tastykake is a brand you have probably loved your whole life because it is amazing and delicious. It’s like Little Debbie but better. It’s the same as Wawa being WAY better than Sheetz for people who know….

The bag to look for with the Tastykake label. It’ll be upright if someone didn’t already rip it open despite claiming to not like the same fat foods I like.

One of my greatest regrets in life is that I missed getting a tour of the Tastykake factory that they offered to the public. Since Tastykake has been around since 1914 and offering tours regularly, I didn’t put it at the top of my list of things to do when I lived in Philadelphia. When I finally called to book my tour of a little heaven and have the freshest Tatstykake I ever would have the privilege of eating, I was informed that they ended public tours because of insurance reasons only a month before I called. Sometimes life teaches you hard lessons.

Anyway, that baby nap was short lived. So here’s what it is before she starts to cry. Cake donuts that taste like dense, kind-of-dry-cake with generous powdered sugar that goes great on road trips, with hangovers, and for house guests that you don’t want to wake up and cook for in the wee hours of the morning. The closer you get to Philly, I find the fresher the quality of the donuts. Being over six hours away (or eight depending on how fast you drive – dad ❤ ) makes these slightly less fresh than a downtown Philly Tastykake (or Northeast Philadelphia if I am remembering correctly where their factory is located). If you’re craving sugar and convenience go buy a bag! You won’t (as long as you’re not a hater) be disappointed!

THE BREAKDOWN: Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts

Store: Giant Eagle in Erie or pretty much any convenience store or grocery store in Pennsylvania and beyond. I’m not sure how far beyond? Click here for a link to their store locator.

Cost: $2.99 per bag

What they want to highlight: They have tasty kakes?

What I thought was the highlight: I can eat 1,000+ calories in under a minute.

Rating out of 5 stars: 3

Would I buy it again?: Of course! Over and over again…

What could make it better?: Getting them in Philadelphia

So tiny and unassuming but full of greatness.

Stack of little wonder. (Not pictured – how many I actually ate.)

What other Tastykake snacks do you love? They make amaze pies (I like lemon and chocolate) and cupcakes (the traditional chocolate with white cream filling and that lacy top are somehow better than the competition) and a bunch of other on-the-go treats. How many bags can I get of these for Christmas? Leave a comment 🙂 Like my post 🙂 Follow my Instagram 🙂 Like my Facebook Page 🙂 SHARE THIS WITH A FRIEND (<—Would be the most awesome) 🙂

Donut Reviews

Blueberry and Coconut Cronut – Dominque Ansel Bakery – New York, NY Soho

August 10, 2018August 9, 2018 mariesdonutdiaries

So I basically took one of those European month long holidays away from writing that we actually can’t grasp the concept of in the United States. I’m included in the Americans who can’t comprehend a month-long vacation because I never stopped researching. From these research archives, why save the best for last?

I was lucky enough to have the July Cronut from Dominique Ansel Bakery in Manhattan. The bakery’s July order form describes the month’s cronut as Blueberry Coconut with Lemon Zest Sugar, filled with blueberry jam and coconut ganache. I preordered four of these lovely treats. The order form is intimidating with strict times for pick up and a warning to consume within 6 to 8 hours of purchase. But when you’re a donut-croissant hybrid with a trademarked name, I guess you have right to be a diva.

The cronut tension grew as I pulled into the *best* boro (in my opinion) and eventually drove down Spring Street in Soho looking for parking. My pick up time was 11 AM and I made good time leaving the Hamptons (Haaaaaaaamptons – yes, I dropped it and am not ashamed) but got worried when I saw the massive line in the bakery (you could have seen the bakery’s inside on my Instagram stories). Would I not make it through the crowd before my hour time window was up and my cronuts were sold off to the highest bidder? I got lucky again – it didn’t go down that way – it didn’t even look like I needed to preorder. I also don’t think I had to stand in that super long line and maybe the short line in the front would have been OK since it was a preorder but it was chaotic and my nerves got me nervous but more so I wanted more time to soak in the city so waiting was alright. When I finally showed my order paperwork and requested my cronut and an extra bonus DKA, the counter people were super nice by any standards and especially by NYC standards.

adult affection baby belly — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Me waiting patiently in line.

My food journey didn’t end there. Before I could consume the cronut within its short lifespan of freshness, I HAD to go to Magnolia Bakery. I drove over to the Bleeker Street location and about 15 tourists (not exaggerating) (also not including myself as a tourist lol) piled into the teeny storefront. I was like I don’t care if I wait another hour. I NEED THESE CUPCAKES. While the French talked amongst themselves and all I comprehended was “The Sex and the City,” (said just like they do when Carrie moves to Paris and disappoints her awaiting fans) I was able to cut everyone (in line – not with a knife) and get my dozen cupcakes. I tried the S’mores cupcakes and a blueberry lemon specialty cupcake but I recommend sticking with their basics – yellow cake with white or chocolate frosting or chocolate cake with white or chocolate frosting – which I did and I had many of them.

Original Beauty – chocolate cake with vanilla frosting – and OMG major epiphany I just had….is the little sugar flower they adorn many-a-cupcakes with a MAGNOLIA? So much clicking happening right now. You don’t understand what a moment of clarity feels like in the midst of baby brains unless you have had baby brains.

Enough with the backstory. Let’s break down the July Cronut from Dominique Ansel New York. It looks like a donut that is saying “I’m better than you” with a French accent. I didn’t let it talk back to me and consumed my first one in traffic in New Jersey so take that for a social status downgrade…. I was expecting a tastebud battle French and Indian War style when I took my first bite. There were no bombs or bayonets poking my taste buds. I took another bite. The dough was chewy but not like that chewy, gooey, flaky croissant or light fluffy donut cake chewy…more like old angel food cake chewy. 😦 I mean what else can I say? 😦 I didn’t get the “lemon zest sugar” flavor either and I LOVE FLAVORED SUGAR! Sugar on sugar with flavor sugar is ❤ but this sugar was not a flavor stack. It just tasted like sugar. The filling was where the love lived. The blueberry jam was smooth and authentic blueberry. No artificial nastiness or (vomit) chunks. I gave another kudos to jelly-filled pastries, which I have always basically despised. But the coconut ganache and the (I think it was coconut) frosting on top made the pastry. Coconut and ganache are like two peas in a pod – classy and fun and make for a great summertime dessert pair. The frosting was thick and placed perfectly circular on top. I’m convinced the pastry chef who ices the cronuts has never even SEEN Dunkin Donuts or some other mass-produced donut. It was frosting perfection and the consistency tasted just as good as it looked.

THE BREAKDOWN: Blueberry Jam and Coconut Ganache July 2018 Cronut

Store: Dominique Ansel Soho

Address: 189 Spring Street (between Sullivan and Thompson) New York, NY 10012

Cost: $6 each

What they want to highlight: They are the cronut originators. They have the name trademarked.

What I thought was the highlight: The DKA – I bought it because my friend said I had to have it and she liked it better. She was right. It had the croissant but not a croissant dough that the cronut could have had.

Rating out of 5 stars: 3.8

Would I buy it again?: Yes, because every month is a different flavor.

What could make it better?: If the dough texture tasted like a harmonious marriage of a cake donut dough and croissant. Instead, it tasted like an overworked pastry.

Look at the images below and tell me what you think by leaving a COMMENT below. AND let me know if you had the July Cronut or any other Dominique Ansel creation. Or just say hi. If you’re too shy, just like this post!

Everyone loves a box with symmetry and unique design.

Cronut Stack

Doesn’t look like the cross-section on Dominique Ansel’s Instagram but still delightful filling. *Oh also wanted to add I didn’t notice a lot of taste difference from the cronut I ate within an hour of picking up and the one I are 30 hours later. SO buy a lot and bring them back to your family far outside NYC and they will be loving you.

The DKA – doesn’t it look more like a Cronut than a Cronut? Loved the texture, flakiness, sweet outside. Grab a box of these for true pastry bliss. ❤

Donut Reviews

Mimi’s Donuts & Bakery, Kelly’s Bakery, Ross Bakery, The Donut Spot, Jupiter Coffee & Donuts, Central Pastry Shop – Day 1 – Butler County Donut Trail in Ohio

June 7, 2018June 6, 2018 mariesdonutdiaries

Donuts have totally been living through a pop culture moment. They’re on phone covers, t-shirts, and all kind of kitschy goods. Everyone wants to show off their donut love and Butler County in Ohio is taking full advantage of the trend. On National Donut Day, Friday, June 1, 2018, my mom and I set off across the lovely state of Ohio to travel the Butler County Donut Trail. After a mostly pleasant ride (minus construction and rain at the end – why does it always have to get bad at the end) we arrived in Hamilton, Ohio at the Courtyard Marriott Hamilton. They were nice enough to host us for the weekend and had a cute welcome basket for me when we got into the room. I was dead tired and we only had 5 hours to sleep available to get up and get on the trail. Unfortunately, my excitement for the donuts that were ahead kept me up and Saturday morning I was basically running on adrenaline and sugar. Here’s my sleep-deprived recollection of day 1 on the Donut Trail.

Stop 1 – Mimi’s Donuts & Bakery – 2267 Millvale Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013

I *think* the favorite donut here was named the Reese’s Donut. It had peanut butter filling, chocolate frosting, and a sprinkle of peanut butter flavor crunch on top. There were a lot of peanut butter filled donuts throughout the trail – most were called Buckeyes – but this was the best peanut butter filled available that we had.

They also had glazed donut holes – like the actual punctured out middle of a donut. I was just complaining about no good donut holes last week lol. These were soft and airy with a thin glaze shell. It’s how I remember donuts holes from DD being back in the day – but better.

The peanut butter donut on left and donut holes on right. Also pictured is a blueberry cake with lemon frosting and a jelly filled. The lemon frosting was real lemon tasting with a good sweetness and the jelly was jelly 🙂

Stop 2 – Kelly’s Bakery – 1335 Main St., Hamilton, OH 45013

The shop is cute with a retro/aqua/check floor design and obviously tons of delicious donuts to choose from on their racks. Of what I tried, I’d go with the fritter. It was better than the Mighty Fine fritter because it had a better texture and the sweetness crept into the crevices more delightfully.

I had my first cereal donut here – it was “like a cinnamon toast crunch” according to the girl at the counter. Cereal donuts are like the most trendy of the donut trend. I tasted it probably about 2 hours after we left the store and the cereal on top didn’t have much crunch left. It’s like the donuts are going through a phase – super trendy, looks intriguing, and doesn’t live up to the hype when you finally get it. The Buckeye was delicious – it’s peanut butter and chocolate I mean what could go wrong? 🙂

Zee winner from Kelly’s – Fritter Power.

Stop 3 – Ross Bakery – 1051 Eaton Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013

Ross Bakery was totally delightful – and there are 2 locations you can visit on the donut trail to qualify your passport. (Learn about the passport here.) Each shop had a Donut Trail sign (as shown in the image above) that you could take a picture with to commemorate your visit. I was amazed at how many people had their Donut Trail Passports. The majority of people we saw in the shops were on the Donut Trail and bringing in tons of cash for Butler County, OH.

Anyway, onto important things like DONUTS – the Pretzel Donut was the BEST. It was like eating one of those delicious rectangular pastries from the grocery store – like an Entenmann’s danish that comes in those long packages but THIS DONUT was in the shape of a pretzel, with glaze ❤ I could eat one a day. Also feeling Pretzel Donut’s trendy vibes – it’s non-binary – it doesn’t have to be a danish despite its dough having the look, feel, and taste of a danish because it calls itself a donut but presents as a pretzel. SO progressive.

I also had my second cereal donut from here. The Fruity Pebbles Donut is like EVERYWHERE – again the cereal was soggy and I think cereal is so delicious that it is best to be left as cereal. It photographs nicely though 🙂 And isn’t that all that reallllly matters in the world of clicks and trends? They also had Buckeye Donuts – the cake was very good on this one and had a Hershey Square on top (why is it called a square when it’s a rectangle?). The knotted donut also was super yum with crunch and layers of different dough textures. I say anything from here will be above average but eat your cereal separate.

My variety from Ross Bakery on the left and the WINNER – Pretzel Donut on the right ❤ I will be back for you someday…

Stop 4 – The Donut Spot – 5148 Pleasant Ave, Fairfield, OH 45014

Lines were out the door at the Donut Spot. And I get it – it was a small shop but had lots of delicious choices including one of my favs from day 1 – a cream cheese filled donut with white icing. It was bomb. The cake was unique and a great vanilla/yellow cake flavor and bouncy texture. The white frosting wasn’t layered on too thick so its sweetness wasn’t overwhelming. BUT THE FILLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was cream cheese like a Bavarian cream cheese filling that was filled throughout the insides from edge-to-edge. Cream cheese in every bite. My eyes were like ❤ ❤ Love is love and I loved it. I also am a major cream cheese lover so if you feel the same then get this donut! I also had an Oreo Donut from here. It was good. I liked it. I didn’t die over it but I can say that it didn’t taste just like a donut that had frosting and some Oreo thrown on as an afterthought. It had a little something special. So if you like something like an Oreo Thin maybe you’ll be into this.

The lovely cream cheese filled donut. Might have been called a Cheesecake Donut? Details don’t matter when you’re in love.

Oreoooooooooooooo.

Stop 5 – Jupiter Coffee & Donuts – 5353 Dixie Hwy # 5, Fairfield, OH 45014

Jupiter Coffee & Donuts – it’s trendy-ish, it’s got lots of breakfast pastry options, and better than average coffee (so says my mom). This shop holds a special place in my taste buds. They had a Raspberry Cheesecake Donut – so obvi I was pumped. Then I saw the emphasis was on the raspberry and not the cheesecake – that left me deflated. THEN! I ATE IT! And truly was impressed. I have a little chip on my shoulder when it comes to jelly filled donuts. They just aren’t it for me. Especially the chunky jelly I had in DD’s Royal Love donut. *Tears thinking about it* But Jupiter Coffee & Donuts restored all faith in jelly donuts. The filling was smooth, and sweet, and tasted like what a pastry filling should – a compliment to the soft delicious donut around it. If I was comparing it to a grocery store product it would be on frozen Toaster Strudel level – except this was fresh and 1,000 times better so maybe no comparison lol. And if you don’t like those but like jelly you’ll still love this donut. I also got a fried, glazed croissant. It pains me to knock a croissant or anything glazed, but I am going to err on the side of if this was fresh like out of the fryer, and especially if it was still warm it would be amazing. But after sitting on the shelf…pass. For me, Jupiter Coffee and Donuts was a fitting name for this shop because it was like another dimension – I loved the jelly filled and didn’t finish the glazed croissant.

Moon and Star? Planet and Rising Sun? Parallel Universe Donuts.

Best jelly donut if I had to say so 🙂

Stop 6 – Central Pastry Shop – 1518 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044

When we pulled up it looked like it wasn’t that busy but as soon as we entered the shop people started filtering in – all loyal Donut Trail travelers too. The shop stood apart from the rest as a true Donut Trail beacon. Not only were they the most friendly, they were the most excited to have donut trailers. The owner explained the geocaching that happy people on the Donut Trail were using to check in to each destination and was truly delighted when she exclaimed, “People are having the time of their lives out here!” She also had these maps that were only up for 4 days and already had tons of pins from all over the world.

So. Many. Pins. People are loving the Donut Trail. You will too 🙂

How cute are the backdrop and my mom? In the bottom left is a Passport from in stores. I didn’t see them at all the shops so I would print one online and pick this pretty one up if you see it. Oh and that’s me at the top. Looking ready to have some more donuts lol.

Highlights – Onto the donut. It was delicious. Almost like a crumb cake donut – pretty sure it was named an “Ugly.” I am bad with names. Very bad with names. Good at remembering details and how it made me feel though 🙂 This donut had crunchy parts and soft parts but it wasn’t a strudel. It was different. Unlike the others. A true original and stand out in textures and in the world of donuts – which not only resonated with their baked goods but the energy of the shop.

My back hurts but I can’t tell if it’s from walking today or extra bad heartburn. Tell yo friends (and yourself if you haven’t!) to SUBSCRIBE for more posts about the Butler County Donut Trail and all things donuts (or doughnuts if you’re sophisticated). Get you some.

Donut Reviews

Vanilla Cake Batter Donut – Dunkin’ Donuts – Erie, PA 12th Street Location

May 30, 2018 mariesdonutdiaries

Lovers of super sweet coffee drinks that don’t taste like coffee can start praising the angels that Dunkin’ Donuts’ ice cream flavored drinks are back. I got my medium Butter Pecan Iced Latte with Fat-Free Milk today and was over the moon with excitement. Plus, I had my free donut coupon that I couldn’t use last time I went because their system was down. I ordered my drink from the Order-On-The-Go DD app feature, which is nice because it gives you free drinks! So the bad news is you can’t use any free donut coupons if you order your donut on the app. I learned this the hard way. Also, if you order the donut at the drive-thru and the cashier adds the donut to your order then you get charged and they told me in the past there was “nothing they could do.” So I pulled up to the drive-thru, explained I ordered via app and that I have a free donut coupon I want to use at the window. I thought we were on the the same page…and when I pulled up like every other time, they charged me for the donut automatically. Between their system being down and the glitches in their app – Dunkin’ Donuts has SO MUCH DRAMA. If they were to fall in to a person category they would be a cougar – established, shiny and pretty attracting millennials daily but kind of a hot mess underneath and you might not want to get tooooo close. Luckily, this cashier asked her manager to help refund me and was very kind and apologetic. The manager seemed annoyed – I realize it is only $.99 but um the chances of me paying for a DD donut are slim. Anyway, that’s my gripe. Beware free donut lovers. Don’t get fooled.

Now on June 1, National Donut Day, you will get a free donut with the purchase of a beverage so go live it up and get yo-self a free treat. Like “treat yourself.” That’s a thing people say now to excuse bad behavior like buying $45 lipstick when they can’t pay their rent or eating…a donut.

So onto the donut – Vanilla Cake Batter. I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone that I love to eat dough and batter and anything else sickeningly sweet. One of my favorite delicacies as a child was scooping out some butter flavored Crisco and then coating the Crisco with brown sugar. I still like that and I’m terribly disappointed there is so much negativity around cookie dough and cake batter eating because of the raw egg. Idk what happens? Salmonella? Whatdoesthatevenmean? But to make sure me and the baby stay salmonella free, I have avoided raw dough. 😦 So the good part of this donut is the vanilla cake batter filling **************************AMAZING******************************** It’s sugar shock sweet and textural like a batter or dough might be and I hearted it v much. The bad part is it’s a smaller dollop of filling than a cheap restaurant gives you of a side of guac 😦 Maybe I am a filling fiend but still fiending nonetheless. The dough was DD standard – sweet and light and tasted fresh so all stars there. The frosting was OK tasting but more pretty than anything with the sprinkles that were also OK. I’ll definitely try the chocolate cake batter donut next.

THE BREAKDOWN: Vanilla Cake Batter Donut

Store: Dunkin’ Donuts lives here online

Address: 2545 W 12th St, Erie, PA 16505

Cost: FREE with my coupon after some drama

What they want to highlight: Supposedly not their donuts anymore. I heard they will be called just Dunkin’ and will reduce their donut selection to focus on their drinks. Honestly, as sad as that makes me because I love donuts – they definitely have the right idea. I just wish they would make their donuts BETTER and then the drinks and donuts could live in harmony.

What I thought was the highlight: The Butter Pecan Iced Latte is ALWAYS the highlight. But the filling of the donut was the best part of the confection.

Rating out of 5 stars: 3.5 – if you never find yourself saying “this is too rich” you might give this donut a 4+. It just needed more richness for me lol

Would I buy it again?: Yes! I would “buy it” for free again.

What could make it better?: More filling!

What is your favorite raw dough? Do you think Dunkin’ Donuts’ drinks are better than their donuts? Can you call it just Dunkin’? COMMENT BELOW! And sign up for the mailing list if you haven’t already.

Some glamour shots of the Vanilla Cake Batter Donut from DD.

Official portrait of my breakfast. Looks more regal than the Royal Love Donut, don’t you think?

Uncategorized

Butler County, Ohio Donut Trail – A Day Without Donuts Again but Add in Cake

May 14, 2018 mariesdonutdiaries

So my friends on Facebook started tagging me on a post about the Butler County, Ohio Donut Trail. The lovely trail takes you to 12 donut shops and if you get your “passport” stamped by each, then you can mail in your passport you downloaded from the Donut Trail website and get a free t-shirt.

Super fun and I plan on driving this donut trail this ASAP. Cheesecake donut is a priority for me. Butler County, Ohio is about 5 hours away from Erie but would be a nice road trip. The Butler County site warns that shops may close when they sell out and many sell out before 10AM. Fingers crossed I can hit up all the stops and get a free shirt. I think anyone taking this who wants to complete will have to plan a little extra – meaning factoring in store timing and what order they would like to travel for the donuts. Why would you follow the 1 – 12 on the map above? lol

September 1, 2018 you can bike the approximate 80-mile Donut Trail Cycle Challenge and get donuts along the bike route. I totally would just opt for this but it’s so close to my due date that it probs isn’t the best idea to have a baby, on bicycle, with a dozen donuts in hand.

Here is the link to get all the donut shops, your own passport, and all other info: Butler County, Ohio Donut Trail Website.

I couldn’t review a donut today because I OD’d on food during Mother’s Day. I did, however, sneak in a Dunkin Donuts Iced Caramel Swirl Latte today. On the DD receipt, they give you the option to fill out a survey and get a free donut. I think any free donut is a great donut so watch out DD – coming for you and that Royal Donut next.

I know – my photography skills are amazing. Don’t let my skills fool you – this cake is worth missing a donut for today. Wegman’s yellow cake, raspberry filling, whipped cream frosting, buttercream decor. Da best!

The newest and most experienced moms from my family – me and grandma ❤

What I did this morning instead of eating donuts – Presque Isle walk.

Morning walk – donuts + cake = same as every other day.