I know, I know… like you actually need an excuse to eat a donut… but June 3rd is a day worth celebrating! Donuts are like dessert for breakfast. No wonder why both kids and adults love them! National Donut Day has been around since 1938 and falls on the first Friday of June. I actually think donuts are one of those rare things that get better with time. The sweet treat has developed into an art of sorts.
In honor of the holiday, here is where you can find the best donuts in Cedar Rapids:
Donutland – 4307 Center Point Road NE & 1010 3rd St SE
Donutland is the OG of donuts in my opinion. Cedar Rapids is home to one of the last remaining Donutlands of what was once a large franchise. The best part about it is that they make their donuts fresh daily. They are no frills when it comes to classic, delicious donuts. The trendy crazy donut flavors people post on Instagram are fun, but I’ll take a classic glazed donut from Donutland with a cup of hot black coffee to dip it in over an “insta-donut” any day.
Hurts Donut – 1301 5th St STE 105 Coralville
Have you ever tried bacon on a donut? What about fruit loops? A toasted marshmallow? You can try all of the above at Hurts. Don’t worry about the little drive over to Coralville. Hurts opens early and closes late. Order the Andes mint donut to have with your morning coffee and thank us later.
Dunkin’: Various locations
You should be able to score a free donut in honor of national donut day at any of the Cedar Rapids Dunkin’ locations. They haven’t announced it on their socials yet this year, but they usually offer one to customers for this delectable day. *Bonus* you can get an iced coffee to go with it! They may have removed the “Donuts” from their name, but they didn’t remove the fact that they can still do them deliciously.
Hy-Vee: Various locations
Iowa’s most dependable grocery store for cheese, wine, and their salad bar (iykyk) does everything right… including their donuts. Next time you are making your weekly grocery run, let the smells wafting from the bakery influence you to walk over and treat yourself. They usually have all the classics and even a few unique flavors in the case.
Casey’s or Kwik Star: Various locations
Okay, is it just me or have convenience stores really upped their game when it comes to the food they offer? I tried a pecan donut pastry from Casey’s the other day that tasted *just* like pecan pie. Kwik Star has it’s own version of a classic glazed that if you close your eyes you’d swear it was a Krispy Kreme.
Area Farmers Markets
Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, and even Alburnett all have their own farmers markets that are starting up again as we get into the spring and summer. In my opinion, the donuts you can find at these should make the top of this list. Local, fresh, and delicious donuts are quick to go on Saturday mornings at the market downtown. So make sure to arrive early and grab your donuts first!
P.s. It’s worth noting that there is actually another Donut day that falls in November. There are some loyalists who believe the June holiday is the “real” Donut Day. They are probably the same people who are committed to only spelling it like “doughnut.” I think I will just have to celebrate Donut/Doughnut Day twice!
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