LOCAL: New Jersey’s Best Donuts

Donuts are my favorite food group.

When we moved from Boston down to New Jersey (almost two years ago – my how time flies!), I was sad to be leaving my favorite donuts, from Union Square Donuts.  They sold them in our parking lot EVERY sunday at SOWA, a Sunday market in the South End.  Every week I would wander down and try a different flavor.

Fortunately, after moving down from Boston and doing meticulous research, I was pleasantly surprised to find that New Jersey was home to some really special donut shops! I have made it my mission to try as many of them as I can. In the last year we have hit up five shops, all of them different and decadent.

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook as we find out about new shops and make our way out to them! I use the hashtag #agirlandherdonut. I know. So clever.

Purple Glaze – Asbury Park, NJ

A few Sundays ago it was raining cats and dogs. E and I couldn’t sit in the apartment anymore so, like any normal couple would, we hopped in the car and drove down to Asbury Park for donuts! I had heard about Purple Glaze from some friends on Instagram.  I couldn’t wait to try them out!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owners. We mentioned that we drove from South Orange just to try their donuts and they were SHOCKED!  We were amazed by how many different flavors they had to offer. The donuts are made to order and decorated right in front of you. It was so fun to watch. We ordered a Key Lime Pie, a Holey Cannoli, a Butterfinger, and a Raspberry White Chocolate Glazed donut. Four donuts. Two People. Totally normal.

The donuts were fried to perfection. The Butterfinger and Key Lime Pie were our personal favorites. Would we drive all the way back down to Asbury Park just for donuts again? ABSOLUTELY.

Jacket: Everlane, Shirt: Everlane, Jeans: J.Brand, Necklace: Ariel Gordon JewelryRings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry, Watch: Freedom to Exist

Glaze Donuts – New Milford, NJ

If you have been on Facebook any time in the last two months, you have definitely seen the infamous Rainbow Cookie Donut from Glaze Donuts. They were recently featured on Good Morning America and Thrillist. After the features, what was already a very popular donut is now impossible to get your hands on.

Luckily, E and I visited Glaze back in November, before anyone else really knew about it!  We ordered a half dozen donuts, a variety of course.  E ordered a Maple Bacon and Cannoli, while I ordered a half Rainbow Cookie Donut as well as a Blueberry Crumb, Nutella Filled, a Red Velvet and FINALLY an Apple Fritter. Don’t worry. We shared with friends.

The Rainbow Cookie Donut was just as amazing as I thought it would be. Spread between the different colors is a thin layer of raspberry jam. While delicious, I am happy I only ordered a half donut. I had to leave room to try the others!

Jacket: Everlane, Shirt: J.Crew, Jeans: J.Brand, Watch: Uniform Wares

Montclair Bread Company – Montclair, NJ

I am a BIG Food Network fan and an avid watcher of Donut Showdown. So when I found out that the chef at the Montclair Bread Company won big on Donut Showdown I had to visit and try a few of their donuts for myself.

We arrived on Sunday morning and there was a line out the door! Always a good sign. I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by the array of flavors. E and I selected two of their seasonal flavors, the Margarita and the Sangria donut. Who doesn’t love a liquor spiked donut in the morning?! While the Sangria donut was quite tasty, the Margarita donut was the true winner. The sugar rim and lime filling was DELICIOUS. I think I may have found my new favorite donut in New Jersey…

Next time I am definitely going to try the Nutella filled and Pistachio and Petals donuts. Both looked amazing and were flying off the shelves!

Shirt: Everlane, Sunglasses: Toms, Jacket: Madewell (old, similar HERE), Rings: Ariel Gordon JewelryShirt: Everlane, Jeans: American Eagle, Bag: Mansur Gavriel (similar HERE), Sunglasses: Toms, Jacket: Madewell (old, similar HERE), Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry

Brownie Point’s Bakery – Summit, NJ

While some might say that this is not a true donut, I am not one of those people. The Duffin (donut + muffin) has won a spot in my donut loving heart. Every Sunday in Summit, Brownie Point’s Bakery sells their famous Duffins at the Summit Farmer’s Market and every week I don’t order one. A few weeks ago I just couldn’t resist. The jelly filled Duffin was calling my name!

You know how muffins and cupcakes are generally dry once you eat the muffin top…well the Duffin is moist throughout. And now I will never be able to successfully avoid ordering one ever again!

Jacket: J.Crew (old, similar HERE), Shirt: J.Crew, Jeans: American Eagle, Sunglasses: Toms, Bag: Lo & Sons, Watch: Freedom to Exist, Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry

Palmers Sweetery and Cafe – Maplewood, NJ

One of our FAVORITE pizza places, Arturo’s, is located in Maplewood. It unfortunately is everyone’s favorite as well…We don’t get to go very often, as there is usually a long line. Last Sunday we were in Maplewood really early (around 11:30AM) so we decided to take a chance. We got lucky and they had a table for two! After devouring our ricotta crostini and kale caesar salads we were ready for dessert.

Palmers Sweetery and Cafe just opened right down the street from Arturo’s. I have been wanting to try ALL of their baked goods. I noticed that they had posted a photo of donuts on their Instagram account that morning. Of course we had to go for dessert. I selected a Nutella donut with little crunch balls on top. IT WAS AMAZING. I let E have one bite. The rest was all for me. I can’t wait to see what else Palmer’s has in store for us!Top: Alternative Apparel, Bag: Mansur Gavriel, Sunglasses: Toms

RSK Doughnuts – Stone Harbor, NJ

Last summer, we visited Stone Harbor down the Jersey Shore for a long weekend. Just as we were about to pack up and head back to South Orange, we noticed the Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market was opening. I can’t help myself when I see a farmer’s market. We wandered on through and found RSK Doughnuts. As luck would have it, we were there during peak peach season. They were serving their freshly fried bite size doughnuts with a peach jam on the side. The PERFECT summer bite. I can’t wait to visit RSK again this summer!

Shirt: Urban Outfitters (old, similar HERE), Necklace: Stella and Dot, Sunglasses: Toms, Rings: Ariel Gordon Jewelry