Dreaming of doughnuts: A deep-hearted dedication to that decadent, doughy delight
They’re the reward for waking up early. They’re the sweet counterpoint to bitter black coffee. They’re eminently affordable but immensely delicious. They’re an all-American favorite with variations from all around the world. They’re doughnuts! Everybody loves ’em. And here’s proof: An essay about why doughnuts are awesome might seem redundant, but you love doughnuts so much you’ll read on anyway.
Doughnuts are so delicious, the late, great culinary icon Anthony Bourdain thought children needed to be protected from their siren song. He once called out television chef Rachael Ray for hawking Dunkin’ Donuts. “It’s like endorsing crack for kids,” he told Outside magazine. Sure, we can all agree that kids shouldn’t do drugs. And yet, Bourdain’s comparison made me reach for a jelly-filled.
Doughnuts are magical because they’re simultaneously one thing (doughnuts) and everything (glazed, frosted, chocolate, twist, etc.). You order a dozen, and no two are the same. A doughnut is a blank canvas just waiting to be shaped into endless varieties. The palette is oh so sweet: sugars, creams, jellies, candies, sprinkles and more. Doughnuts meld with pretty much any culinary tradition (see: cronuts, kolaches, churros and green tea doughnuts). And as the new trend for high-end specialty doughnuts (hello, Saint Honoré Doughnuts & Beignets) arrives on the scene, the kaleidoscope of doughnut options turns once again to reveal ever more beautiful creations.
Doughnuts are democratizing. In a country where income inequality is soaring and big box stores push out the little guys, a regular family can still start a doughnut shop and make a good living. Las Vegas is dotted with moms and pops who wake up before dawn to serve the community. And these small businesses are often immigrant-owned, leaving the doughnut as a rare attainable example of the American Dream.
Doughnuts are a spontaneous joy. It takes real commitment to bake (or heck, even order) a cake. It’s big; it’s generally all one flavor. You need an army of like-minded folks to consume it. Doughnuts can be a group effort, but they’re just as easily a solo expedition. There’s no greater joy than stopping for one en route to work, just because.
Doughnuts are cheap enough to be an anytime snack. Coffee shop prices have skyrocketed, but most doughnut joints seem lost in time, price-wise. Many of the best shops are cash only, but you should be able to get your fix with a fiver.
Doughnuts are joy. My personal favorites are doughnut holes, those miniature universes of goodness that don’t make you feel (as) guilty. You surely have a favorite, too, and I respect your choice. The Weekly staff has had spirited discussions as to the superiority of yeast or cake doughnuts. We can’t agree, because everybody’s right. With doughnuts, we all win.
Pinkbox Doughnuts Fun and whimsical doughnuts—like the Unicorn, Pooh and Flaming Red Head—are the stars at this local chain. Multiple locations, pinkboxdoughnuts.com.
