6 Local Shops Creating Dozens of Donuts with Inspired Flavors
Little Lucy’s, Master Donuts, Bougie’s and more bakeries bring originality and playfulness to the sweet treat
By Britni Rachal
Photos by Holly Cowart
Lola’s
Strawberry Cereal Milk
Award-winning Lola’s has an assortment of unique donut creations, including the Strawberry Cereal Milk donut. Decked in sprinkles of all assortments, this pink Brioche donut is not only pretty, but it’s uniquely dipped in strawberry-infused cereal milk for a creative taste. Located on the east side, off Manor Rd., Lola’s is open Friday-Sunday. With more than a dozen regular flavors offered, another donut worth mentioning is the Coffee Toffee, a Brioche donut that’s sprinkled with espresso glaze and topped with locally made Toni’s coffee.
lolasdonutsatx.com
Bougie’s
Lemon Lavender
Located in Southwest Austin, Bougie’s is a unique, upscale donut shop with a full-service coffee and espresso bar. Elevating the traditional donut experience, Bougie’s boasts several unique flavors including the Lemon Lavender, a fresh cake donut finished with house-made lemon icing, lemon zest and lavender buds. This is a fresh and spring-like flavor that’s featured year-round. Other donuts worth mentioning are the maple bacon cake donut and the chocolate bacon donut, each topped with smoked, thick cut applewood bacon.
bougiesdonuts.com
Little Lucy’s
The Schnauzer
Boasting 24 coated sugar flavors and six dipping sauces, Little Lucy’s donut food truck has become an Austin staple over the last few years. Found in a food truck at the Domain and Rainey Street, patrons can order a bag of mini donuts paired with their sugar dusting of choice along with Nutella, chocolate, caramel, raspberry, white chocolate or honey dipping sauce. Incredibly unique, the sugar coatings also bear the name of dog breeds — everything from the Maltese to the Saint Bernard. A top seller, the Schnauzer features pistachio, lavender and vanilla. Served hot and fresh, these mini donuts are made-to-order.
littlelucys.com
The Salty Donut
Churro + Dulce De Leche Star
One of Austin’s newest donut shops, The Salty Donut focuses on chef-made, small-batch craft donuts. The shop’s Brioche donuts are made with a special recipe that requires 24 hours of prep time. Some of the most unique pastries rotate seasonally, but others are on the menu daily, including Churro + Dulce De Leche Star. Covered in cinnamon sugar, filled with whipped dulce de leche, this star-shaped donut started as a seasonal item, but was so popular, The Salty Donut now offers it year-round.
saltydonut.com/austin
Master Donuts
Custom Creations
What makes Master Donuts so special is the way donut creations are decorated. Bright and colorful, these custom sugary treats can be ordered in “letter form” — to send a message to a loved one on a special day. Located on Riverside and perfect for any occasion, the donuts can also be made to look like animals or other fun and festive objects. Use your imagination, and a dedicated pastry chef will help bring your donut dreams to life. Also, if you’d rather pop in and try a random flavor, the shop is also known for its daily creations including a classic chocolate with purple icing and topped with fruity pebbles.
masterdonutsatx.com
Angel Donuts
Green Tea Iced Mochi
In Northwest Austin, Angel Donuts is a shop designed to reflect current trends in Austin, while also paying tribute to the city’s past. A treat from East Asia, the mochi donut is a popular choice. Made with all vegan ingredients and fried in plant-based shortening, the mochi donut is considered a “hybrid sweet treat.” Made of a special blend of rice flour, the donuts are slightly chewy and mochi-like on the inside. Angel Donut’s mochi donuts are currently available in strawberry, green tea, lemon and taro.