Nicole Danna| Special to the Palm Beach Post
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National Donut Day is this week, and what better way to celebrate your passion for fresh-baked pastries than with a box of deep-fried deliciousness?
This food holiday is more than just an exaltation of deep-fried dough, however. It's also a patriotic remembrance of The Salvation Army volunteers who, in 1938, doled out doughnuts to American soldiers serving in the front line trenches of World War I.
In homage to their contribution, the first Friday of June was declared National Donut day, one that honors veterans, women, and — of course — the beloved American treat.
While some of us might run on Dunkin', or appreciate the perfection of a glazed Krispy Kreme, there are plenty of local shops that offer truly delicious doughnuts.
Whether it's cake or yeast, glazed or filled, brioche or some trendy new confection, here are our picks for the five best doughnuts in Palm Beach County.
The Salty
460 S. Rosemary Ave., suite 170, West Palm Beach, 561-933-1522, saltydonut.com
Nothing quite says National Donut Day like a trip to The Salty. What began as a young couple slinging Miami's first craft doughnuts from a 1950s Aljoa camper has since grown to become one of the area's most sought-after treats.
Since opening their first shop in Wynwood in 2016, founders Andy Rodriguez and Amanda Pizarro-Rodriguez have expanded the brand to more than 15 locations known for their flavorful assortment of brioche, cake, and gluten-free doughnuts ($3.50-$4.95).
An ever-changing menu means you can also find specialty seasonal selections featuring Salty's 24-hour brioche that bakes up into large, fluffy doughnuts designed to deliver decadent fillings and toppings.
Visit the West Palm Beach shop and you can't go wrong with year-round Salty favorites like the vanilla cake doughnut dipped in a brown butter glaze and topped with Maldon sea salt or an homage to tres leches, a white chocolate bottom-crusted brioche doughnut soaked in a homemade, rum-infused three milk mixture and topped with a torched, vanilla-infused meringue. On Friday, enjoy one-day-only deals at all Salty locations including $5 off a half-dozen, $10 off a dozen, and free delivery on orders placed through the official Salty app.
Anna Bakes
10120 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, 561-766-1742, annabakesfl.com
Local baker Anna Ross's pandemic-born, home-based pop-up began in 2020 and is now a permanent presence with her very own bakeshop alongside Candid Coffee founders Bryan and Megan Jenkins.
Ross, who garnered fame for her themed pastry boxes of sweet and savory pastries sold out of her Boynton Beach home, also makes a truly craveable fried brioche doughnut.
Available only on weekends at the Wellington shop, ever-changing flavors include seasonally-inspired offerings or popular favorites like honey-lavender, key lime, ube, and tiramisu ($6.25).
To celebrate National Donut Day, Ross will be offering a box of four limited-edition cake donuts. Priced at $24, it will include s'mores, carrot cake, key lime, and cookie dough, with each also available a la carte.
Paris Baguette
1911 S. Federal Hwy., Delray Beach, 561-303-1748, parisbaguette.com
This French-inspired bakery and cafe hailing from South Korea recently opened in Delray Beach, and those familiar with the brand often trek here for the array of fresh-baked breads and baked goods served in a fast-casual setting.
Inside, grab a tray and tongs before perusing cases of sweet and savory pastries, baked fresh daily by the shop's team of "cakers and bakers," that includes about a half-dozen doughnuts ($2.99 to $5.69).
There's the "King Cream," a hefty powdered brioche doughnut bursting with decadently rich Bavarian cream. There's also a cronut riff: delicate and flaky croissant doughnuts filled with a chocolate-hazelnut, vanilla, or coffee custard.
Staying true to its Korean roots, the chain also offers a variety of super-chewy, rice-based options like its trendy mochi doughnut, a fusion pastry shaped into a ring of eight connected doughnut "balls" made of tapioca and rice flour.
Luke's Dixie Donuts
1695 W. Indiantown Rd., Jupiter, 561-972-4693, lukesdixiedonuts.com.
In April, owner and baker Sarah Callis quietly launched Luke's Dixie Donuts in Jupiter's Sims Creeks Plaza. Born and raised in Fort Pierce, Callis — who began working for her hometown doughnut shop when she was still in high school — has made a lifelong career of making these ring-shaped pastries.
Today, her shop relies on a nearly 100-year-old recipe that fries into light and fluffy yeast-raised doughnuts. Each is hand-cut before being fried then topped or stuffed within a variety of creams, glazes, cookies, or candy.
The shop offers nearly 60 flavors of traditional and signature yeast-raised doughnuts, several cake offerings, as well as cinnamon rolls and fruit-filled fritters ($1.99-$4.50).
While the Boston Cream has been a crowd favorite so far, Callis' one-off specials recently included a fluffy powdered yeast doughnut with a not-too-sweet mango gel swirl at its center and a take on banana pudding. Pair a dozen with a coffee to-go, or some squeezed-to-order orange juice.
Jupiter Donuts
141 Center St., Jupiter, 561-741-5290, jupiterdonuts.com
A local family-run and -operated establishment, Jupiter Donuts — originally known as Jupiter Donut Factory — has been a Palm Beach County staple for over a decade.
In 2013, owner and Jupiter native Chris Stokes took over operations in 2013, but was working with the original owners long before that. When the family decided to relocate to Oregon, Stokes took over operations, growing the brand across Palm Beach County to six stores.
Each offers more than 40 flavors served daily, a dizzying variety that includes local favorites like his own version of the maple bacon bar, banana and shredded coconut, or a red velvet "devil" that is more whoopie pie than doughnut.
