Add a Doughnut Shop to Your Vacation Plans. In the last few years doughnut shops, bars, emporiums and boutiques have given new life to the common donut. The selection and consumption of freshly baked doughnuts can be a family adventure all by itself.

While cake or raised, powdered or glazed is still the starting place, doughnut makers (many of them chefs) are creating flavorful sometimes decadent options from bacon and pineapple, gingerbread and caramel, sea salt and cardamom to artisan chocolates, Oreos, Peebles, and Gummy Bears. Gluten free and vegan choices are often available so there is really no excuse not to celebrate. National Doughnut Day or Donut Day is always reserved for the first Friday in June.

 
To serve as a nudge I have provided details for a baker's half dozen plus one of our favorite doughnut stots. At many of these spots there will be a line but it will be worth the wait. Really. Any day can be donut day when you are on vacation.

Beiler's Hand Rolled Doughnuts in Philadelphia.  The Dutch may have invented the doughnut but the Amish have perfected it. Beiler’s in reading Terminal market offers authentic Amish-made doughnuts throughout the day, made right in front of your eyes. Sometimes the line may be long but it is worth the wait. While trying to decide what scrumptious delights to order, watch the bakers knead, cut, fry, and glaze. Choices include: Vanilla with M&M's or Gummy Bears, apple cider, mocha crème and the slightly quirky "Elvis" with bacon on it. (Beiler’s Reading Terminal Market 12th & Arch St. Philadelphia, PA (267) 318-7480 or www.readingterminalmarket.org)

Firecakes in Chicago. Chef/Proprietor Jonathan Fox offers 10 artful doughnut choices per day at his shop in a River North storefront. The inspiration for this inventive donut stop is an heirloom recipe from the early 1900s which has been modernized with unexpected ingredients resulting in surprising flavors. Creative flavors include: Classic buttermilk, malted milk ball, triple Valrhona chocolate, and maple-glazed with pineapple & bacon. They also make tempting gluten-free doughnuts. Wait for it! Firecakes has a doughnut sandwich made with house-made vanilla gelato and fudge sauce.  (Firecakes 68 W Hubbard St. Chicago, IL 60610. (312) 329-6500 or www.firecakesdonuts.com)

Hypnotic Donuts in Dallas. Not far from White Rock Lake and Dallas Arboretum (in my old neighborhood) is a shop best described as craft-donut heaven. Hypnotic Donuts bakers produce yummy donuts throughout the day. The shop atmosphere is happy and the aroma intoxicating.  The first “Evil Elvis” donut (yeast donut with peanut butter, bacon, banana and honey) was served in this shop. Additional choices include: An array of classic donuts, Peace’ statio Cake, Zooroppa - frosting, sprinkles, marshmallows and frosted animal cookies, Expresso Yo Self for coffee lovers plus vegan donut options. (Hypnotic Donuts 9007 Garland Rd. Dallas, TX 75218. (214) 668-6999 or www.hypnoticdonuts.com)

Revolution Doughnuts & Coffee in Atlanta. Maria Moore Riggs, proprietor and baker is a master of farm-to-table comfort food with Revolution Doughnuts an example of her best work. All of the tempting choices on the menu are made by people from scratch, using organic flour, top quality ingredients and free of trans-fat. Options for vegans and folks with sensitivities to gluten, eggs, or dairy are part of the mix. Tempting menu items include: Buttermilk bar carrot cake, vanilla bean, brown sugar, and salted caramel topped with bits of charcuterie bacon, and gingerbread - baked with almond flour.  (Revolution Doughnuts 908 West College Ave. Decatur, GA 30030. (678) 927-9920 or RevolutionDoughnuts.com)

Donut Bar in San Diego. Home of the famous “Big Poppa Tart” donut, Donut Bar is an essential stop for foodies not just doughnut lovers. You will find at least a half dozen tempting choices plus one unique offering available every day with weekends adding more specials.  Chef Santiago’s offerings include inventive combinations: Bourbon and maple-glazed doughnuts with sea salt, a blueberry old-fashioned doughnut with Meyer lemon glaze, and the CroBar – a spritely croissant-dough donut. Wait for it! On weekends this is the place for made-to-order cinnamon French toast donuts with custard. Yummy! (Donut Bar 631 B St. San Diego, CA 92101.  (310) 625-5571 or www.donutbar.com)

Nicola's Donuts in Tampa. It is possible Nicola invented the idea of donuts for dessert because her Rocky Road and Brownie Brittle creations serve that purpose very well.  Luckily there are two locations in Tampa with the Dale Mabry one staying open extended hours so you can snag a dessert donut. Each location offers a selection of creatively prepared donuts to satiate the desires of any sugar bunny. Special donuts include: Decadent a PB&J donut, filled, Reese's filled donut, Oreo filled donut, chocolate-glazed strawberry and a new creation - the S'more Donut.  (Nicola's 902 W. Busch Blvd., Tampa, FL (813) 932-1303 or (813)-960-7768 or 15006 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618 or www.nicolasdonuts.com)

A baker’s half dozen plus one. 

YUM YUM Donuts in Playa del Rey. Wrapping up the baker’s half dozen is a neighborhood donut shop 623 steps from my daughter’s apartment (according to FitBit). YUM YUM on Manchester, a three minute-drive from the beach, does not match the previous shops with creativity but it does offer freshly baked, yummy donuts served in a friendly helpful manner by Sam the gentleman/baker behind the counter. Tasty donut choices include the classics: Raised ring vanilla iced with coconut, wheat & spice, cinnamon crumb cake, oodles of chocolate choices and luscious cinnamon crumb donut holes. Wait for it! They will squeeze oranges for the best freshest juice ever.  (8139 W Manchester Ave, Playa del Rey, CA 90293. (310) 823-0045)

As always if you have a favorite donut shop TELL MOM! and I will add it to our ongoing master list of great donut adventures.