Doughnut Delights: Iowa’s 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

If you’re craving a delightful dessert in Iowa, you’re in for a treat. The state is home to some of the finest doughnut shops in the nation, offering a variety of freshly made, delicious, and inventive pastries.

Whether you lean towards the traditional glazed, filled, or topped doughnuts, or you’re eager to explore new and adventurous options, these seven exceptional places are sure to fulfill your sweet desires. Discover Iowa’s top seven doughnut spots that are a must-visit:

Icon Donuts & Sweetery

Icon Donuts & Sweetery is a pleasant place in Waterloo and Cedar Falls that serves a variety of donuts, cookies, cheesecake, and other treats. They come in unusual tastes including maple bacon, Kit Kat, and Snickers.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

It is well-known for its extensive variety of cheesecake, cookies, and donuts. They come in unusual tastes including maple bacon, Kit Kat, and Snickers. While some patrons lament the excessive sweetness or dryness of the donuts, the majority take pleasure in the lively atmosphere and amiable staff.

Hurts Donut

More than forty distinct donut creations are available to choose from, spanning from classic favorites like maple bacon long johns to decadent treats like the Cookie Monster donut at Hurts Donut in Coralville, West Des Moines, or the Quad Cities.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

Alternatively, try a donut ice cream shake to elevate your donut intake! Hurts Donut is available around-the-clock for all of your sugary needs.

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Donutland

For forty years, Donutland in Cedar Rapids has been producing forty distinct kinds of donuts! A cup of their renowned freshly brewed coffee pairs well with the double chocolate donut, which is a local favorite.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

A variety of donuts, including bear claw, cinnamon roll, butterfly, and pinecone varieties, are freshly made every morning. On weekends, there will be a line, but it will be worth it for their incredibly fresh donuts.

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Dough & Joe

There’s a lot more to this place than just donuts, but let’s keep our attention on the present. Famous for its cream-filled long johns, Dough & Joe is located in Cresco.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

One couple substituted these for the wedding cake because they are that delicious.You can also enjoy coffee and other goodies there.

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Golden Delight Bakery

Avoid Golden Delight if you ever want to be able to enjoy a doughnut from a large corporate company again. These are the most wonderful donuts you have ever tasted, made with just whole, fresh ingredients and traditional techniques of preparation from an Amish bakery.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

Really, this is the flavor that donuts were supposed to have. The Amish bakery Golden Delight Bakery in Kalona offers handmade and traditional donuts, breads, cakes, and chocolates.

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Jaarsma Bakery

Jaarsma Bakery proudly showcases Pella’s charming Dutch heritage. If you pay a visit, don’t miss the chance to savor the Dutch letters—the iconic treat that originated in the U.S. right here in this town.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

While indulging in those distinctive S-shaped cookies, be sure to also treat yourself to some of Jaarsma’s delectable fresh donuts. And if you’re feeling adventurous, the pecan rolls are an absolute delight.

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Mahalo’s Coffee Co Mini Donuts & Catering

“Mahalo” can be roughly interpreted as expressing gratitude, which perfectly captures the sentiment you’ll experience after trying the delightful coffee and mini donuts at this charming shop.

Doughnut Delights Iowa's 7 Best Doughnut Experiences

The miniature donuts boast gourmet quality, and their petite size allows you to enjoy 10 or 20 without a hint of guilt… or so we’d like to believe!

To Conclude

There is something for every sweet appetite in Iowa’s eclectic doughnut culture, from traditional glazed faves to delicious maple bacon dreams. This list includes options for everyone, including flavor enthusiasts, purists, and fans of mini-donuts. So gather your napkins, dust up your sprinkler, and set out on a delicious doughnut tour around the state of Iowa. Your palate will appreciate it.

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.