The Weekender: Craveable Cronuts
Have you ever had a pastry so delicious you remember the exact time and place you took your first bite? It was 2014, I was in New York, and the concierge at the Roosevelt Hotel knew I was dying to try the hybrid croissant donut that had the entire city buzzing. The first bite was extraordinary: buttery, flaky layers drizzled with a sweet glaze. Lucky for us, Columbus has incredible bakeries, restaurants, and donut shops that are deep-frying this lustful mutant creation.
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•Buckeye Donuts thrives in the heart of Ohio State’s campus. Owner Jimmy Barouxis started producing cronuts due to the demand from east coast students. Unlike the original New York bakeries, Buckeye Donuts makes their cronut in the shape of a traditional croissant to ensure the dough cooks evenly. Their cronut is the perfect balance of dense and airy, with buttery layers surrounded by a golden-brown crust and drizzled with a not-too-sweet vanilla glaze. Buckeye Donuts’ cronuts are BIG, but you will devour this entire delectable confection because they are incredibly hard to put down.
Insider tip: the cronut is only available at Buckeye Donuts’ campus location
•DK Diner is an overachiever offering three different cronut flavors: vanilla glaze, chocolate, and caramel drizzle. Located in Grandview, this diner has an abundance of charm and a local cult following. DK uses a traditional croissant dough, leaving their cronuts soft and fluffy, leaning on the sweeter side.
•Auddino’s Italian Bakery is filled with all the warmth and family you would find walking into your Nonna’s kitchen. This small bakery, hidden off a side street near I-71 and 11th Avenue, has filled its cases with freshly baked pastries and its shelves with authentic Italian staples for over 53 years. Auddino’s refers to their hybrid as a doughsant, thanks to owner Mike Auddino’s son. Auddino’s recipe utilizes a traditional French croissant dough deep-fried and drizzled with a lemon-vanilla glaze or sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Auddino’s doughsant is pillowy-soft and very sweet with hints of citrus from the glaze. The cinnamon-sugar version is my favorite, effortlessly balancing sweet and savory.
Insider tip: pick up the DIY pizza kit – it makes the perfect meal for Friday night!
If you have never tried a cronut (or doughsant) I implore you to treat yourself this weekend. These pastry delights are the perfect way to kick off your Saturday or ease into a lazy Sunday.
If you like this, read: The Weekender: Three places to score a smash burger
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