Revisit our Michigan's Best Doughnut list on National Doughnut Day, which is June 6, 2014.
BIG RAPIDS, MI -- In honor of National Doughnut Day, which is Friday, June 6, 2014, I thought I would get back on the road to distribute our plaques for Michigan's Best Doughnut.
If you recall, we traveled more than 2,500 miles, and we sampled about 200 doughnuts over 10 days in March.
And when it was over, we selected 13 bakeries -- make that a baker's dozen -- to get awards.
Today I'll start my day at Van Brocklin's Bakery in Big Rapids, and then go to Grand Rapids and Muskegon to drop off the awards.
On Thursday I'll be in Elk Rapids, Bay City, Saginaw, Owosso and Fenton.
On Friday I'll be in Detroit, Jackson, Marhsall and Kalamazoo.
In the meantime, I encourage you to check out any of the 33 bakeries who were selected as Michigan's Best, and were awarded visits. They were all great representations of Michigan-made goodness.
Many of them will have specials on National Doughnut Day, which is always the first Friday in the month of June.
You can check out our complete Michigan's Best Doughnut list and recap on our Michigan's Best site. Just go to mlive.com/michigansbest.
Here is the Top 13 list, as well as a list of all participants:
MICHIGAN'S BEST DOUGHNUT-TOP 13 (A BAKER'S DOZEN)
1. Hinkley Bakery, Jackson.
A steady stream of customers line up out the door to get their doughnuts; all with smiles on their face, regardless of the wait. If you're there on a Thursday, get the carrot cake crescents with a cream cheese icing. Yum.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 700 S. Blackstone; Jackson, Michigan 49203
Phone: (517) 782-1122
Hours of operation: Wed - Sat: 5:15 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2. Sweetwaters Donut Mill, Kalamazoo.
It's open 24/7 and always has a large supply of quality doughnuts. I wonder if I'll see Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell there?
Link to MLive visit
Address: 3333 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI
Phone: 269-372-3636
Hours of operation: 24 hours, seven days a week.
3. Crust, Fenton.
When I looked at the case, it was as if each doughnut was calling my name. One of the few all-scratch bakeries we discovered on the trip.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 104 W Caroline St, Fenton, Michigan 48430
Phone: (810) 629-8882
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
4. Ryke’s Bakery, Muskegon.
What's not to love: It's an historic bakery run by the Rouwhorst family, which has a passion for making great doughnuts. Must-have item: Take 10, a riff on the "Take 5" candy bar, that is peanut butter Bavarian cream in a long john, topped with caramel, chocolate and pretzels.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 1788 Terrace St, Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: (231) 726-2253
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Cafe is open Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; both are closed on Sunday.
5. Dutch Girl Donuts, Detroit.
Open since 1947, Dutch Girl attracts all walks of life from inner-city regulars to truck drivers who happily stop in on the way to making a delivery. Must-have item: The glaze was unbelievable; as was the fresh raisin glazed doughnut.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 19000 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48203
Phone: (313) 368-3020
Hours of operation: It is open 24/7 on the weekdays; closed Saturday nights; closed Sundays; cash only
6. Propaganda Doughnuts, Grand Rapids
Since opening in early January, 2014, chef Torrence O'Haire has turned the West Michigan food scene upside down with his "propaganda," using local and organic ingredients and making everything from scratch. Menu changes daily. Check the Propaganda Facebook page for the latest info.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 117A S. Division Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Hours of operation:
Mon.: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wed - Thu: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Sun: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
7. Louie's Bakery, Marshall
Owner Jason LaForge, the grandson of original owner Louis Bagi, does not use outside mixes for his cake or yeast-raised doughnuts. Always fresh. Must-have item: Their nut roll is one of the best; even the nuts on top are roasted at the bakery. Ask for the Buzz Bomb, if you dare!
Link to MLive visit
Address: 144 W Michigan Ave, Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-3542
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Closed Monday and Sunday.
8. Marge's Donut Den, Wyoming
One of the most beloved bakeries in the state of Michigan, owner Marge Wilson wins over customers with her big smile, generosity and freshly made doughnuts. If you like the sweet and salty combination, order the chocolate doughnut with potato chip covered in caramel.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 1751 28th St. SW Wyoming, MI 49519
Phone: (616) 532-7413
Hours of operation:
Mon - Fri: 4am - 6pm
Sat: 4am - 4pm
Sun: 6am - 4pm
9. Van Brocklin's Bakery, Big Rapids
The husband and wife team of Joe and Lynn Van Brocklin met while working at Marge’s about 38 years ago. We had fun with the regulars who were drinking coffee, eating doughnuts and cracking jokes. Must-have item: We enjoyed the chocolate Tiger Tail, as well as the date-filled almond bear claw.
Address: 1129 N State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: (231) 796-5440
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sundays.
See the doughnuts we tried at Van Brocklin's
10. Lance's Bakery-Owosso
Make sure to try his signature maple triangles, and the baked elephant ear, which is rolled with pecans and cinnamon sugar. In you go on Friday, owner Lance Ellenberg should be wearing his colorful, doughnut T-shirt.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 309 N Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867
Phone: (989) 720-2254
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 6 a.m. to noon, Saturday.
11. Elk Rapids Sweet Shop Bakery-Elk Rapids
We had a great time with Dirk and Darlene Renzema in Elk Rapids, who opened the bakery in April of 1993. Must-have item: We loved the cinnamon twist, which was filled with cinnamon, brown sugar and cocoa. And we also enjoyed the sweet flavor of their hand-cut, honey wheat glazed doughnut.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 108 River St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
Phone: (231) 264-9732
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday.
12. Butter Crust Bakery, Saginaw
A mainstay since 1967, Butter Crust's doughnut recipes were passed down from owner Greg Sochocki'sparents. Must-have items: Two local creations, the Yum-Yums, a very light and fluffy glazed doughnut, and an Ugly, which consists of apple, strawberry and cinnamon mixed with the ends of the dough.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 6181 Dixie, Bridgeport Township.
Phone: (989) 777-3680
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.
13. Barney's Bakery,, Bay City
This neighborhood bakery has been popular for 85 years. Even though it's a small store front, it offers a large arsenal of doughnuts. Classics like their nut covered doughnut should not be missed, but also keep an eye out for new creations, such as the crescent-shaped coconut crunch.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 421 S Van Buren St Bay City, MI 48708
Phone: (989) 895-5466
Hours: 5 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays: 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays.
RISING STAR
Morat's Bakery Pub, New Era
Open since 2010, owners Dan and Carollee Castle offer a great variety doughnuts and some creative creations. They do the basics well, too.
Link to MLive visit
Address: 4747 First Street New Era, Mi 49446
Phone: 231-259-0073
Hours of operation: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mondays; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Wednesdays; 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; closed Sundays.
BEST OF THE REST
Barb's Bakery
112 N Mill St, Northport, MI 49670; (231) 386-5851
Celebrity Chef Mario Batali says they are the best! What else do you need?
Benny's Bakery
111 W Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176; (734) 429-9120
Known for their pretzels on the weekends, Benny's also makes a popular bacon maple doughnut we loved.
Cops and Doughnuts
521 N McEwan St Clare; (989) 386-2241
You’re not going to find a place with more character and life than Cops and Doughnuts. It’s a must stop for people traveling up north. The must-have doughnut is the maple bacon "Baconator" long john, with two strips of quality bacon.
Dom Bakeries
1305 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197; (734) 485-3175
Owners Ly and Fea Chov offer a wide selection of classic doughnuts. Our favorite was the raised glaze doughnut.
Donna's Donuts
1135 W Bristol Rd, Flint, MI 48507; (810) 233-5618
A long-time tradition for Flint doughnut lovers, Donna's is an institution. I loved their classic cream sticks (long johns), as well as their use of peanuts, like the cinnamon roll with peanut butter.
Elaine's Bake Shop
1590 S. Euclid Ave., Bay City; (989) 893-4970
They keep it simple, and loyal customers in Bay County have kept coming back. Any of the classics are worth trying, but we really enjoyed the apple fritter.
Goober's Bakery
4165 Grand Haven Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441; (231) 798-1213
If you love peanut butter, Goobers should not be missed.
Goodale's Bakery
500 Norway St, Grayling, MI 49738;(989) 348-8682
Father and son team of Loren and Loren Goodale take pride in getting their mixes and supplies from different distributors. And you can tell that they’ve picked the right ingredients for every doughnut. We loved the red velvet fry cake with a chocolate ribbon, topped with a cream cheese frosting.
Hamilton Home Bakery
1030 Gratiot Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602; (989) 792-8316
If you want a sugar rush, check out the cream-filled long john touched off with some powdered sugar. It almost looks like an ice cream sandwich.
See the doughnuts we tried at Hamilton
Horrocks Farm Market
7420 W. Saginaw Lansing, Mi 48917; 517-323-3782
Made fresh daily. But make sure to come back on the weekends for the bacon-covered glazed.
Huron Mountain Bakery
1301 S Front St, Marquette, MI 49855; (906) 225-1301
Baker Rachel Freeman is originally from the Flint area and created a Donna's-inspired cream stick. My pick is the raspberry bloom. It's one of the places you must stop when you visit the Upper Peninsula.
Johan's Pastry Shop
565 W Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI 49770; (231) 347-3815
Make sure to get a custard log john or chocolate iced fry cake.
Lev's Bakery
124 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh, MI 49286; (517) 423-2948
We loved the variety of cookies, as well as the cream-filled Long John.
See the doughnuts we tried at Lev's
The Looney Baker
13931 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154; (734) 425-8569
Make sure to grab some of their Looney Bread, which is like a coffee cake that wraps in raisins, cinnamon, walnuts and glaze.
MacKenzie's Bakery
527 Harrison, Kalamazoo MI 49007; 269-343-8440
John and Mary MacKenzie, make doughnuts for bread lovers. Great ingredients, and lots of love. I was a big fan of the homemade custard in their long johns.
Meyer's Hometown Bakery
Address: 1003 4th Ave., Lake Odessa MI 48849; (616) 374-1145
Jeff Meyers has a great hometown bakery; you won't go wrong with anything. I recommend the apple fritter.
Pinckney Bakery
131 E Main St, Pinckney, MI 48169; (734) 954-9198
Kim and Saing Yam have owned the bakery since 2009. They previously managed/owned the Dexter Bakery, and now they are opening a new bakery in Chelsea. Good variety, plus they serve ice cream. The glazed, raised doughnut was our favorite.
Potter's Bakery
908 E. Eighth St., Traverse City; 231-947-5125
We enjoyed all the offerings, especially the nutty doughnut hole and cinnamon sugar "ugly" yeast-raised doughnut. On Sundays, they only offer day-old, discounted doughnuts.
Sandy's Donuts
2040 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504; (616) 453-4259
Grand Rapids is a trifecta of goodness when it comes to doughnuts, and Sandy's rounds it out with a community bakery that does't take a backseat to the others. The apple fritter and honeymooner -- a chocolate covered doughnut with whip cream in the center -- were two of our favorites.
John Gonzalez is a statewide entertainment writer for MLive.com. Email him at gonzo@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.