Doughnuts are popping up every where!

I have a love-hate relationship with doughnuts. I love good fresh doughnuts and hate the ones that are prepackaged or sold at the national chains. I can eat a cake doughnut almost any time, but the yeast raised ones, I'm a little bit more picky about since I've gotten quite a few tummy aches from too many bad ones. I'm a little bit more cautious and skeptical when I try new doughnuts. My benchmark for perfect doughnuts are those from the Doughnut Plant in New York.

The last time we were in New York, my husband and I tried six different flavors and all were scrumptious.  I am so lucky I don't live in New York or else I would be there every day. Here in Chicago there have been many new doughnut "pop-ups" and shops. You know I have to go do my research! I went to Square Donutz, Dirty Betty's and Doughnut Vault.

http://squaredonutz.tumblr.com/

Beignet style. Lots of sugar and delish with a hot cup of coffee!

http://www.dirtybettys.com/

Baked, not fried and oh so moist and cake like!

From top to bottom: Fresh banana with Nutella glaze,  Blueberry with lemon glaze, and  Chocolate toffee.

http://thedoughnutvault.tumblr.com/

I had to get one of each flavor.

The gingerbread doughnut on the bottom is the size of traditional doughnuts.  The chocolate glazed doughnut is the size of my 23 month old's head! 

This is my tasting plate.

The kids had a tasting too. They had half of the portion that's on my plate. Don't worry, they only took two bites max of each one and stopped because it was too sweet for them.

They were all very yummy in their own unique way. I would take the kids earlier next time I go to the Doughnut Vault so that we can be one of the first people in line and not have to wait over an hour for a dozen doughnuts. Nuts! I know, but we did it all in the name of research and let me tell you it was well worth it!