2901 Cliff Road E., Burnsville, 7656 160th St. W., Lakeville;donutstarmn.com
Sweet on top of sweet is a great way to start the morning -- a glazed doughnut at Edelweiss Bakery in Prior Lake. (Nicole Hvidsten/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
When there’s a line out the door of this bakery three minutes after opening, your fear of being late for work is displaced by a fear of not getting the pastry you’ve been craving. Such is the case at this bakery, which anchors a corner on Prior Lake’s main street. No worries, though, there were plenty of treats left, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. If we had to choose, we’d opt for the specialty raised doughnuts ($3.50), so sweet and airy, or the caramel rolls ($4.25), dense, gooey and worth the splurge, even if not technically a doughnut. Beautiful fruit tarts, croissants and desserts also line the bakery case, and it’s worth following them on social media for a glimpse of the Edelweiss’ creativity. No surprise there — the owners are Joe and Laurie Lin of Cocoa & Fig.
Super-sized doughnut holes are a must at Funner Brothers. (Leila Navidi/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Funner Brothers Donut Co.
This longtime neighborhood classic bakery is home to a true doughnut legend. The former Valley Pastries in Golden Valley updated its name to make it “funner,” but the scratch recipes remain. Fans and families line up for the fresh fried breakfast treats, but notice that everyone leaves with an additional dozen of the giant, hand-cut doughnut holes ($14/doz.). Co-owner Alex Loosbrock said, “It’s just a couple of bites, so you don’t feel as bad.” The only problem is trying to limit the bites to just one doughnut hole.
Just like the sign says, there's a reason this place has been here for generations. (Joy Summers, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A neighborhood destination for more than 70 years, Mel-O-Glaze is a must-stop when roaming near Lake Nokomis. There are plenty of sweet treats to choose from, but the bakery’s fame lies in its classic raised glazed ($3.50). The yeasty, pillowy raised glazed doughnuts are coated in a crackling shell that carries a faint citrus flavor. Plus, the bakery is decorated with joy: little cutout signs with jokes, chalk on the sidewalk and a staff that always seems genuinely happy to see you.