Doughnuts

Fractured Prune

Several locations including 8705 Harford Rd., Parkville, 410-661-9999.

This
offspring of the original Ocean City hotspot stays true to the mother
ship with a purple-and-green color scheme and doughnuts baked to order. A
tray on the counter tempts you with colorful offerings, including Oreo
cookie, Almond Joy, s’mores, and thin mint. It takes only minutes for
the fragrant, hot doughnuts to be placed in your hands.

Editor’s pick: “O.C. Sand,” a honey-glazed round coated with cinnamon sugar.

Donut Shack

497 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park, 410-544-0278.

The
scent alone——wafting with honey and cinnamon——will hook you when you
walk into the store. Brightly lit shelves are laden with all manner of
doughnuts——about 20 varieties in all. The bakery, family-owned for
almost 30 years, has an added bonus: It’s open 24/7 to satisfy your
cravings any time of day. But bring cash. No plastic accepted.

Editor’s pick: The honey-dipped doughnut.

The Fenwick Bakery

7219 Harford Rd., Parkville, 410-444-6410.

At
100 years, the bakery is wearing its age quite well, thank you,
continuing to churn out pastry cases full of confections for the next
generation of visitors. Customers will find pies, birthday and wedding
cakes, cookies, breads, and doughnuts among the offerings in the
storefront staffed by motherly clerks.

Editor’s pick: The chocolate-glazed cinnamon buns.

Herman’s Bakery

7560 Holabird Ave., Dundalk, 410-284-5590.

You
know you can trust a family-owned bakery that has been around since
1923 and at its current location since 1958. The cases are filled with
cookies, strawberry shortcakes, éclairs, and doughnuts, including a
marshmallow-filled one that almost requires a spoon.

Editor’s pick: The plump, sugar-dusted jelly-filled doughnut.

Hoehn’s Bakery

400 S. Conkling St., 410-675-2884.

The
beloved bake shop in the heart of Highlandtown has been making
customers smile since 1927 with its made-from-scratch products. Inside
the corner store, the air is perfumed with yeast and sugar as friendly
neighbors stop in for their regular treats. And there are goodies
galore, from cookies and doughnuts to smearcase (Baltimore’s own type of
cheesecake).

Editor’s pick: The airy marshmallow-laden doughnut.