Photographed by Alison Ives.
If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm forever searching for the dessert that will satisfy my ravenous sweet tooth, once and for all. My taste buds certainly don't discriminate when it comes to the world's confections. I can always muster up room for a bite of something sweet.
Since moving to New York, my search for the city's finest dessert has led me down a sugar-coated path of ice cream trucks, cupcake shops, pie tastings, and more. But, alas, last Saturday I met my match in an unsuspecting Bushwick storefront called Dun-Well Doughnuts.
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I knew all about the countless awards and the never-ending stream of praise that Dun-Well has received, but it was time for me to see what all the fuss was about for myself. While I've tasted the usual suspects like Dough and Peter Pan Donuts, I would never go so far as to consider myself a doughnut connoisseur, but all of that would soon change.
A friend and I ventured into the charming Brooklyn shop and were instantly greeted with a delicious, syrupy smell, and a glass case filled with rows upon rows of delectable doughnuts. Maple Glaze, Raspberry Cheesecake, Butterfinger — how would we ever choose? We settled on a Pink Lady, which was covered in pale-pink buttercream frosting and topped off with coconut shavings; Peanut Butter & Jelly; and a classic Chocolate Sprinkles. It was an unseasonably warm November morning, so we took our treats outside to enjoy.
Photographed by Alison Ives.
What happened in the next few moments is truly indescribable, but if I had to sum it up in a single word, I'd call it bliss. I scarfed down the Pink Lady first, which had a light, but cakey texture. The frosting-to-doughnut ratio was perfect, and the coconut flakes added the most phenomenal flavor. At this point, I was sure I'd turned into a regular Homer Simpson. In fact, it's incredible I was able to document any of the experience before the doughnuts vanished from the rustic Dun-Well plates altogether. We shared bites of the remaining doughnuts until we found ourselves in a serene sugar coma. The only thing to finally stir me from this saccharine state was the realization that these weren't just any ol' doughnuts: They were vegan. You guys! Admittedly, my diet is about as far from being vegan as it gets. But, to discover a yummy and guilt-free dessert? I'm sold.
I have no shame in confessing that this particular doughnut date was one of the happiest moments I've had in New York. And, I was compelled to share my effusive opinion with my fellow New Yorkers: Dun-Well Doughnuts is simply the best. If nothing else, it takes the prize for inspiring one of the greatest, most deliciously gooey love affairs of all time, and I'm sure we'll meet again very soon. Now, where's that doughnut emoji when I need one?