The Daily Donut Day 29- Road Trip Bay Country Bakery

Several times over the last year we have passed this sign just to the east of Cambridge, MD. I have wanted to stop every time, I don't pass many donut shops without stopping. So today, Melissa, Shelby, and I decided to take a short road trip and see what this bakery was all about. I will NOT pass it again without stopping!

 You have got to love a place with a giant donut on the roof! One of my dreams is to have a donut on my roof. I would love to have one just like this or in NEON would be okay too.

Now for the donuts!

I would like to apologize to anyone who has been or will be behind me in a donut line. I examine the available donuts, ask questions, and press my face against the donut case to get the best view. You would think I was buying a new car! Sorry! Bay Country has a great selection of donuts, many flavors that you just don't see anywhere else!

I chose the Maple Glazed with Chocolate Drizzle. Isn't that a beauty! This donut had the best maple glaze I have ever tasted and the combination of the maple and the chocolate was a party in my mouth! The yeast raised donut is light and super fresh! I have to come clean and tell you I did eat more than one. You would too!

Shelby picked her favorite Boston Creme or as she calls it "a pudding donut." I think it passed her finger taste test! Mel was glad she made the trip and got the best sugar raised donut she has had in a long time. The donuts were so good, we all decided to stay and eat lunch which was just as good. Hot or cold sandwiches on fresh baked bread! This IS a full service bakery!!

Bay Country Bakery is located on Rt 50 East of Cambridge at 608 Shoal Creek Mall(410-228-9111). Check them out at www.baycountrybakery.com. Worth the drive from wherever you are!

EAT HAPPY! I DID!

The Daily Donut Day 28 - WaWa Pinstriped Vanilla Creme

Suit Up! With pinstripes worthy of the New York Yankees(yankees.com) this donut could also be at home on Wall St.(www.wallstreetmoneyneversleeps.com). This honey glazed donut with the chocolate pinstripes came from the WaWa at 668 S Salisbury Blvd(410-677-0384). I have always been partial to the vanilla creme. It is sooo sweet! Check out your local WaWa at (www.wawa.com). You have to move quick to get your pick of a WaWa donut- they empty out fast.

EAT HAPPY! And don't tell my Dad I compared his Yankees to a creme puff donut!

The Daily Donut Day 27- Maple Donuts Dark Chocolate Glazed

I got a rare treat today! My friend and coworker, Roxy, brought me a couple of samples of a donut I had never tasted before. And let me tell you, it was love at 1st bite!

Maple Donuts has been the pride of York, Pa since 1946 and well deserved. This dark chocolate glazed has always been one of my favorite types of donut and Maple Donuts does it just right. The chocolate on top of the glaze is the perfect topping combination, while the donut itself has all the best tastes of a yeast raised and cake donut. I don't know how they do it, but I'm glad they do!

This is the Maple Donuts location at the Newberry Commons in Etters, PA(717-938-5544). Check out the GIANT donut on the roof! There are 3 more locations around York, Pa and Maple Donuts does a fine business selling to restaurants and grocery locations. I am checking my calendar right now to plan a road trip.

Mmmmm Maple Donuts, now that is beauty in a box. Thanks Rox for the great donuts!

Check out Maple Donuts at http://www.mapledonutsinc.com/.

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 26- Dunkin Donuts Apple Crumb

This Dunkin Donuts Apple Crumb has everything you could ask for in a donut. The soft yeast donut is fresh and chewy. The vanilla icing adds a touch of sweetness. The apple filling is just slightly spicy, and the little crumbles on top add a crunch to each bite. This donut is from my local "DD" at 908 S Salisbury Blvd(410-749-5999), but if you check this guy out at www.dunkindonuts.com you will find it carries 460 calories, and worth every one! 

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 25- Nathan's Birthday Donut

                    

 FRACTURED PRUNE FRIDAY!

  Today, June 25th, is my nephew, Nathan's, 3rd birthday. Happy Birthday Nate Nate! Love you Buddy!

  Fridays at The Daily Donut are also Fractured Prune Fridays, where they make hot fresh donuts the way you want, while you wait. Check out  the Fractured Prune at www.fracturedprune.com.

Nathan's birthday donut is the standard cake from Fractured Prune with a chocolate glaze and topped with multi-color sprinkles! Oh Yeah! Dig in Nate Nate! This donut was created at our local Fractured Prune at 1303 S Salisbury Blvd(410-546-9899). Stop by and create your own!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 24- Back to Back Cruller Attack!

Yesterday's French Cruller was sooo good, I had to have another cruller today! These curly beauties are from Wingnuts at 1207 Mt. Hermon Rd(410-546-4780). Wingnuts has become my "go to" donut shop because they always have a great selection of fresh made donuts! Sweet!

The word cruller is said to come from the Dutch word "crulle" or "crullen" and means "to curl". If I get another "cruller craving" in the next months, that might mean making a road trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country(www.padutchcountry.com) to to try out some of the originals.

 Now that is a beautiful donut, and it tastes just as good as it looks!!

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 23- Amy Lynn's Birthday French Cruller

This is my baby sister Amy Lynn on her 1st birthday. She has had a few since, she now has three kids of her own, but she will always be my baby sister! Happy Birthday Amy! Love you!

Amy's favorite donut has always been the French Cruller. Who couldn't love this light twisty tasty donut from Dunkin Donuts at 908 S Salisbury Blvd(410-749-5999). The swirls hold extra glaze and the donut is so light, you want to pull it apart instead of taking big bites.  French Crullers are made with special choux pastry dough and were originally only made by hand. The newer donut machines have a special tip that squirts out these twisty masterpieces lickety split.A Donut masterpiece!

Check out you local "DD" at www.dunkindonuts.com

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 22- DeVage's Orange Glazed

DeVage's at 748 E. Main St in Salisbury(410-334-2200) is right around the corner from my house. Not only do they make sweet cake donuts, but they make great cheese steaks, and subs, too! The location is a Salisbury landmark and was for many years, The Polar Bar. This was one of the original soda fountains in Salisbury and my Dad and his friends would hang out there when he was in High School. It feels like Arnold's from Happy Days!(www.tv.com/happy-days)

My good friend Vince Guiliano is celebrating his birthday today, June 22nd. Vince's Dad, Mr. Nick(Mr. G), was the long-time Industrial Arts and Drivers Ed instructor at Wi-Hi.(www.wcboe.org/schools/wihi). Mr G made the original Polar Bar wood sign that used to hang above the counter, so I thought a DeVage's/ Polar Bar donut would be the perfect tribute to Vince on his birthday!

The Devage's have continued the tradition of the great Polar Bar donuts. These cake donuts are soft, sweet, and always fresh. They offer many different toppings and you can't eat just one. Great job DeVage's. Thanks for keeping the Polar Bar donut alive!

Happy Birthday Vince! We will see you soon, whip you at tennis, and buy you a donut!

June 22nd is also the birthday of Kris Kristofferson, one of the greatest songwriters and cool characters of our time. Check him out at www.kriskristofferson.com!

Eat Happy!

The Daily Donut Day 21- Make Your Own Donut Bread Pudding

         HAPPY 1ST DAY OF SUMMER! HOT! HOT! HOT!

Donut Bread Pudding! Yum!

Believe it or not, I sometimes have leftover donuts around the house. Even the best donuts start to get hard and less tasty after a couple of days. Mom Mom Phillips(see Donut Day 8) always made great bread pudding, so when I saw this recipe years ago, I knew I needed to give it a try. There are many versions of this recipe available online, but mine is most similar to a version Paula Deen made on her "Paula's Party" show on the Food Network.(http://www.pauladeen.com/)(www.foodnetwork.com)

INGREDIENTS

1- 14OZ CAN SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

1- CONTAINER OF FRUIT COCKTAIL OR APPLESAUCE

2- EGGS(beaten)

1-HANDFUL DRIED FRUIT(raisins)

PINCH OF SALT

1-TSP GROUND CINNAMON

1/2-TSP NUTMEG

UP TO 2 DOZEN DONUTS

STEP 1- Mix all ingredients, but the donuts, together to make the sauce that will be absorbed into the donuts. I used some of Shelby's Peach Medley Applesauce(www.motts.com) instead of fruit cocktail and Michigan dried cherries(www.cherrybayorchards.com) instead of raisins. Try your own ideas- you can't go wrong.

STEP 2- Cut your donuts into small cubes. My daughter, Lindsay, did a great job cutting these up. Thanks Linds! As you can see, we are using a variety of different donuts.

STEP 3- Mix the cubed donuts into the liquid ingredients until the liquid is well absorbed into the donuts, then place all ingredients in pan or casserole dish. Bake for 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.

STEP 4- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Now let's make the Butter Rum Yum Topping. In a saucepan add 1stick of butter, 1lb powdered sugar, and 1 shot dark rum. Stir until all is well mixed and starts to bubble.( this sauce is great on anything, from ice cream to your finger, so save any extra and heat it up in the microwave) Drizzle topping on and ENJOY!

EAT HAPPY!

The Daily Donut Day 20 - Fathers' Day Favorite

                                  HAPPY FATHERS DAY 2010!

This is the 100th Fathers Day celebrated in the US. The first Fathers Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. Wow! That's alot of Dads.

For this Fathers Day, I decided to go with the donut that in my opinion may be the very best available right now. Wingnuts Chocolate Glazed!!

I have sampled donuts up and down the East Coast. I have favorites at the Doughnut Plant in New York City and Spudnuts in Charlottesville, Va. Wingnuts Chocolate Glazed from Wingnuts at 1207 Mt. Hermon Rd in Salisbury(410-546-4780) is right up there with the best! The yeast donut is soft and just chewy enough. The secret in my opinion is the entire donut is dipped in the honey glaze, then topped with the chocolate glaze. Every bite has that sweet glazed goodness! Amen! I dropped a few of these off to my Dad, Nicky Nichols, and he made quick work of them. Happy Fathers Day Dad! We love you! Also Happy Fathers Day to Melissa's Dad, Larry Hamilton, in Michigan. We will be up there soon for fishing and donut hunting! Hope all you Dads have a great day and go ahead eat another donut! Eat Happy!

The Daily Donut Day 19- Dunkin Donuts Apple N Spice Donut

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this is how I choose to eat mine. This soft yeast raised donut has a cinnamon sugar coating and spiced apple filling. There are even little pieces of apple in there. Dunkin Donuts never disappoints, so check out your local "DD" at(dunkindonuts.com). This donut came from my local "DD" at 908 S Salisbury Blvd(410-749-5999). Eat Happy!

Happy Birthday to Kellee Cannon June 19th! You and Erica can stop by anytime for a donut!

The Daily Donut Day 18- Fractured Prune Banana Nut Bread Donut

I, Keith Nichols, the Donut King declare that the next thirty or so Fridays will be Fractured Prune Fridays. They have at least that many different donut varieties and more. Fractured Prune has been an Ocean city legend since the 70's and they have recently started franchising around the world. Check out the history at(fracturedprune.com). The shops are fun, brightly colored, and always smell of fresh donuts!

Starting down the list alphabetically kicks us off with the Banana Nut Bread Donut. All Fractured Prune donuts are made to order so you cannot get a fresher donut. You watch them being created before you very eyes! This is the cake donut with a banana glaze, cinnamon sugar, and peanuts on top. Your own personal banana bread. These donuts are always good, but best eaten fresh out of the box. Be careful don't burn your fingers! Our local Fractured Prune is on is on Rt13 across from the Su(salisbury.edu) campus 1303 S Salisbury Blvd.(410-546-9899). Stop by and watch them make some donuts for you! Eat happy!

The Daily Donut Day 17- Starbucks' Mini Donuts

Are these not the cutest things you have ever seen?! I got a surprise from my friend and co-worker, Cindy C., yesterday when she handed me a bag with these little guys inside. I didn't even know Starbucks offered donuts. The chocolate is a double fudge brownie donut and they call the pink iced their "birthday cake" donut. Shelby has already called "dibs" on that one! These little guys are only about 130 calories each which is about 100 calories less than the average donut, but I think I could eat about 50 of them given the opportunity. Visit your local Starbucks to try these great minis or check out (starbucks.com) for more info. Thanks Cindy for this treat! Eat Happy!

The Daily Donut Day 16- Wawa Glazed Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned Donut is also called a sour creme donut, because sour creme is used in the dough. It adds a little bite to this cake donut. As you can see from the picture, one of the best things about an old fashioned is all of the nooks and crannies that develop on top while the donut is frying. These little valleys work perfectly to catch the glaze, so you get extra sweetness in each bite. This donut also makes a great dunking donut. Wawa even offers this very donut as a dunking stick, shaped just right for dunking. Genius! Stop by your local Wawa for one of these donuts and some great coffee too! Look for your Wawa at (wawa.com).

Eat Happy! 

The Daily Donut Day 15 - Krispy Kreme Lemon Chiffon

Nothing says summer like lemon! This donut is the sister to Krispy Kreme's lemon cake(see Donut Day 10) and part of their summer of "Lovin' Lemon." This is a yeast raised donut with a tasty lemon chiffon filling and a little belly button of lemon on top. Sweet and refreshing! These lemon lovelies are only available for a limited time, so you better get out and try them both soon! Check these and other donuts out at krispykreme.com! And Eat Happy!

The Daily Donut Day 14 - Poso's Birthday

These handsome devils are are my "brothers". Not by blood, but we have all been friends our entire lives. They are from left to right, Donald "The Don" Poso, Keith "T-Dog" Timmons, Mark "Gravy" Gravenor, and me"Keithaccino". June 13th was Poso's birthday, same as Mom's birthday, so we get to do his donut today. When I asked Donald to pick his favorite donut, his response was "anything chocolate."

I decided to go with the Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Glazed. Poso is a traditionalist, so  am sure he will enjoy the rich chocolate cake donut. The glaze coating adds just enough sweetness to make you want to lick your lips. Yum!!

"The Don" is hiking and camping at Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive(www.nps.gov/shen) with his lovely wife, Raye Anne, for a couple of days. Lucky! He will get his donut when they get back, but I can tell you it passed the Keithaccino test. Although, it is true, I have never met a donut I didn't like!

 Love you brother! Hope you had a great birthday!

These donuts came from the Dunkin Donuts Shop on Rt 13S/8600 Ocean Hwy in Delmar, MD. You can also check them out at(www.dunkindonuts.com).

Eat Happy!

The Daily Donut Day 13- Mom/Grandma's Birthday

  My mother, Joyce Nichols, loves donuts. As a matter of fact, she and her mother, Beatrice(see Donut Day8) taught me everything I know about donuts from making them  to "over"eating them! When I asked Mom which donut she would like for her birthday donut on June 13th, I was not surprised when she picked MY personal favorite donut right now, Wingnut's chocolate angel(see Donut Day2). Since we have already given tribute to this wonderful donut, we decided to go with her second choice and since she IS my mother-

She gets two! Along with her chocolate angel, Mom picked Wingnut's cinnamon coffee roll. Everything from Wingnut's Donut Shop at 1207 Mt. Hermon Rd.(410-546-4780) is always fresh and as Pa Jim would say "super good!" Stop by Wingnut's when you are in Salisbury and congratulate the owners on the birth of their new baby boy. Always room in this world for another donut maker!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma! Notice the extended pinkie finger, perfect donut eating etiquette. After one bite, she put her donut down and ate it with a fork. The balloon wrist corsage was made by Sunshine the Clown(sunshinetheclown.org). How many 66 year olds get a clown at their birthday party!?

Sunshine made a beautiful heart wand for "Princess Shelby"

Caroline got a cool octopus sculpture! Nicholas and Nathan were moving so quickly , their pictures came out blurs. Nathan's birthday is coming up soon, so we'll adjust the camera .

Mom's party was held at the Texas Roadhouse at 107 E Cedar Ln in Fruitland(texasroadhouse.com). A fun time was had by all, even though I was attacked by the balloon octopus, who tried to suck my brains out.

Hope you had a great birthday Mom! We love you and Eat Happy!!

The Daily Donut Day 12- Griff's Dunker

Aah, the naked donut. So many possibilities. You can eat these just as they are, put your favorite topping on, or dunk in your favorite hot beverage. I love to dunk these lovelies in my hot coffee. The donut has to be just hard enough to absorb the liquid, but not fall apart in your coffee. Griff's Bakery & Donut Shop in the Hickman shopping center on Rt1 in Bethany Beach(302-539-8879) gets these just right! Griff's not only makes donuts, but you can find all types of baked goods from danish and bear claws to apple turnovers. Not a bad choice in the place.

Cindy Lou had never been a dunker before, but it is hard to say no to these "brown bettys". These donuts drink up just the right amount of coffee.

Stop by Griff's in Bethany Beach for friendly service and great donuts. They don't even mind if you double dip!

Eat Happy!