After our most recent visit to Butler County, I declared this an annual trip. Why? Easy. They have a DONUT TRAIL. What does that mean? Similar in style to our ale trail and coffee trail, you visit 12 different locally owned donut shops, eat a donut and get a stamp in your passport. Once you’ve collected all twelve stamps, you’re eligible to get a shirt. While the shirt is incredibly cute and awesome bragging rights, did you read that you get to eat donuts from TWELVE LOCAL DONUT SHOPS?!
You can eat all about our first visit and a bit more background on the trail here.
The last time we hit the Donut Trail, we managed to squeeze in three stops. And since we were planning to spend the weekend in Butler County again, we figured sticking to the same number would be ideal. We wouldn’t want to overdose on sugar and end up in a food coma, right? After all, there are plenty of other exciting places to discover in Butler County, and we wouldn’t want to miss out on any of them just because we couldn’t resist gobbling down more donuts!
Stop 1 : The Donut House
At The Donut House in West Chester, you can indulge in freshly made, from-scratch donuts accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee. The best part? You can customize your donut to your liking by selecting from a variety of creams or jellies, which will be filled right in front of your eyes!
The moment we stepped into the shop, we were met with warm greetings from the ladies manning the front counter, even though they were in the middle of a conversation with some regular customers. The regulars seemed to be regretting their past donut-related decisions and were determined to get enough for their trip back home this time. We couldn’t help but notice that every person who walked in appeared to be a regular because the staff engaged them in personalized conversations. Their exceptional customer service was just as delightful as their mouth-watering donuts!
I love their color scheme. Very warm and welcoming.
The donut shops we’ve visited so far have all had fresh donuts on offer. But what sets these places apart is their unique approach to customization. You get to choose the type of donut you want, pick the filling of your choice, and then watch as they fill it right in front of you! Talk about freshness at its finest, am I right?
We need to discuss one of the most iconic donuts out there – the apple fritter. And let me tell you, the one we had was out of this world! It was warm, crispy, and had the perfect amount of sweetness – not too much, not too little. Trust me, it was a mouthwatering masterpiece!
The place was buzzing with a steady stream of customers, and it was evident that the demand for their delicious donuts was high! During our visit, we saw them constantly replenishing the trays with fresh batches of mouthwatering goodies. It didn’t make my decision-making any easier, though, as each new tray they brought out seemed to be more tempting than the last. But, oh my! The dough was heavenly – light, airy, and soft, just the way a donut base should be!
Don’t forget to capture a photo in front of the #donuttrail signs at every stop!
This bear claw gave us a surprise. It was filled with a filling similar to apple pie. YUM.
LOCATION: 8268 Princeton-Glendale Rd
West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio 45069
PARKING: YES, PARKING LOT
PHONE: (513) 805-7739
SEATING: A few tables indoors, no outdoor seating
Stop 2: Stan the Donut Man
This West Chester gem is known for serving up some of the most scrumptious donuts around town. The Crowe family has been perfecting their family donut recipes for over five decades, and it shows in every bite. You can satisfy your donut cravings any day of the week, as Stan’s is open seven days per week. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Stan the Donut Man to find out exactly why he’s the man!
Our second stop on the Donut Trail led us to Stan the Donut Man, and as soon as we walked in, we could sense the classic vibe of the place. We soon learned that they have been serving their delightful treats for over two decades! And with the first bite, it was easy to see why they’ve been in business for so long – the donuts were simply irresistible!
Yeast donuts are my favorite.
For the past 50 years, the Crowe family has been running at least one donut shop, with the same passion and dedication that they started with. On average, they sell a whopping 2,600 donuts every Saturday and Sunday alone! To achieve that mouthwatering cinnamon flavor, they go through about 240 pounds of cinnamon each year. During winters, they welcome an average of 25 preschool tours. And here’s a fun fact – the main Hobart mixer that they use is 73 years old and still going strong! With such fantastic offerings, it’s no wonder that they attract an average of 38,000 customers every year.
I’ll take one of each, please. Especially the chocolate round!
Loved there twist on the “apple fritter” by making it a “pineapple fritter!”
LOCATION: 7967 Cincinnati Dayton Rd
West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio 45069
PARKING: YES, PARKING LOT
PHONE: (513) 759-0016
SEATING: Yes, Indoor Tables
Stop 3: Holtman’s Donuts
Holtman’s, the famous donut shop, had its humble beginnings in 1960 in Newtown, Ohio. They pride themselves on sticking to the traditional, old-fashioned way of making donuts – from scratch, using only the finest and freshest ingredients available. It’s no surprise that their donuts have gained such widespread popularity and fame! You simply have to try them out for yourself to understand what all the fuss is about.
Out of all the three spots we visited, Hultman’s Donuts was the most contemporary. You may already be familiar with them, as they have another location in Cincinnati’s OTR, although not as spacious as this one. Speaking of which, the setting at this location is simply stunning!
The floor tiles with the teal cushions and dark wood. Swoon. I love this combination.
If you prefer a donut shop where you can sit down and savor your treats, then this is the perfect spot for you. They offer various seating arrangements, including a few long tables that are ideal for accommodating large groups.
They have all the combinations. Whether you want a simple donut to bacon to super sweet, they have it all.
Two boxes, please!
I’m not usually a fan of “fancy” donuts, but, I couldn’t get over the red velvet cupcake with the icing and sprinkles. YUM!
I wanted to love the cinnamon toast crunch donut, but, what I’ve found with cereal toppings – they get stale! The base was good. My favorite of this trio was the pina colada. Oh man. I could eat that every morning.
We couldn’t wait to dive in. As soon as we walked outside, we opened up the boxes and took bite (or two). Stephen chose the bacon one, of course! Two thumbs up from him.
This is great.
LOCATION: 9558 Civic Center Blvd
West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio 45069
PARKING: YES, PARKING LOT
PHONE: (513) 755-1261
SEATING: Yes, various options indoor and outdoors. They offer tables for large groups, too!
DONUT SHOPS ON TRAIL
CENTRAL PASTRY SHOP | 1518 CENTRAL AVE,
HOLTMAN’S DONUTS | 9558 CIVIC CENTRE JUPITER COFFEE & DONUTS | 5252 DIXIE HWY
MARTIN’S DONUTS | 4 W. STATE ST., TRENTON, 513-988-0883
MILTON’S DONUTS | 3533 ROOSEVELT BLVD., MIDDLETOWN, 513-422-8612
MIMI’S DONUTS AND BAKERY | 2267MILLVILE AVE., LODDER’S HANOVER TOWNSHIP, 513-280-1911
OXFORD DOUGHNUT SHOPPE | 120 LOCUST ST., OXFORD, 513-523-9911
ROSS BAKERY | 4421 HAMILTON-CLEVES ROAD, ROSS TOWNSHIP, 513-738-3129; AND 1051 EATON AVE., HAMILTON, 513-894-9016
STAN THE DONUT MAN | 7967 CINCINNATI-DAYTON ROAD, LAKOTA SHOPPING PLAZA, WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, 513-759-0016 THE DONUT HOUSE | 8268 PRINCETON GLENDALE RD
THE DONUT SPOT | 5148 PLEASANT AVE. (U.S. 127), FAIRFIELD, 513-863-7033
TIPS
- While the first shop may have the most scrumptious donuts you’ve ever tasted, try to pace yourself. Don’t overindulge and end up feeling too full for the rest of the trail.
- Check the shop’s hours before heading out. Some places close once they sell out, even if it’s earlier than their regular closing time. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for any updates.
- Wear comfortable clothes! Avoid tight-fitting jeans or anything with buttons. Elastic pants or a dress would be perfect to accommodate all those donuts.
- Plan your trip ahead of time. You don’t have to complete the trail in one day or even one weekend. Take your time, enjoy the experience, and explore the charming town of Hamilton while you’re at it. Check out Municipal Brew Works for some fantastic brews.
- Just do it! Mark it on your calendar and make it a fun road-trip with family, friends, or your significant other. Butler County has so much to offer, and you’ll be amazed at everything you discover. Trust us, it’s worth the trip!
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