Editor’s Note: In 2021, Michael and Nicole Borrell began reviewing Lebanon Valley’s restaurants and eating attractions as the Lebanon Valley Food Critics. Since then, the couple has aimed to offer unbiased reviews of the eating and drinking establishments the Lebanon Valley has to offer. LebTown is pleased to be partnering with LVFC to share these reviews with our readers. Bon appétit!
Back in October, I posed the question to our followers and the response was overwhelming: Where can I find the best doughnut in the Lebanon Valley?
Thank you to all who offered suggestions and responses. We hope you had as much fun following along as it was for us to review and judge. We encourage everyone to get out and try all the doughnuts that we did.
We traveled to the farthest stretches of the Valley and we found the Best in the Valley. A special thank you to our participants: Fresh Donuts, Dutch-Way, The Filling Station, Twilight Acres Creamery & Bakery, and BG’s Value Market. While a doughnut is a doughnut, each location offers something a little different to cover anyone’s tastebuds.
We at LVFC appreciate all of the suggestions we received and comments about which doughnuts are your favorites. Just like us, you are passionate about your sweet treats.
Before we announce our winners, we must say that the real winners are all of us. We have so many fantastic doughnuts around the Lebanon Valley. Having traveled all across the country, there is no other area that has doughnuts like the ones we tasted.
Now the time has come for our winners.
The LVFC Honorable Mentions
- Blueberry @ Fresh Donuts
- Peanut butter-filled with chocolate icing @ Dutch-Way Markets
- Peanut butter-filled with chocolate icing @ BG’s Value Market
The LVFC Top Five
5: Apple fritter @ The Filling Station
Why we chose it: The fritter alone was just like any other place’s. What made this one stand out? They sliced and grilled it — sweetness overload, and made this a top choice.
4: Powdered cream-filled @ Twilight Acres Creamery & Bakery
Why we chose it: The cream filling itself was some of the best we ever had — so light and fluffy, and the perfect vanilla flavor. The doughnut maintained its shape throughout eating. It was worth the drive for this delectable treat.
3: Oreo @ BG’s Value Market
Why we chose it: They added crumbled Oreo cookie on top of a vanilla iced cream-filled doughnut. To us, the vanilla cream tasted different in each of the doughnuts. But in the Oreo, it was a great match between the toppings and the filling. We were not shortchanged on the amount of filling either.
2: Vanilla cream @ Fresh Donuts
Why we chose it: There were several reasons why this was a top selection for us. The powder did not create a mess while eating. The vanilla cream was an almost perfectly blended vanilla cream. It was a bite we cherished the whole way through.
1: Cinnamon sugar cream-filled @ Twilight Acres Creamery & Bakery
Why we chose it: I’m not going to lie; I thought this was a contest between Fresh and BG’s to determine the winner. But then a few people suggested a place I have driven by numerous times but never knew was there. Twilight Acres does not make many variations of doughnuts or make them everyday, but they will be the best you have ever had around here. The cinnamon sugar and that perfect, fluffy cream filling with a sweet vanilla flavor was the unanimous winner in our book!
Do you agree with our lists? Let us know in the comments.
Be on the lookout for our next season, as we will be starting the “Wing Wars.”
If you have a restaurant you would like us to visit or review, whether a place you like or are nervous to try, please message us on Facebook or email lvfoodcritics@outlook.com and let us know. We thank everyone for the recommendations and the kind words we have received.