Entenmann’s is one of those brands that holds a special place in many people’s memories of childhood. I’ve heard some people say they always had a chocolate fudge cake for their birthday, and others still can’t pass by a box of Entenmann’s Little Bites in the grocery store without picking them up. But personally, I think Entenmann’s donuts are the most iconic treat it sells by far.
To see if the passage of time has changed my perception of these iconic childhood treats, I picked up seven Entenmann’s donut flavors and had editors and colleagues around the office share their thoughts. I ranked the flavors from worst to best, and the results were actually really surprising.
7. Entenmann’s Rich Frosted Donuts
I know, I know. This may come as a surprise to many, as it is the “classic” Entenmann’s donut, but it just fell short. So many colleagues went into the taste test saying that this was their childhood favorite, but they were shocked by how different it tasted from how they remembered.
The biggest complaint about this flavor was the chocolate coating. It was crunchy and somehow waxy, which made the texture very distracting. A few tasters were also thrown off by the flavor of the donut; there was a bit of a lemon flavor, but we couldn’t find lemon flavoring on the ingredient list.
While this one is ranked the lowest in this taste test, I can’t take away the obvious nostalgia factor that it has. There was one person who participated in the taste test who still found them to be delicious and took a few home. But, as democracy goes, the majority rules.
6. Entenmann’s Cinnamon Donuts
I was a little disappointed with these “Soft’ees” cinnamon donuts. I was expecting to really get that cinnamon flavor in every bite, but it was underwhelming. I tasted more powdered sugar than cinnamon in it. I did like the soft and airy texture of this donut, but Alex Foster, assistant editor, actually said the “Soft’ees” had a hard bite. It’s almost like your teeth get stuck together when you bite down.
5. Entenmann’s Powdered Donuts
Who doesn’t love a classic powdered donut? The thick powdered sugar just coats your mouth with every bite, filling it with a sweet, sugary taste. Just make sure not to breathe in or out when taking a bite or you will be covered in dust. And the donut itself is light, fluffy, and moist. This was also a “Soft’ees” donut, so I was a fan of the light texture.
4. Entenmann’s Devil’s Food Donuts
These double chocolate donuts were really tasty, which shocked me after I disliked the rich frosted ones so much. The chocolate cake of the Devil’s Food donut just has a lot better flavor than the yellow cake of the rich frosted ones. This cake was moist, decadent, and sweet.
Some tasters said that the chocolate icing tasted a little unnatural and had that same waxy texture as the rich frosted ones, but overall it was a good chocolate donut. I liked this one more than most other people in the taste test, and had it ranked number three at first — so just know that I am a big fan.
3. Entenmann’s Plain Donuts
I did not expect to love these plain “Soft’ees” donuts as much as I did, and I was shocked by how many others in the taste test enjoyed them too. They were moist, soft, and tasty. You get some butteriness and sugariness without either making the treat feel too heavy. Even though this plain one isn’t covered in icing or coated in sugar, it’s still plenty sweet.
Mara Weinraub, director of groceries and shopping, even said these are a great “base” donut if you ever want to add your own spin on it. Whether that is a birthday party activity of decorating with icing, or maybe you prefer yours with cream cheese and grape jelly (hey, don’t knock it until you try it), then this is the classic choice for you.
2. Entenmann’s Buttermilk Glazed Donuts
The Buttermilk Glazed Donuts really surprised me. As a “hot now” Krispy Kreme Doughnut purist, I wasn’t expecting the same melt-in-my-mouth experience, but these Entenmann’s ones were so delicious. The icing was sweet, but not too sugary, and the donut was fluffy and not too heavy. It wasn’t the most moist thing that I have ever tasted, but I wasn’t smacking my lips together in dryness either.
Janette Zepeda, culinary producer, joined in the taste test and said she was even getting some notes of coconut. Alex also loved this flavor and said that it was a very solid glazed donut. I certainly would not be mad if I went to a brunch that had these out. In fact, they might be my first choice over the bagels.
1. Entenmann’s Crumb-Topped Donuts
The crumb-topped donuts were the clear winner from the taste test. Almost everyone who participated in the taste test loved the spices and texture that the topping brought. Janette said she could taste cinnamon and nutmeg — almost like a pumpkin spice donut.
The topping was buttery, crunchy, and cinnamony all in one. It really helped to dress up the base of the donut. One complaint (from the Rich Frosted Donuts fan) was that this donut had too much going on, so just be aware if you like your donuts on the simpler side.
