We blind-tasted doughnuts from every local shop that makes its own in Kansas City— here are the best

What’s the best donut in Kansas City? The staff at 435 Magazine aimed to find out through an extravagant day-long blind taste test. We picked up doughnuts — “two glazed, two of your most popular” — from every local shop that makes its own in Kansas City and was open on one sugar-drenched Tuesday in July. After carefully slicing each doughnut into bite-sized nuggets, we assigned each sample a random number and went to town. The staff tasted dozens of doughnuts, ranking each on a scale from one to five. Here’s what we found when we tabulated the results.

Number 1 Pick: Glazed at Jack’s Donuts

2400 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Suite 110, Independence, MO  |  816-461-7424

You want the best doughnut in metro Kansas City? Well, get ready to drive to Independence. One of the first things you’ll see at Jack’s Donuts is a large applique of a glazed cake doughnut and a coffee cup that reads “Since 1969.” This tiny shop doesn’t even have a website, but our staff consistently raved about the doughnuts’ texture.

2: Lemon Cake at  Marrio’s Donut Shop

8930 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS  |  913-291-1606  |  marriosdonutshop.com

If you’re looking for a more decadent start to your day, look no further than the rich lemon cake doughnut from Overland Park’s own Marrio’s. Tasters loved the rich flavor. This hole-in-the-wall shop inside an OP plaza also offers sandwiches and live music.

3: Glazed at LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee

3395 Main St., Kansas City, MO  |  816-561-7176  |  lamars.com

We love the Midtown location of this KC classic, and it’s no surprise that LaMar’s beloved glazed fared well. This doughnut is balanced, but the sweetness lingers long after you’ve taken the first bite.

4: Glazed at Fluffy Fresh Donuts

10123 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO  |  816-942-9822  |   fluffyfreshdonuts.com

Fluffy Fresh Donuts lives up to its name, with a light and sweet family glazed doughnut recipe. Conveniently located at the state line, the family-owned business has been open since the 1970s.

5: Chocolate Long John at Jack’s Donuts

2400 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Suite 110, Independence, MO  |  816-461-7424

The second entry from our overall winner, Jack’s Donuts of Independence, this delectable chocolate long john melts in your mouth, seamlessly blending its rich fudge topping with a fluffiness underneath.

6: Glazed at Mr. D’s Donut Shop

11222 W. 75th St, Shawnee, KS  |  913-631-1282

Shawnee’s Mr. D’s made our tasters nostalgic with a nice balance of flaky and fluffy. “I would eat a dozen of these; they taste like childhood,” said one taster. Head there early, as they’re known to sell out due to high demand.

7: Rosé at Fairway Creamery

5938 Mission Road, Fairway, KS  |  913-608-5515

KC confectioner Christopher Elbow just opened this doughnut shop and ice cream parlor in June, and it’s already placing in our taste test thanks to this cute pink rosé doughnut.

8: Bacon at Hurts Donuts

8809 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO  |  816-419-6881

Springfield-based Hurts is arguably not local, but we decided to let them in. The bacon doughnut is a bomb of salty and sweet that offers a savory bacon crunch and maple icing that brings it all together with a punch of sweetness.

9: Blueberry at LaMar’s

3395 Main St., Kansas City, MO  |  816-561-7176  |  lamars.com

At LaMar’s, you can’t go wrong with a blueberry doughnut — it’s like the crumbly, cakey, spherical cousin of a blueberry muffin.

10: Glazed at Johnny’s Donuts

4424 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, MO  |  816-921-5012

This eastside KC shop has not only doughnuts but also classic diner-style hamburgers to go. Johnny’s Donuts has been around since 1961. Make sure you bring cash because the shop doesn’t take cards.

*Also Tasted: KC Donut Co., Big Daddy’s Donuts, Donutology, Donut King, Doughboys Donuts, YOS Donut, Hana’s Donuts

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