8 Local Donut Shops In Indiana With Mouth-Watering Baked Goods Worth A Road Trip
Indiana is hiding some sweet treasures that every donut lover should discover. From family-owned bakeries with decades of history to newer spots experimenting with bold flavors, the Hoosier State has quietly become a surprising hotspot for exceptional donuts.
I still remember the first time I bit into a warm glazed donut from a tiny shop, the kind that leaves powdered sugar on your shirt and a smile you can’t wipe away. Moments like that remind me why these bakeries feel less like quick stops and more like traditions worth savoring.
So pack your appetite and hit the road. These eight local donut shops aren’t just serving pastries; they’re serving up pieces of Indiana’s community, creativity, and charm, one delicious bite at a time.
1. Long’s Bakery
Locals start lining up before dawn at this cash-only bakery that’s been serving Indianapolis since 1955. The plain glazed yeast donuts achieve what few others can, perfect sweetness with an airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes you want to order a dozen.
The apple fritters deserve special mention too. Massive, crispy-edged, and loaded with cinnamon-spiced apple chunks, they’ve converted many a non-fritter fan over the years.
While their west side location remains the original favorite, their Southport Road spot offers the same legendary quality without requiring quite as long a wait in line.
2. Jack’s Donuts
The original Jack’s Donuts shop in New Castle represents Indiana donut royalty. Their tiger tail, a twisted chocolate and vanilla long john, remains the signature must-try that keeps customers coming back for generations.
Unlike many modern donut shops, Jack’s sticks to classic recipes and techniques. The caramel nut roll features a perfect balance of sweet caramel icing and crunchy peanuts atop a freshly fried yeast donut.
Though Jack’s has expanded to multiple locations across Indiana, the original New Castle shop maintains its small-town charm and commitment to quality that made them famous in the first place.
3. Parlor Doughnuts
When I first bit into Parlor’s signature layered donut, I actually gasped. The texture was unlike any donut I’d tried before, somewhere between a croissant and a donut with dozens of flaky layers that shatter delicately with each bite.
Their Evansville shop pioneered these artisanal treats, offering flavors ranging from French toast to churro. Each donut features a crisp exterior giving way to a buttery, tender interior that’s simply unforgettable.
Beyond donuts, they brew excellent craft coffee that pairs perfectly with their sweet creations, making it worth visiting even if you’re not typically a donut enthusiast.
4. Concannon’s Bakery Café
Family-owned since 1959, Concannon’s offers more than just donuts, but their raised glazed remains the standout that put them on Indiana’s bakery map. The perfect balance of yeasty dough and sweet glaze creates donut perfection.
Their apple fritters deserve special recognition too. Massive, crispy-edged, and loaded with real apple pieces, they’ve developed a cult following among Ball State students and locals alike.
The bakery café environment invites you to linger with a coffee while sampling their extensive pastry selection, making it feel more like a European café than a typical American donut shop.
5. Titus Bakery
Titus Bakery turns donut-making into an art form with their hand-cut, perfectly executed classics. Their pershing (a cinnamon-sugar coated, cream-filled masterpiece) remains their signature creation that regularly sells out by mid-morning.
Growing up nearby, my family’s Saturday tradition always included a Titus Bakery run. The warm welcome from staff who remember your usual order makes the experience even sweeter than their famous maple bacon long johns.
Beyond donuts, their danishes and cinnamon rolls have earned their own devoted following. The bakery’s expansion to multiple locations hasn’t diminished their quality or commitment to traditional recipes.
6. Rise’n Roll Bakery
What began as a small Amish bakery stand has grown into an Indiana phenomenon, with Rise’n Roll locations now dotting the state. Their cinnamon caramel donut, affectionately nicknamed “Amish crack” by devoted fans, features a perfect cake donut covered in a crunchy, crackly cinnamon-caramel coating.
The bakery maintains traditional Amish baking techniques while expanding their reach. Every donut still tastes homemade, with none of the artificial flavors found in chain bakeries.
Their Middlebury flagship location offers the full experience, with additional Amish country specialties like breads and pies worth exploring alongside their famous donuts.
7. Square Donuts
Square Donuts delivers exactly what their name promises, perfectly square donuts that taste as good as they look unique. Founded in Terre Haute in 1967, they’ve built their reputation on this distinctive shape that provides more surface area for glaze and toppings.
The square shape isn’t just a gimmick. These donuts feature a remarkably light texture that manages to stay fresh longer than typical round varieties. Their chocolate iced square remains their bestseller, with a rich chocolate glaze covering a pillowy yeast dough.
With longtime roots in Terre Haute (and Bloomington), Square Donuts proves that thinking outside the circle can lead to donut perfection.
8. Taylor’s Bakery
Operating since 1913, Taylor’s Bakery stands as one of Indianapolis’ oldest continuously running bakery. Their cake donuts achieve the perfect balance: crisp exterior giving way to a tender, not-too-sweet interior that showcases their century-old recipes.
While many visit for their famous danishes and decorated cakes, donut enthusiasts know to arrive early for seasonal specialties like their pumpkin donuts in fall. These spiced treats often sell out before noon.
The Nora location feels like stepping back in time, with glass cases displaying donuts made the same way for generations. This commitment to tradition while maintaining quality makes Taylor’s a true Indiana treasure worth any road trip.