I Hit 10 Donut Shops Across Small-Town Kentucky And Found 2 That Were Unforgettable
Small-town Kentucky is full of sweet surprises, and donut shops are no exception.
On a recent tour of ten local bakeries, most delivered tasty treats, but two stood out as truly unforgettable.
From perfectly fluffy dough to creative glazes and fillings, these gems captured the heart and taste buds of anyone lucky enough to find them.
Every bite felt like a delicious secret, proving that the best donuts often hide in the most unexpected places.
1. Burke’s Bakery & Delicatessen — Danville, KY
Walking into Burke’s feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen, complete with the smell of fresh bread and coffee brewing.
Their cake donuts have a dense, satisfying crumb that pairs beautifully with their house-made apple butter topping.
The deli side of the business sometimes overshadows the donuts, which is a shame because they’re genuinely good.
Still, nothing here made me want to drive an extra hour out of my way, though the maple bacon donut earned some serious respect from this skeptical traveler.
2. Hadorn’s Bakery — Bardstown, KY
Bardstown’s oldest bakery keeps things refreshingly simple with classic recipes that haven’t changed in decades.
The glazed donuts here are perfectly golden, not too sweet, and have that melt-in-your-mouth texture you rarely find anymore.
Their cream-filled long johns are generously stuffed, though nothing about the experience screams innovative.
Solid execution, friendly service, but it didn’t quite reach unforgettable status for me despite the nostalgic charm and reasonable prices that keep locals coming back daily.
3. Golden Glaze Bakery & Deli — Madisonville, KY
Madisonville surprised me with this cheerful yellow storefront that promises golden perfection right in the name.
Their signature glaze has a hint of vanilla bean that elevates the standard donut experience without getting too fancy about it.
The blueberry cake donuts were fresh and packed with real fruit, not that artificial goop some places use. However, the texture was slightly dry, and the coffee was disappointingly weak.
Good enough for a quick stop but not destination-worthy in my book, though locals seem to adore it.
4. Red’s Donut Shop — Paducah, KY
Paducah’s Red’s has been slinging donuts since the 1970s, and you can taste the decades of experience in every bite.
Their sour cream donuts are ridiculously fluffy, with a subtle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly. The shop itself is tiny, with barely enough room for three people to stand comfortably while ordering.
Red’s does traditional flavors exceptionally well, but there’s zero innovation happening here. Respectable and reliable, but my taste buds weren’t doing backflips after leaving this retro spot on the river.
5. Riley’s Bakery — Bowling Green, KY
Bowling Green’s Riley’s operates out of a strip mall, which initially lowered my expectations considerably.
Surprisingly, their raised donuts have an airy texture that rivals some big-city spots I’ve visited over the years.
The chocolate icing tastes homemade rather than from a bucket, and their cinnamon rolls are absolutely massive.
Yet something indefinable was missing, that special spark that makes you tell everyone you know about a place. Riley’s is great for a sugar fix but won’t change your life or haunt your dreams later.
6. Rolling Pin Pastry Shop — Owensboro, KY
Owensboro’s Rolling Pin tries hard to be fancy, offering European-style pastries alongside traditional American donuts.
Their croissant-donut hybrid was flaky and buttery, showing real technical skill in the lamination process.
However, the classic glazed felt like an afterthought, lacking the soul that makes small-town bakeries special.
The shop caters to a more upscale crowd, with prices to match that ambition. Impressive craftsmanship, sure, but I prefer my donut shops to feel less like a trendy cafe and more like a neighborhood hangout spot.
7. Frank’s Donuts — Paris, KY
Paris might be known for horses, but Frank’s Donuts deserves some recognition too for their consistently good product.
The apple fritters here are loaded with chunks of real apple and have that perfect crispy exterior that shatters when you bite in.
Frank himself still works the counter most mornings, chatting with regulars who’ve been coming for thirty years.
The donuts are great, the vibe is warm, but nothing about the flavors or textures pushed beyond comfortable familiarity. Frank’s earns an A-minus in my book, delicious but safely traditional.
8. Russellville Donuts — Russellville, KY
Russellville’s tiny donut shop operates out of what used to be a gas station, and honestly, it still kind of looks like one.
Their donuts are made fresh every morning before dawn, and you can taste that commitment in the still-warm glaze.
The Boston cream was properly filled, not skimpy like so many places, and the chocolate topping was rich and glossy.
Everything here is perfectly fine, perfectly acceptable, and perfectly forgettable once you drive away. Sometimes good just isn’t quite enough to make a lasting impression on your palate.
9. Amon’s Sugar Shack — Somerset, KY (Unforgettable)
Somerset’s Amon’s Sugar Shack absolutely destroyed my expectations with donuts so good I nearly cried into my coffee.
Their bourbon-glazed donut captures Kentucky’s spirit perfectly, with real bourbon flavor that’s boozy but not overwhelming at all.
The texture is impossibly light yet rich, achieving that magical balance few bakers ever master in their careers.
Amon’s also makes a salted caramel old-fashioned that haunts my dreams regularly now. This place is worth driving hours for, and I’m already planning my return trip to Somerset soon.
10. Doughdaddy’s Doughnuts — Versailles, KY (Unforgettable)
Versailles wins the naming game with Doughdaddy’s, and thankfully the donuts live up to that playful, confident title.
Their maple bacon donut features thick-cut bacon and real maple syrup, not that fake pancake stuff, creating perfect sweet-savory harmony.
What really sets Doughdaddy’s apart is their willingness to experiment with wild flavors like lavender honey and spicy chocolate.
Every single donut I tried showed creativity, skill, and genuine passion for the craft. This shop represents the future of small-town bakeries while respecting tradition beautifully throughout.