10 Small-Town Maryland Donut Shops I Drove To (5 Truly Stole The Show)

I’ve learned that Maryland’s best donuts rarely announce themselves with neon signs or polished storefronts. They’re hidden in sleepy main streets, tucked behind modest doors, and shared through word of mouth more than advertisements.

I spent weeks following those trails, driving into small towns at odd hours, sometimes just in time for a batch pulled warm from the fryer. Some places offered the comfort of a flawless glazed ring, while others experimented with flavors that felt bold and new.

What stayed with me wasn’t only the sugar and dough but the people, the quiet moments of discovery, and the sense that I’d stumbled onto something worth remembering. These ten shops became my proof.

1. Krumpe’s Do-Nut Shop (Hagerstown)

An alley glows faintly under a neon sign, and inside the small shop the buzz is constant. Customers file in late at night, and the fryer hisses like punctuation in the air.

Opened in the 1930s, Krumpe’s has become a Hagerstown ritual, still cutting donuts with original equipment. Their glazed rings shimmer, while filled donuts carry generous weight.

Tip: arrive after dark. Krumpe’s opens around 7 PM, and the fresh batches taste even better when the rest of the town is quiet.

2. Donut Shack (Severna Park)

The first whiff is unmistakable: oil, sugar, and yeast swirling in a wave as you push open the door. The counter is stacked with frosted classics, and the fryer hums in the back.

Since 1978, this shop has kept Severna Park sweet, pairing Ceremony Coffee with handmade donuts. Their reputation rests on steady output and an old-school sense of place.

Visitor tip: ask which tray just came out. The maple bacon and cinnamon crunch vanish almost instantly once they hit the counter.

3. Bay Country Bakery & Cafe (Cambridge)

Light streams across wooden counters, giving the café a gentle glow. Conversations blend with clinks of mugs, and the pastry case feels like an invitation.

Owners Gena and David Levy have turned this into a local anchor, balancing classic donuts with breads, bagels, and hearty breakfast fare. Their cinnamon-sugar twists remain a quiet favorite.

I lingered with a twist and coffee, watching locals greet staff by name. It felt less like a stop on my donut trail and more like joining a morning rhythm.

4. Sandy Pony Donuts (Annapolis)

Bright colors and playful signage set a cheerful mood before you even taste anything. The line moves quickly, and the fryer at the back sends up a sweet mist that clings to your clothes.

Donuts here come in bold forms: candy-topped rings, fruit glazes, and thick frostings that lean toward novelty but keep their balance. Their menu favors fun combinations without sacrificing texture.

Seasonal quirk: in fall, pumpkin spice takes over the board. It may sound predictable, yet their version has a warmth that actually feels earned.

5. Carlson’s Donuts & Thai Kitchen (Annapolis)

It’s unusual at first glance: the smell of lemongrass and basil mixes with sugar and glaze. The small shop juggles two kitchens, one producing savory Thai plates, the other fresh donuts.

The owners built this dual identity over years, combining culinary traditions rather than keeping them apart. Coconut, pandan, and Thai tea glazes show how the menu carries influence beyond Annapolis.

Visitor tip: order a dozen mixed. Pairing a classic glazed with a Thai-inflected flavor reveals how the shop thrives in contrast, not competition.

6. Stole The Show: Donut Connection (Lexington Park)

Rows of donuts sit in trays with a no-nonsense presentation. The room feels spare, fluorescent-lit, but the smell of fried dough cuts through the plain atmosphere.

This chain outpost serves commuters early, offering yeast rings, filled donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. It may not aim for flair, but consistency is the draw.

I stopped midmorning and watched trays empty faster than they refilled. I missed the apple fritters that locals swore by, but the simple glazed still held enough heft to satisfy.

7. Stole The Show: B. Doughnut (La Plata)

The scent of warm sugar greets you before the door shuts behind you. Chalkboard menus and handwritten notes add charm, the space humming with casual conversation.

Known for creativity, B. Doughnut turns out flavors like maple bourbon, fruit curds, and glazes that shift with the seasons. Presentation is polished, but substance remains strong.

I ordered four varieties and noticed each one had intention. The fillings didn’t overwhelm, the crusts stayed crisp, and it felt like every choice was carefully thought through.

8. Stole The Show: Fractured Prune (Ocean City)

You start with a blank canvas: a plain, hot donut. The counter brims with jars of glazes, sprinkles, and drizzles waiting for their moment. The process is noisy, cheerful, almost theatrical.

Founded in the 1970s, Fractured Prune built its name on customization. Ocean City keeps the tradition alive with beachgoers streaming in to design their own creations.

Go off-peak, mid-afternoon. Lines get long when the boardwalk is busy, and the best part is watching your donut dipped and dressed without a crowd pressing in.

9. Stole The Show: Lorenzo’s Frostburg Bakery (Frostburg)

Snow dusted the street the morning I stepped into Lorenzo’s, and the shop’s heat hit instantly. Counters displayed loaves and bagels alongside trays of cake donuts. The vibe was homely, steady.

The bakery has anchored Frostburg’s food scene for decades, supplying both everyday bread and treats. Their donuts lean simple: powdered, glazed, and occasionally filled, without fuss.

I watched the racks thin quickly on a Saturday. By noon, the more indulgent donuts were gone, and I felt lucky to snag a powdered ring while it lasted.

10. Stole The Show: Divergent Donuts (Havre De Grace)

The walls pop with color, and the case nearly overflows with donuts that look more like art pieces. Bright glazes, unusual toppings, and surprising shapes grab your attention before you even taste one.

The menu lives up to its name, expect flavors like matcha, ube, yuzu, and other inventive combinations alongside the usual classics. Each donut is crafted to look as distinctive as it tastes.

I tried five flavors here and was floored. Their salted-yuzu glaze, tangy yet sweet, was the kind of flavor that makes you plan a return trip.