Toronto Doughnuts: Polish Doughnuts at Benna’s Bakery & Deli

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues…

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The iconic Granowska’s may have closed down, but those hankering for Polish treats at Roncesvalles can still find pączki (Polish doughnuts) at Benna’s Bakery & Deli. Amidst the jars of pickles, the sauerkraut and kielbasa, and the perogies (those tasty, tasty perogies), you’ll find the spongy doughnuts at Benna’s pastry counter. The traditional filling is a stewed plum jam, but you’ll find other fruits as well.

While these doughnuts are made and bought year-round, pączki are especially enjoyed on Pączki Day, harkening back to a time as far as the 17th century when flour, sugar, butter, and milk were brought to a holy union and fried in lard by Catholic Poles  feasting before Lent. I doubt anyone uses fat for frying today, but the doughnut was definitely rich and sweet, the sort of treat you’ll have before going on a more secular fast.

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab / Bonjour Brioche / Caldense Bakery /Glory Hole / Mexi-Can Market / Nova Era Bakery / Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken /  Venezia Bakery

Benna’s Bakery & Deli
135 Roncesvalles Ave. | Yelp

 

Toronto Doughnuts: Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues…

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Paulette’s makes donuts, they fry chicken, and they recently won 86′d Mondays‘ “ultimate donut battle” at the Drake Hotel. No small feat, considering they were competing against the likes of Glory Hole, Dough by Rachelle, Bestellen, and Sweet Escape Patisserie. Paulette’s blueberry balsamic doughnut was the crowd-pleasing favourite of the night, with the winner declared based on popular vote after rounds and rounds of doughnuts were consumed by a very packed house. We will summarily describe the event as a Homer Simpson fantasy come to life. But for those that missed it, Paulette’s doughnuts are available Tuesday through Sunday from their amazing smelling storefront in Leslieville. Pictured here are their root beet float and raspberry rose flavours from our last visit. $2.75 each.

Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken
913 Queen Street East | Website

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab / Bonjour Brioche / Caldense Bakery / Mexi-Can Market / Nova Era Bakery / Venezia Bakery

Toronto Doughnuts: Venezia Bakery

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues… -BHH

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We’ve heralded Portuguese doughnuts before and we’ll likely do it again before this little round up is done (spoiler alert, we’re fans). With that said, it was pretty surprising that we left the venerable Venezia Bakery unmentioned for so long. On most days the cafe is a one-woman operation serving up breads, pastries, hot sandwiches and even a few grocery essentials to local patrons. To some, Venezia must seem like a defiant holdover on what is fast becoming restaurant-mile on Ossington. To label it an anachronism, however, would be to betray the timeless appeal of their baked goods – the kind that would make Venezia feel right at home in any neighbourhood. Next time you’re in their’s before sundown, we recommend you have yourself one of their giant doughnuts with your morning or afternoon coffee. You’ll probably be tempted to stock up on some of their classic pastéis be nata for later too.

Venezia Bakery
114 Ossington Avenue

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab, Bonjour Brioche, Caldense Bakery, Mexi-Can Market, Nova Era Bakery

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Toronto Doughnuts: Mexi-Can Market

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues… -BHH

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Mexi-Can Market’s two College Street locations are recent additions to Toronto’s limited number of small grocers specializing in authentic Mexican products. Among the pork rinds, salsas, confections and other “hecho en Mexico” products are the obligatory churros – deep fried, rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with your choice of chocolate or caramel filling. According to BlogTO the fixings are sourced from Pancho’s Bakery in Kensington Market, but at Mexi-Can they’re conveniently made-to-order while you do your bodega-style grocery shopping. $1.50 each, 4 for $5.

Mexi-Can Market
310 & 1232 College Street

More Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab, Bonjour Brioche, Caldense Bakery, Nova Era Bakery

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Toronto Doughnuts: Caldense Bakery

Our Homer’s Odyssey into Toronto’s doughnuts continues… and we’re taking recommendations! -BHH

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Caldense locations, like most Portuguese bakeries, pump out custard tarts by the tray-full. But if you’re lucky enough to walk in on a fresh batch of their more elusive malasadas (L.K.A. filhos?), you’d be remiss to pass on them. These tennis-ball-sized malasadas have plenty of chewy bite to them. They come without any fillings but pack a hint of citrus in the dough and a generous coating of sugary cinnamon crunch that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet. 3 for $1.

Caldense Bakery
1209 Dundas Street West | Website

More: Toronto Doughnuts: Bake Lab / Toronto Doughnuts: Nova Era Bakery

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