Fany Gerson – the Mexican pastry chef who also makes some of the city’s best paletas at La Newyorkina – opened her Bed Stuy donut shop Dough five years ago, and has since developed such a following that she had to open two other locations (4 West 19th Street and 700 8th Avenue inside City Kitchen). Her giant, pillowy donuts are glazed, dusted, or drenched in a rotating menu of innovative flavors, often inspired by Latin American desserts; the current menu features flavors like hibiscus, chocolate with earl gray, and tropical chili, alongside the more traditional glazed. My personal favorite is the Dulce de Leche, which offsets the donut’s rich, creamy glaze and fluffy texture with the satisfying crunch of toasted almonds.
There’s really no bad time to eat a Dough donut, as I learned when I moved 10 blocks from the shop and habitually ate them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. But since today is National Donut Day it’s a particularly good time to stop by. Especially since Gerson is offering the chance to win a year’s supply of free doughnuts at her Bed Stuy locale (448 Lafayette Ave, Bed-Stuy, 1) with the purchase of half-dozen box today.