Running rings around the competition: Atkins doughnuts hailed as among the best

By Nick Grabbe
Staff Writer

Published on November 21, 2008

A national magazine has rated the cider doughnuts at Atkins Farms Country Market as among the 12 best doughnuts in the country.

Saveur magazine included a feature on the best doughnuts in the United States in its October issue.

"Infused with Atkins' own apple cider, a blend of seasonal apple varieties like McIntosh and Cortland, and made by hand daily, the moist, sweet, slightly spicy treats are liberally rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and make an ideal breakfast or afternoon snack," according to the magazine's Web site.

In August, Atkins was notified that someone had nominated its cider doughnuts in the magazine's competition. To make sure the judges tasted the freshest possible doughnuts, bakery manager Carmin Santaniello delivered them to New York City personally, said Pauline Lannon, co-owner of Atkins.

There were about 100 doughnut makers nominated, and the winners were judged on the basis of shape, size, color, flavor and texture and consistent taste. Other winners included Allie's Doughnuts in North Kingston, R.I.; Bob's Coffee in Los Angeles; Holland Farms in Yorkville, N.Y.; and Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, Ore.

On a busy weekend in the fall, Atkins makes 10,000 cider doughnuts a day, some sprinkled with cinnamon and others left plain, Lannon said. Mail orders come from as far away as California and Florida, she said.

The secret to the cider doughnuts' popularity is consistency, Lannon said.

Staying the same

"It's having the same things since the early 1970s," she said. "We've had many opportunities to change what we're doing and we decided to stay the same."

The recognition of Atkins' doughnuts is "an incredible distinction for Amherst," said Tony Maroulis, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Now the rest of the world knows what we in Amherst know, that Atkins doughnuts are amazing," he said.

Cinda Jones, the chamber president, reacted similarly.

"Atkins sells the best-tasting doughnuts in the country? I didn't need any fancy New York culinary magazine to tell me that," she said.

This is not the first time an Amherst area business has won a national award, Jones said. Amherst restaurants and manufacturers often make "Top 100" lists, she said.