Krispy Kreme Ghostbusters Donuts

For the first time since January, I was off from work this past Saturday and couldn't have been more excited for the big day.  Knowing that it was the last Saturday before Halloween, my girlfriend and I wanted to treat it as such in celebration of the amazing season we've had in 2014.  The plan was to hop on the train, make the quick commute to NYC, grab a few Ghostbusters donuts from Krispy Kreme, eat at Jekyll and Hyde's in Times Square, drink at Times Scare afterwards, and enjoy a Haunted House followed by some Scaryoke.  It was quite the endeavor and, thankfully, I can say we pulled it all off without a hitch and it better than a few Halloweens I've had in the past.  It was too much fun to convey in words, but it wouldn't have been half of what it was without our very first stop at NY Penn Station!

Halloween at Dunkin Donuts - A Holidaze Tribute

Dunkin Donuts and I go way back.  For as long as I can remember, that logo you see above has been a part of my life in one way or another.  Whether it was my Dad bringing home that retro box of a dozen donuts to my Grandparents or my Mom ordering a large hot coffee, there are many memories and a great deal of nostalgia now associated with the pink and orange.  In particular, Dunkin Donuts will always have a strong connection to Halloween.  So much, in fact, that it's become an annual tradition to indulge as much as possible when this time of year rolls around.  Don't get me wrong, I drink two iced coffees a day, but the spooky season invites us to take our game to the next level and really soak in The Holidaze.

Apple Cider Donuts

About a week ago, I went camping with my family for the second time in my life.  The first time was around 1999.  I went with my Parents and cousin.  We went in the middle of April, it was freezing and, to make a long story short, we wound up "camping" in a heated hotel room with our tents stored in my Dad's truck.  This happened two nights in a row so, looking back on history, I didn't think I'd be cut out to make it through another round of camping, no matter how much older I am.  But, thankfully, it wasn't as cold, I was better prepared, and this city boy spent a night in the woods without any sign of Jason Vorhees or Racoons.  

But is that's not what this blog post is about.  See, before we made it to Cheesequake Park, we stopped at Path-Mark to get some snacks.  You know, the typical popcorn and smores.  We needed some drinks, too.  But, the first thing that caught my eye were donuts.  They're not the name brand variety, but they're not Path-Mark's either.  They're that in-between brand that never gets any recognition, but should because they're so good.

They had Pumpkin donuts, but here's what I went with..

Harvest Time Apple Crisp Donuts!  That's their official name, but Path-Mark had one of those hand drawn posters calling them "Apple Cider Donuts."  I like that much better!  I had amazing Apple Cider donuts last year while apple picking with my girlfriend, so I had high hopes for these.  They're made by Country Treats, but that doesn't mean much.  That most likely means they were made on some farm in the tri-state area.  Who knows what that means?  As far as I was concerned, these were new, looked good, and I had to try them!

These Apple Cider Donuts didn't actually get opened until we got home from our camping trip because I didn't want any bugs invading my beauties and getting a chance to try them before we did.  I absolutely hate bugs and because of a scary daddy long leg spider, I almost didn't get into my tent.  He was guarding it well with his tree-like legs and big black body.  No matter how big I am, I will always be more afraid of bugs than they are of me.  I can handle flies and tiny aunts.  But anything bigger than a quarter that flies?  I'm outta here.  I'm a big baby.

So, I popped the plastic open as soon as I got home and was very pleased with the scent.  It's appleicious.  That's not a word, but as soon as I smelled them, that word came to mind and I had to share it.  The donuts were also very soft so I knew they were fresh.  Sometimes, the baked donuts from grocery stores aren't so good.  Maybe they're made there and sit for a while, maybe the farm is slow with their delivery.  I couldn't tell ya, but I know these are good to go!

I used my Iphone to snap the pictures because I like the way the flash makes them pop.  They look more like cinnamon donuts than apple, but that's okay.  In fact, they're called Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts.  I know I told you they're called Apple Crisp, but obviously Country Treats has problems making up their minds.  That's why I just call them Apple Cider Donuts.  That makes things much easier and sounds better.  Even Path Mark didn't want to waste their time writing out "Apple Crisp Cinnamon Sugar Cake Donuts."  Other than Martha Stewart, nobody talks like that.  And by the time they do, I've usually lost interest.  Apple Cider.. Boom! Done!

No matter what you call these donuts, or who made them, they absolutely delicious.  These were soo good!  They're actually some of the best donuts I've ever had.  They taste like Apple, they have a hint of cinnamon, and are perfectly textured.  I sound like a fat guy, but look, I love these donuts.  They didn't last very long here because they're so addictive.  

I tried Googling Country Treats to find out where they come from, but I didn't find anything.  I wanted to tell you guys where to get them, because I know you'll be pleased with the Apple Cider Donuts, but I have no idea.  I don't know if they're exclusive to Path Mark or to my area.  I can't tell you where to go, but I do advise you to find them and give them a try.  I'm not usually into this type of donut, but I wanted something for the cool, Fall season and thought this would be perfect.  I was definitely right.  If you're looking for the same thing, check out your local Path Mark and see if they have it in stock.  It might be a long shot, but a worthy one.  But, if you happen to live near Jersey City, NJ, check out the Path Mark on Rt. 440 and you're guaranteed to find this Fall gem.

Halloween Donuts

I first went to Salem, MA with my Family in 1999.  It was an amazing trip that led the way for many more, but one of the most significant memories I have are just how many Dunkin' Donuts franchises there were in Massachusetts.  Sure, there are more than enough in NJ, but it felt as though you couldn't walk a single block without finding multiple Dunkin' Donuts stores.  I think we really started to realize just how many there were when we forgot where we parked.  We all said "we were definitely next to a Dunkin' Donuts."  Yeah, that little bit of information did us no good.

However, since that time, I can't go a Halloween season without their Halloween Donuts.  I've seen variations of style over the years, but there is only one that matters to me.  There is only one Dunkin' Donut I need to make the Halloween season a success..

This 1/2 dozen box of beauty is all I need.  You can have your spider-webbed-cream-filled, you can have your chocolate frosted with orange sprinkles, and you can have your little munchkins, but I'm taking the orange frosted donuts!  Just look at them!

The orange color is perfect for Halloween, but this year, they seem to be better fit for Fall than Halloween.  In the past, I remember seeing purple sprinkles and more defined pumpkins.  This year, there are far too many red, yellow, and brown sprinkles.  But I can live with them.  The most important aspect is the icing and that is, as always, awesome.  No, it doesn't taste any different than the vanilla frosted, but white donuts don't represent Halloween in any way whatsoever.  If you want celebrate the spooky season, you need a spooky donut and it needs to be orange.  Until I see green, purple, gray or black frosted, this is the best you can find at Dunkin' Donuts.  But of course, now I'm imaging what those other colors would look like and I'm mad they don't make 'em.  These need to be done!

Imagine walking into Dunkin' Donuts on October 31st and finding that assortment?? Whoa, Make it happen, DD!

As Jay-Z would say, on to the next one..

Of course, you don't have to depend on Dunkin' Donuts alone for your Halloween Donuts.  Oh no, Entenmann's has also dressed their classic assortment of rich frosted donuts in their Halloween attire!  The box claims that they're new, but I'm not so sure so I won't argue with them.  I know I've seen Entenmann's Halloween Donuts before, but I can't remember what they looked like.  Actually, come to think of it, I may be thinking of their orange candy corn cupcakes.  Whatever, either way, here are horrifically delicious Halloween donuts!

I don't go out of my way to eat Entenmann's donuts, but I enjoy them enough to grab a few when they're present at family parties.  However, these donuts seem to be different than the usual release.  The awesome colors are one thing, but the flavor is something else.  It may just be me, but I swear these chocolate donuts actually taste orangey.  That's not a word, but who cares?  I'm excited over the fact that these things have the perfect hint of Halloween orange that I made up my own word to better suit my description.  Did Entenmann's artificially flavor their sprinkles to make their classic assortment even better?  I'm gonna have to say they did, because my taste buds rarely lie to me.  That takes these donuts to an all new level.  I can't get enough of them.  They're amazing.

Most would probably say it's pretty pathetic how happy a grown man gets over Halloween donuts, and they'd be right, but I just can't help myself.  For so many countless reasons, I absolutely love this season and Entenmann's has just given me another to add to my list.  I named my blog the Holidaze in appreciation for everything that puts me in a "daze" during the Holidays and these donuts are perfect example of what I'm talking about.  Immerse yourself in the Halloween season and enjoy the little things offered to you only once every year.  With only 12 days before this season comes to an end, you owe it to yourself to embrace Halloween and get as much out of it as you can!