FEATURE

Washtenaw County doughnut throwdown

Jan Upston, owner of Wasem Fruit Farm, proudly displays donuts that are made fresh daily. Lily Merritt | Washtenaw Voice

By Catherine Engstrom-Hadley
Staff Writer

The weather still might say summer, but fall is right around the corner for Michiganders. We went to Washtenaw County’s cider mills to search for the best doughnut and rank our findings along the way.

WINNER

Wasem Fruit Farm
Rating: 5/5
6580 Judd Road, Milan
Everyday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wasem offers you-pick apples for those who want to spend the afternoon roaming the orchard. The donuts are fresh, and they have just enough sugar, but not too much. The texture is a little on the heavier side, making for a more filling donut. Between the amazing apples, donuts, and cider, Wasem is worth the drive for an afternoon of fun with friends.

RUNNER UP

Albers Orchard and Cider Mill
Rating: 4.5/5
13011 Bethel Church, Manchester
Tuesday—Sunday 12-6 p.m.

If you go to Albers on the weekends you might have a chance to glimpse at the original Mount Gilead cider press from 1890 in action! Albers doughnuts are large not to be missed, they are very affordable and the largest in the county. They landed in second place, besides the larger size, they have a more cake like dough and a really nice cinnamon sugar coating. Albers is a great way to spend the day. The cider mill has a corn maze, 104 different types of apples growing, hayrides and more.

Wiards Orchard
Rating: 1/5
5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti
Tuesday—Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wiard’s has over thirty attractions on hand for visitors, but when it comes to doughnuts, we say skip it. The flavor and freshness are not up to par compared with competitors, and they cost slightly higher than others. However, the space is a good spot for a large crowd, and the older crowd can go on the spookier attractions.

Jenny’s Farm Stand
Rating: 3/5
8366 Island Lake Road, Dexter
Everyday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We got super lucky and were able to see the doughnuts being made—so they were super fresh. Jenny’s Farm Stand has greatly improved since last season. Although they were slightly greasy, the donuts were perfectly airy and light, with enough of the flavor and sugar to make it a memorable doughnut. It was easy to eat the bag of doughnuts on the ride home. The corn maze, donuts and horses make Jenny’s Farm Stand the perfect stop on a fall drive.

Dexter Cider Mill
Rating: 4/5
3685 Central Street, Dexter
Wednesday—Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dexter’s Cider Mill is the most scenic of all the options on our list. The store is beautiful, and they have the best prices at $7.50 for a dozen doughnuts, but it’s important to know that they are cash or check only. Although they do have an ATM next door to the shop, it’s best to come prepared. The doughnuts are perfect when paired with cider, but the dough is on the sweeter side. Dexter Cider Mill is a great place for a grab-and-go doughnut with a friend.

Ostbaum Orchards
Rating: 3/5
9252 Currie Road, Northville
Saturday—Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This forty-year-old apple orchard is family run and prides itself on being a little less crowded and a lot more personal. The doughnuts were good, but our batch was on the greasy side. However, Ostbaum is the perfect place for a day with kids, they can watch the cider press, take a hayride and pick apples. Grab a jar apple butter on your way home, it’s the best in Washtenaw County.