Glazed donuts at the Cookie Factory

cookie factory troy glazed donut

Doooonnnnnuttttt....

By Daniel B

Sometimes it's the simple things that are the most difficult to do well. Take the glazed donut, for example.

A bakery cannot hide an inferior glazed donut under mounds of cinnamon sugar. A dry one cannot be kept tender and moist by being stuffed with filling. Off flavors cannot be masked with chocolate or maple icing. The glazed donut stands almost naked, enrobed in just a gossamer veil of sugar.

As unlikely as it may seem, you can experience an admirable version of this classic at a place called The Cookie Factory in Troy.

It's harder to find a great glazed donut than you might think. There are some shops that make luscious filled donuts and orchards that make memorable apple cider donuts, but for a long time finding a simple glazed that was worthy of its fat and calories was elusive.

So what makes the common glazed donut something special?

Well, for starters these are yeast donuts, which means they should be light and airy. Donuts are also fried, which gives them a beautiful burnished exterior. At its best, this combination of fat and yeast produces a rich, meltingly tender crumb. Unlike croissants, a good glazed donut should not snap back into shape, but rather obediently yield to your bite.

That is, of course, once you get past the glaze. The glaze should not yield. The glaze should stand firm. It should crackle and break under pressure. But at the same time it needs to be thin enough that the balance of rich to sweet isn't tipped to the cloying side.

Glazed donuts at The Cookie Factory meet all of these criteria and more.

cookie factory troy glazed donut closeup

The first thing you'll notice about these donuts is the size. They are large, and for donuts that is not always a good thing. But The Cookie Factory's donuts aren't large because they are trying to give you the biggest bang for the buck, they are large because the yeast is allowed time to do its job. This produces a donut that is so light and airy, when you hold it in your hand, it feels impossibly weightless.

If you are a purist, you should be forewarned that The Cookie Factory's glaze has a hint of citrus -- lemon, to be precise. It's not overpowering, but it is there. Frankly, I think these would be even better if left unadorned. But even still, these are among the best glazed donuts I've had in my life.

At $3.50 per half dozen these are significantly less expensive than the substantially inferior glazed donuts from the major national chain that litters our landscape. If the hint of lemon isn't a deal beaker, they are easily worth a thirty minute drive (in each direction). Just be advised, The Cookie Factory is set up primarily for take out.

Their chocolate frosted are pretty special, too -- but it's their glazed that are remarkable.

Daniel B is the proprietor of the FUSSYlittleBlog.

Earlier on AOA: A short tour of Capital Region doughnuts

Find It

The Cookie Factory
520 Congress Street
Troy, NY 12180

(518) 268-1060

Hours: Tues - Sat 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, Sun 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, closed Mon

Comments

:drool:

Looks delicious. Can't wait to try it. I really miss Crispy Creme. Their glazed donuts were hot, airy, and melted in your mouth.

Yum! This place is right down the street from my office, and we'll occasionally get a box of donuts or cookies for general consumption. Good times!

Those are some cheap donuts! We were wondering about The Cookie Factory when we drove past it on Sunday en route to Williamstown. Yum.

I love these doughnuts, and have to pretend not to see the Cookie Factory as I go by 10 times a day or my dr would have me drawn and quartered. If you go, give their cinnamon roll a try, too. Simply fantastic.

The Cookie Factory, here I come!

I am a Krispy Kreme addict and this is the ONLY place that even comes close. There donuts are the best in the area (and I consider my self a connoisseur)

Doughnut. Doughnut doughnut doughnut doughnut. Made from dough. A "donut," what would that be made from -- "do"? I don't want to know.

Watervliet's Schyuler Bakery glazed are delish and only $5 a dozen!!!!

Can we still call the odd-sized spare tire a donut? Because it's decidedly not made of dough?

Doughnuts will give you a donut 'round your belly. Maybe that's where the spelling comes from.

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine