In a city filled with coffee shops, residents of Columbia will have a treat to complement their morning cup of joe starting this fall.
Michael Urban plans to open a craft doughnut shop, Harold’s Doughnuts, the weekend of Oct. 11.
Urban, founder and owner of Harold’s Doughnuts, named the business after his grandfather, who loved craft doughnuts.
“A ‘craft’ doughnut is one that is made using the freshest, made-from-scratch ingredients,” Urban said. “Everything we do — right down to the sprinkles we use on our doughnuts — is made from scratch.”
No matter the flavor, everything is crafted by hand in the shop. This includes the marshmallows that will go in the fall s’mores doughnut.
“We’re much different than chain doughnut shops that use pre-mixed dough and mechanized processes to create their doughnuts,” Urban said. “Our shop will be fresh, fun and energetic and allow customers of all ages a chance to experience the classic American pastry in an entirely new way.”
Some daily scratch doughnut options include sprinkles, traditional glazed, jelly-filled and maple bacon. Additionally, each season brings new flavors.
“Mid-Missouri is a place where one can enjoy four seasons,” Urban said. “Our tastes change along with the calendar.”
The current summer seasonal flavors include key lime pie, chai and chocolate chipotle. Yes, chipotle: a yeast-raised doughnut topped with a chocolate chipotle glaze, which includes high-end cocoa, cinnamon and ground chipotle pepper. Urban said it is “the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.”
In the fall, customers can choose from flavors like apple cider and s’mores. By offering different flavors along with the change of seasons, Urban said customers will get to enjoy new and unique creations of doughnuts throughout the year.
“Just like our daily menu, these doughnuts (are) made with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients possible and crafted by hand by our bakery staff,” Urban said.
He said he thinks the store will fit nicely with the other local establishments in town. He said he hopes to create even more unique products by collaborating with other businesses and restaurants around Columbia.
When it comes down to it, Urban said Harold’s Doughnuts’ passion is simply to make people happy.
“There’s no greater joy than seeing people smile after they’ve eaten our doughnuts,” Urban said.
Can’t wait for Harold’s Doughnuts to open shop? Orders for delivery can be placed on their website at haroldsdoughnuts.com.
