Beautiful Fusion: Columbia City Bakery's Doughnut Muffin
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Recently, we took a journey to the Columbia City Bakery. Though we'd tried their pastries at some of the various coffee shops which they supply in the Seattle area, we wanted to see the source.
Now, anyone who has ever taken the bus from Queen Anne to Columbia City will understand that not just any pastry would be worth the trip. But what made it all worthwhile was our newest obsession: the Doughnut Muffin.
What is a doughnut muffin exactly? In terms of appearance, it looks more like a muffin than a doughnut, but without a cup. But instead of the slightly craggy muffin-top, this one was smooth and more cake-like, and coated with a cinnamon-sugar coating that did kind of resemble that of an old-fashioned doughnut. Its surface had a slight sheen, which made us wonder if it was fried (it's not; it's coated with a layer of butter which gives it that dewy, just-kissed-by-a-fryer look). The texture is not unlike a cake doughnut, but with a denseness that speaks more to the muffin side of things.
But most importantly, what does a doughnut muffin taste like? Well. Upon first bite, Mr. Cakespy's first words were "it tastes like a muffin...and a doughnut...all at once!". To us, this is a beautiful fusion: for one beautiful moment, as the buttery coating, crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping and cakey inside melt together in your mouth, everything else disappears.
Doughnut Muffins can be found at the Columbia City Bakery (call ahead for availability), 4865 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle; (206) 723-6023.
Happily, non-Seattleites need not despair! We located a wonderful variation on the doughnut muffin recipe (inspired in part by the above ones!) on one of our favorite Seattle foodie blogs, Orangette. Click here to see the post and recipe!
doughnut muffin, recipes, seattle
Reader Comments (18)
Columbia City Bakery is solidly my favorite bread and pastry outlet these days. They make a really good americano, too. It's nice to see they're getting some love from up Queen Anne way. My husband makes the reverse commute for work every day so I appreciate all too well the bus trip you were facing. I would have been very surprised to run into you and Mr. Cakespy in our neck of the woods.
That looks sinfully delicious and what a combination!
Irony. i was just at Big Sugar Bakeshop's site (bigsugarbakeshop.com) yesterday, and obsessing about their doughnut muffin, which sounded, and looked, excellent. Now, there is a second location :) and a recipe! Thank you!
I want one right now!
Doughnut Muffins?!? It's hard enough to get off the couch!! These look delicious!
Oh. Wow.
Must make some immediately.
Ann
Its been great surfing your posts. was just wondering...do you bake as well? Just curious.
Cheers
ummmm yes please!
a doughnut muffin?? how fun!! great combination :0D
that doughnut muffin has got to be the craftiest thing i have seen in a while!
this looks SO yummy! I want to live in Seattle...I know, I know, I can make it myself, but I doubt I will! I always print the recipe hoping I will, but...=)
Nikchick: Mr. Cakespy and I were reading on your site and noticed that you're a fan of his band, Speaker Speaker! Cool! We'll all have to get doughnut muffins soon.
a.: It is sinful! But good. Happy holidays (in nj?).
Jane: What can I say, great minds think alike.
.philip and lewis: Come to Seattle and we'll treat you to doughnut muffins!
Ann: Perhaps a doughnut pie?
Passionate baker: Thank you for finding cakespy! I do bake (and so do some of the other spies) but we really consider ourselves amateur bakers / expert tasters. :-)
eb: You said it.
Veggiegirl: Yes! Double happiness!
this looks DELICIOUS! I'm going to try making the recipe posted on Orangette.
People St. Clair: I hope you will send pics when you make them!!
I made these this week end, check it out: http://nataliecakes.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/donut-muffins/
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Jessie!
I just called Columbia City Bakery to see when they'll have the donut muffin (I'm hoping for a leisurely brunch this weekend), but the woman who answered the phone had never heard of it.
Using your powers of supersweetness, you much remedy this immediately.