The donut has become a distinctly American food passion. The word “doughnut,” and its shortened variation, “donut,” have been around since the 1800s.
In World War I, female Salvation Army workers known as Doughnut Girls would fry and distribute donuts to the American soldiers fighting in France. These sweet treats offered a taste of home to the American soldiers, who coincidently became known as “doughboys.” During World War II, these Doughnut Girls became known as Doughnut Dollies. In the last two decades, every American recognizes the iconic image of the famed animated television character Homer Simpson and his love for donuts!
Dam Donuts, located at 216 West High Street in Bellefonte, is a family-owned business offering a wide variety of plain and seasonal-inspired donuts with an endless combination of frostings and toppings. Owners Traci and Mike Beck have wanted to open a bakery in the area for the last 15 years.
“I have always loved to bake, ever since I was kid with my Easy-Bake Oven, so my husband and I have been visiting bakeries to get ideas,” explains Traci. “Then, we walked into a donut shop one day and thought, that’s it! I can be creative with the different flavors, offer coffee, and have a cozy environment for people to hang out, study, and relax.”
With both Traci and Mike being natives of Howard, Traci’s mother joked that they should name the shop Dam Donuts after the Howard Dam, and the name stuck.
“The more we said it, the more we loved it!” says Traci. On National Donut Day (June 3) 2016, Dam Donuts had its grand opening, and locals immediately began raving over the distinctively light and airy cakelike donut.
“On the weekends, we have a line out the door, and even though we say that we open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, we have had to open our doors early!” says Mike.
Traci starts her day at Dam Donuts at 4 a.m., mixing dough and getting the fryer hot. Armed with a pair of wooden chopsticks, the donut batter hits the hot oil, and within 30 seconds she flips them over to the other side, creating the perfectly golden-brown crust.
“We make donuts throughout the day, so they are always fresh for our customers,” says Traci. “Once they have cooled, we have a display table of some of the most popular combinations, like our maple bacon, pumpkin cream cheese, and autumn apple.”
Of course, there is always the plain, the cinnamon sugar, the glazed, and the powdered sugar.
Mike says, “We encourage people to make their own combinations, so customers can start by choosing a plain donut, a cinnamon sugar donut, or our seasonal donut, like our pumpkin (for 99 cents), then for 10 cents more, they can add a frosting such as peanut butter, salted caramel, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, blueberry, orange, just to name a few. Then, you can stop there, or for 10 more cents, add a topping such as rainbow sprinkles, Swedish fish, M&Ms, white, dark, or milk chocolate drizzle — you name it, we probably have it!”
For a uniquely spicy donut experience, Dam Donut took Bonfatto’s Razz Hab, Peaches & Scream, and Apple Pepper Jack hot sauces to make three donuts that will surely intrigue the taste buds.
This holiday season, Dam Donuts will be experimenting with a peppermint donut. Custom orders are available for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.
For more information, visit damdonuts.com.
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