If you have ever chased the perfect yeast donut, set your alarm for Kokomo. Dan’s Variety Bakery starts rolling dough before most porch lights click off, and locals know the best rings vanish with the sunrise. With 4.6 stars and a line that forms early, this red walled spot keeps things simple and irresistible. Get there close to 1 AM, or risk watching the trays empty fast.
Signature Yeast Glazed Donut
You will smell it first, a sweet warm note rising from trays lined with golden rings. Dan’s yeast glazed donut is feather light, with a tender crumb that pulls apart in airy shreds. The glaze crackles delicately, leaving fingertips shiny and happy.
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Arrive early, because these go quickly once the morning regulars sweep through. The balance of sweetness and chew feels effortless, never heavy, always clean. Pair one with hot coffee and watch the sunrise through the red walled shop.
It is simple, affordable, and exactly what a classic donut should be. One bite, and you understand those 1 AM hours. The magic is in the proofing, patience, and practiced hands.
Maple Iced Long John
The maple iced Long John at Dan’s is a bar shaped cloud, lacquered with maple icing that glows under the case lights. The yeast dough lifts lightly, leaving just enough chew for a satisfying bite. That maple note lands smooth, more buttery than sugary.
Locals swear these disappear first on weekends, so plan ahead. Ask for a warm one if you catch a fresh batch, and the icing will soften into a satiny sheen. Coffee plus maple equals instant comfort.
At a few dollars, it is a small luxury that tastes like the Midwest morning. No gimmicks, just care and timing. You will want a second for the drive home.
Chocolate Iced Yeast Ring
Chocolate iced rings line the case like polished coins, each one finished with a smooth, rich frosting. The yeast base keeps everything light, so the chocolate can shine without feeling heavy. Bite in and you get soft crumb, a gentle cocoa finish, and a quick smile.
These are kid favorites and lunch break legends. Add sprinkles if you catch them early, because customization gets trickier after the rush. The staff is quick, friendly, and knows the regular orders.
Chocolate and yeast balance perfectly here, proof that classics endure. You can taste the pacing of the night shift in every airy rise. Do not wait until noon or you might miss them.
Cinnamon Sugar Yeast Twist
The cinnamon sugar twist gives you texture, fragrance, and a throwback vibe. Each twist is rolled and proofed until light, then fried to a delicate bronze and tumbled in cinnamon sugar. The result is a warm sparkle that clings to your fingers and memory.
It is the donut you tear and share, strand by strand. Perfect with milk or black coffee, it is gentle on sweetness and big on comfort. The cinnamon finish hits cozy without overpowering.
Grab two if you plan to drive, because they tend to disappear by the time you reach the first stoplight. Simple, affordable, and crowd pleasing. This is a Dan’s staple done right.
Bavarian Cream Filled
Inside this soft yeast shell lives a cool, custardy Bavarian cream that feels like pastry shop luxury at small town prices. Powdered sugar dusts the top, turning every bite into a gentle cloud. The cream is silky, slightly vanilla forward, and not cloying.
Ask for a napkin because the filling is generous. Each donut feels balanced, with the yeast dough cushioning the custard perfectly. It is the one that converts skeptics into regulars.
If you see a tray rolling out, step up fast. The morning rush knows this secret and clears them quickly. Dan’s proves that restraint and technique make indulgence feel effortless.
Raspberry Jelly Yeast Donut
This raspberry jelly donut carries a bright, tangy pop inside a pillowy yeast shell. The outside glistens with fine sugar, adding a gentle crunch to the first bite. Raspberry filling is lively, not sticky sweet, and it perfumes the whole experience.
It is the donut that wakes you up better than a second coffee. The contrast of airy dough and vibrant fruit keeps things interesting to the last crumb. Napkins are encouraged and appreciated.
Arrive early for the freshest batch, since fruit filled varieties rotate quickly. Ask staff about fill level if you like it extra generous. Dan’s keeps the fruit flavor honest, and it shows.
Powdered Sugar Yeast Ring
Powdered sugar rings at Dan’s are soft spoken winners. They look simple, but the texture is everything, from the thin outer shell to the cottony interior. Powder falls like snow when you break one open, and it is impossible not to grin.
These pair well with hot chocolate on cold mornings. Since they sell fast, expect to see empty spaces in the case before noon. The price is friendly, the feeling nostalgic.
If you want lightness without icing, this is your pick. Order a few to share with coworkers and watch morale rise. It is the taste of a quiet early morning done right.
Coconut Topped Yeast Donut
Shredded coconut adds chew and tropical lift to this airy yeast base. The icing binds everything together, turning each bite into a soft snap, then sweetness, then gentle coconut. It is surprisingly balanced and not overly sugary.
If you like texture, this is the donut to grab first. The flakes toast slightly at the edges and smell like vacation mornings. Locals know these run out mid morning on busy days.
Pair with a black coffee or cold milk to let the coconut sing. The price stays low, the satisfaction stays high. Dan’s nails the ratio of topping to dough every single time.
Maple Bacon Long John (Limited)
On lucky mornings, Dan’s adds crisp bacon crumbles to the maple Long John, and the line gets lively. Sweet maple, smoky salt, and feather light dough make a bold but balanced bite. It is playful, not gimmicky, and deeply satisfying.
Ask politely if they have it today, since availability varies. The bacon stays crisp thanks to careful timing after icing. People buy extras for coworkers and quickly become legends.
If you see it, do not hesitate. Pair with black coffee and enjoy the contrast. This limited run proves why early birds win at this Kokomo favorite.
Vanilla Iced Yeast Ring with Sprinkles
This is the joy donut, sparkling with rainbow sprinkles over a creamy vanilla icing. The yeast ring keeps it light, so you get sweetness without the weight. It is a crowd pleaser that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a birthday.
Kids spot it instantly and adults pretend not to. The crunch of sprinkles against the tender crumb is oddly perfect. Order a dozen for instant color at any office table.
These disappear during school runs, so time it right. You will taste clean vanilla and a soft buttery finish. Dan’s understands fun, and it is baked into every bite.
Old Fashioned Style Yeast Hybrid
Call it a happy accident or quiet genius. This donut borrows the gentle crags of an old fashioned but keeps the lift of yeast. The result is a lightly crisp edge and a soft, open crumb inside.
Glazed or plain, it is a texture playground. Coffee settles into the ridges and every bite feels composed, never dense. Locals appreciate the balance when they want substance without heaviness.
Ask the counter which glaze just landed for best freshness. These hold up well for a few hours, making them road trip friendly. It is a nuanced favorite for donut nerds and purists alike.
Apple Fritter cousin, Yeast Forward
This fritter cousin leans yeast forward, giving lighter lift to the classic apple studded treat. Chopped apples bring tart pops that cut through the glaze nicely. The exterior has gentle crunch while the interior stays soft and airy.
Shareable size makes it a great pick for the office box. Warm it slightly and the apples bloom with cinnamon whisper, not shout. The price feels generous for the portion.
These often vanish right after sunrise on weekends. If you spy a fresh tray, do not hesitate. It is comfort food engineered for early mornings in Kokomo.
Cinnamon Roll Yeast Donut
Think cinnamon roll meets airy donut and you have this spiraled beauty. The layers pull apart with a gentle tug, releasing warm cinnamon sugar notes and a light glaze. It is sweet but not sticky, a breakfast classic made breezy.
Great for sharing, though you might rethink that plan after one bite. Coffee clings to the edges and makes each mouthful sing. The center is the prize, soft and tender.
Grab one early because they sell quickly on cool mornings. It travels well but tastes best fresh from the case. Dan’s proves restraint and technique make familiar flavors feel new.
Glazed Yeast Holes
Donut holes are the snackable secret that turns a quick stop into a party. Light as balloons, glazed to a gentle shine, they disappear handful by handful. Kids love them, commuters love them, and the price keeps everyone smiling.
These are perfect for sampling fresh glaze without committing to a full ring. You can taste the proofing and the oil temperature discipline in every bite. Nothing heavy, just clean lift and sweetness.
Pick up an extra boat for the car, because sharing gets complicated. They keep decently for a few hours, but warm equals magic. Dan’s knows these are crowd control gold.
Early Bird Pro Tips
Set an alarm and plan for a 1 AM to 12 PM window Tuesday through Sunday. The sweet spot is pre sunrise, when racks roll out and choices peak. Bring cash or card, and order quickly because the line moves with purpose.
Call ahead if you need dozens, or check the website for updates. Parking is easy, and staff is friendly under pressure. Keep your eye on glazed yeast first, then specials like maple bacon.
Address is 1800 S Union St in Kokomo. Prices sit comfortably at budget friendly levels. A little planning means you will not miss the donuts locals swear sell out fast.
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