Mmmmm ... doughnut time

By ANGELINA, the hype hunter

Our city's love affair with doughnuts has a new guilty party – Brisbane's infamous Doughnut Time chain. The doughnut empire has finally arrived in Melbourne, after sending Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney’s sugar levels (and Instagram feeds) into a frenzy.

Tucked in picturesque Degraves St, Doughnut Time’s easily identifiable hole-in-the-wall store stands out, displaying doughnuts boasting bad pun names – Mint to Be, Splice Girls, Melon Degeneres.

You would think that Melburnians have had enough of these sugary rings, but it is quite the contrary. There is a permanent queue snaking to Degraves St. And who could blame us? These are not your average doughnuts.

For a start, the Ferrero No Share – a plump puff of airy dough, coated with dark chocolate glaze, topped with roasted hazelnuts and of course a Ferrero Rocher – is a taste winner.

As your teeth break through the glaze and sink into its fluffy core, it is hard to suppress that “mmm” of delight from escaping your lips. Decadent but not overly sweet, this is a treat that is responsible for at least half of the queue.

The other half of the queue desires Love at First Bite, the Instagram favourite. It is not hard to see why. Dusted in cinnamon sugar and generously filled, it is one never-ending river of oozing, gooey Nutella dribbling down your chin. Have serviettes at hand, you will need them.

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Although it is a delight to your sweet tooth, there is certainly no rocket science involved. So if you’re not one for queues, Google “Nutella filled doughnut recipe” and make them at home – doughnut worry, it’s not difficult.

Doughnut Time also offers vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options. There is the visually appealing Vegan Fox – a dark chocolate glazed doughnut beautifully garnished with crunchy pistachios and tangy freeze-dried strawberries.

However, there are problems with the hole (pun intended) Doughnut Time experience. The offerings are not cheap.

If armed with a student budget, most will foam at their mouths when realising that each doughnut costs $6 (with a recommended eating time within four hours of purchase, and no freezing). You may be tempted back for a Ferrero No Share, however it may have to be a payday indulgence.

Depending on what you order, Doughnut Time can be a hit or miss. If you are broke or down to your last few dollars forget it – buy your doughnuts from Coles instead.

So is it worth the hype? Simply put, yes. But that excludes anyone with a peanut allergy or a slim wallet.

Food:      ★★★★★
Service:   ★★★★★
Price:    ★★