10 Maple Donuts In Upstate New York You'll Want To Travel For

There’s something magical about the combination of maple and donuts that makes taste buds dance with joy.

Upstate New York, with its abundance of maple trees and passionate bakers, has become a hotspot for this sweet treat.

Pack your bags and bring your appetite as we explore the most mouthwatering maple donuts worth hitting the road for across the region.

1. Cider Belly’s Maple Monster

Tucked away in New Paltz, Cider Belly’s maple creation isn’t just a donut – it’s a revelation. The secret? Real maple syrup tapped from local trees, reduced to a thick glaze that crackles slightly when you bite in.

Locals line up before dawn on weekends, and the maple monsters typically sell out by 9 AM.

The family-run shop’s vintage vibe adds to the charm, with black and white photos of grandpa’s original donut machine adorning the walls.

2. Washboard Donut Shoppe’s Adirondack Maple Dream

Nestled in the heart of Tupper Lake, this Adirondack gem serves up maple donuts that taste like they were kissed by forest spirits.

What makes these treats special is the maple sugar crumble on top – crunchy, sweet bits that contrast perfectly with the pillowy dough.

The shop’s rustic cabin setting, complete with washboard decorations from the 1800s, makes the experience even sweeter.

3. Glazed Over Donuts’ Maple Bacon Masterpiece

Hudson Valley’s favorite donut shop cranks up the maple experience with their sweet-savory combo that’ll make you weak in the knees.

Crispy bacon bits nestle into a warm maple glaze, creating flavor fireworks with every bite. The shop’s build-your-own concept lets you customize your maple base with wild toppings.

Their maple syrup comes from a fourth-generation producer just up the road, and the bacon is smoked in-house. No wonder folks drive from three counties away!

4. Paula’s Donuts’ Maple Cream Sensation

Buffalo’s donut royalty serves up a maple-filled fantasy that weighs nearly half a pound!

The magic happens when cool maple cream meets warm, freshly fried dough – a temperature contrast that’ll make your eyes roll back in pleasure.

Family-owned since 1996, Paula’s massive donuts require two hands and zero shame.

5. Glazed & Confused’s Maple Whiskey Wonder

Syracuse’s hippest donut spot infuses local maple syrup with Finger Lakes whiskey for an adults-only morning treat.

Each batch is made small – just 24 donuts at a time – ensuring peak freshness and plenty of Instagram-worthy stretchy cheese pulls when you break them apart.

6. Burrville Cider Mill’s Maple Cider Donut

Fall in Jefferson County isn’t complete without a pilgrimage to this 1801 mill for their maple-apple mashup.

The historic water-powered mill creates donuts that combine fresh-pressed cider with dark amber maple syrup from trees growing right on the property.

Watching the waterfall outside while munching these warm treats is practically a North Country tradition.

7. Ridge Donut Cafe’s Maple Cream Cheese Crown

Rochester’s donut institution has perfected the maple-cream cheese combo in a creation that resembles edible crown jewels.

The yeast-raised dough is formed into a ring, then sliced and twisted to create peaks that hold pools of maple glaze and cream cheese filling.

Founded in 1968, Ridge still uses the original family recipes. Early birds get the best selection – doors open at 5:30 AM, and the maple crowns typically vanish by 8.

8. Fred’s Coffee & Donuts’ Mountain Maple Fritter

Tannersville’s beloved morning spot serves up maple fritters the size of your face – no exaggeration needed!

These beauties feature chunks of real maple candy folded into the dough before frying.

Fred, a former Olympic skier, opened shop after retiring from the slopes. His fritters are legendary among Catskills hikers looking for calorie-dense fuel.