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16 shops, nearly 2,000 votes: See which Lexington doughnut shop readers selected as best

Spalding’s Bakery hand-cut doughnuts have been a Lexington favorite for more than 80 years. The recipe for its dough or honey glaze is a family secret.

With nearly 2,000 votes over four rounds of competition, Herald-Leader readers and eaters selected Spalding’s Bakery as their top shop to grab doughnuts in and around town.

The bakery, located at 760 Winchester Road in Lexington, beat out our other top contender, Parlor Doughnuts, by a landslide. Spalding’s drew 197 votes in our final round, while Parlor got 20, or 9%.

A family-owned business in operation since 1929, according to its website, Spalding’s serves a variety of classic cake, yeast and filled doughnuts. In addition, you can snag apple fritters, cinnamon twists, cupcakes and more. They also offer cakes and other made-to-order, customized sweet treats.

Our bracket competition was just for fun, aiming to highlight fan-favorite local businesses around the city.

If you missed it, we also had a competition on best small bookstores. Let us know what you’d like us to feature next with a email to ask@herald-leader.com.

A doughnut bracket in review

In case you missed any of our doughnut bracket, here’s how it shaped up.

First round: Spalding’s Bakery, Magee’s Baking Co., North Lime Coffee & Donuts, Frank’s Donuts, Parlor Doughnuts, Donut Days Bakery, Doughdaddy’s Doughnuts, OMG Donuts, Burke’s Bakery and Delicatessen, Krispy Kreme, Daylight Donuts, Dunkin’, Southern Glazed Doughnuts, Best Doughnuts, Sweet Creations Bakery, Daily Donuts

Second round: Spalding’s Bakery, Parlor Doughnuts, Magee’s Baking Co., North Lime Coffee & Donuts, Frank’s Donuts, Doughdaddy’s Doughnuts, OMG Donuts, Donut Days

Third round: Spalding’s Bakery, Parlor Doughnuts, Magee’s Baking Co., Donut Days Bakery

Fourth round: Spalding’s Bakery, Parlor Doughnuts

Winner: Spalding’s Bakery

Best doughnuts in Lexington, KY

If you’re hungry for a doughnut after reading this, you’re in luck – here’s a brief description of all the shops we featured and where to find them.

Frank’s Donuts: Located on Third St., Frank’s Donuts has menu offerings that include classics like old fashioned cake to filled specialties, such as bear claws. Prices are low as well, with regular doughnuts coming in under a buck. Location: 549 E. Third St., Lexington, KY 40508

Spalding’s Bakery: In business since 1929, when the founders started slinging doughnuts from their home, Spalding’s now sells hand-formed doughnuts from Winchester Road. In addition to classic doughnuts, it also offer other sweet treats. Location: 760 Winchester Road, Lexington, KY 40505

North Lime Coffee & Donuts: Located at the renovated Greyline Station, North Lime advertises “handcrafted coffee and life changing donuts.” The donut flavors are a bit less-traditional, and they also offer vegan options. The company has other locations in Clays Mill and Old Louisville. Location: 101 West Loudon Ave., Suite 160, Lexington, KY 40508

Parlor Doughnuts: Though the company recently opened a location in Jacksonville, Fla., Lexington doughnut lovers can find a local Parlor on Euclid Avenue. The outfit offers interesting flavors and even dog-friendly doughnuts, according to the company’s Facebook page. Location: 630 Euclid Ave., Lexington, KY 40502

Donut Days Bakery: Another longer-running doughnut staple in town, Donut Days has been serving since 1972, according its Facebook page. They advertise fresh doughnuts and a variety of other sweet treats. Location: 185 Southland Drive, Lexington, KY 40503

OMG Donuts: A new donut shop in town that has been a hit so far with customers for its $1.19 classic doughnuts alongside croissants, bagels, coffee and more. The business shares menu items and updates on its Facebook page. Location: 3449 Buckhorn Drive, Lexington, KY 40515

Magee’s Baking Co.: Magee’s offers not only doughnuts, but numerous other menu offerings spanning breakfast and lunch. Yeast, cake and long John doughnuts are offered in varying flavors. Location: 726 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40502

Doughdaddy’s Doughnuts: Doughdaddy’s offers a selection of the sweet, fried treats from their Versailles location. It advertises fresh doughnuts throughout the day (even giving away a free one with a gas fill-up), with hours running 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Location: 3325 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383

Southern Glazed Doughnuts: Located in Georgetown, Southern Glazed sells a variety of doughnuts beginning at 5 a.m. The business formerly went by Mike’s Donuts. Location: 403 S. Broadway St., Georgetown KY 40324

Sweet Creations Bakery: An online menu for Sweet Creations advertises a number of doughnuts, including filled, among numerous other pastry items. If you’re in the mood for something savory, the business offers options accordingly. Location: 2312 Palumbo Drive, 110, Lexington, KY 40509.

Daylight Donuts: Located in Nicholasville, Daylight has a wide selection for those with a sweet tooth, including brightly colored special and holiday-themed treats. Location: 1020 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Daily Donuts: Also in Nicholasville, Daily Donuts offers a variety of doughnuts in addition to many breakfast sandwiches, smoothies and drinks. Location: 908 S. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Burke’s Bakery and Delicatessen: If you’re out in Danville, you may be a patron of Burke’s. The shop offers doughnuts, doughnut holes, cakes and more. Location: 121 W. Main St., Danville, KY 40422

Best Donuts: For those in Richmond in dire need of a doughnut, Best Donuts offers quite a variety. The business updates on special and closings through its Facebook page. Location: 711 Big Hill Ave., Richmond, KY 40475

Krispy Kreme: With around 1,400 stores, Krispy Kreme operates locally off Richmond Road. The chain is known for its classic glazed doughnut and “hot doughnuts now” sign. Location: 2893 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40509.

Dunkin’: Chain Dunkin’ has at least three locations around Lexington. The business still offers its doughnuts, though it dropped them from its name, alongside many breakfast items and drink. Locations: 316 E. New Circle Road, Lexington, KY 40505; 1306 S. Broadway St., Lexington, KY 40504; 2213 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY 40504.

Rick’s White Light Cajun Diner: A reader alerted us to Rick’s after our bracket went live. The Bridge Street Frankfort location offers a wide menu, including beignets. Location: 114 Bridge St., Frankfort, KY 40601.