Parlor Doughnuts offers 20+ flavors within dietary restrictions for National Doughnut Day

A steady line filed into Springfield's newest doughnut shop on Thursday morning, looking to try unique, layered-style pastries. Located in front of Andy B's on East Battlefield Road, Parlor Doughnuts' latest local franchise opened in Springfield last week.

Angie and Clint Woods of Branson opened the Springfield Parlor Doughnuts location May 26 after a successful first year operating a location at Branson Landing. The franchise is popularly known for its layered doughnuts, which resemble the light texture of a croissant and are baked in small batches throughout the day.

National Doughnut Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of June each year. The first National Doughnut Day was held by The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to honor the individuals who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.

Clint, who is a cross country coach at College of the Ozarks, said he and Angie had been interested in opening some sort of sweet-treat restaurant, so when they learned about Parlor Doughnuts opening applications for locally-owned franchises, it felt like a good opportunity. Two weeks after celebrating their one year anniversary in Branson, the Woods' opened the doors in Springfield.

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"Our mission is to bring people together around the best spots of doughnuts in the Ozarks," Clint said of the locations in both Springfield and Branson. "We want to do that with really great staff and great hospitality as people come in our doors. Our desire is to create a fun gathering space where relationships are made and connections are built."

Clint said the first week at the Springfield location has been a little slow going, but he is looking forward to people learning about what Parlor Doughnuts has to offer.

Every day, Parlor Doughnuts offers over 20 different flavors, ranging from maple bacon and cookies and cream to honey glazed and bourbon caramel. Summer seasonal flavors include Fruit Tart, Huckleberry Honey and Cherry Cheesecake.

All of the doughnuts can be made vegan and gluten-free, Clint said. These doughnuts are baked separately than the others and made to order. Five keto-friendly flavors are also available, including chocolate, vanilla, maple, cherry chocolate, cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar. Clint said the keto doughnuts are made with Swerve, a sweetener alternative, and have sold out each day.

For customers interested in something other than doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast tacos, acai bowls, overnight oats and avocado toast are on the menu.

Parlor Doughnuts provides a full coffee bar, with house-roasted brews, house-made cold brew, specialty lattes and teas. Clint said each Monday the Springfield parlor receives a batch of freshly-roasted coffee beans from the flagship parlor in Evansville, Indiana. As for summer seasonal drinks, a Strawberry Milk Matcha, Espresso Shake and Strawberry Latte are available.

Shifts start early at Parlor Doughnuts, Clint said, at 3 a.m., with bakers preparing a day's worth of dough and filling and decorating batches before opening at 6:30 a.m.

"One of the things that makes us different is that we make (doughnuts) fresh all day," Clint said. "We make small batches all day, just so that they're fresh and people can come in and even if there's a few minutes left in the day, we can still make them doughnuts if they want them."

New to the Springfield location is the addition of a drive-thru window. Clint said within the next week, customers will also be able to utilize the Parlor Doughnuts mobile app to order ahead.

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The Springfield Parlor Doughnuts is located at 1109 E. Battlefield Road Suite A, in the same building as Artesian Spas in the Andy B's parking lot. The doughnut parlor is open Monday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parlor Doughnuts was established in 2019 by Darrick Hayden and Josh Tudela, with the first location — now the flagship parlor — in Evansville, Indiana, according to Parlor Doughnuts' website. While each location is unique, each is inspired by a Victorian-style parlor room where individuals used to gather in a home.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Parlor Doughnuts offers small batch, layered doughnuts in 20+ flavors