The donut has come a long way since its humble beginnings. What was once a less-than-fab pairing with a cup of less-than-fab cup of coffee at your local diner has now become the trendiest sweet treat out there. While the forever classic Old Fashioned-style donut will always be a cult favorite, the creations of different types of donuts has really taken this little fried piece of joy to a whole new level.

From being dipped in a maple balsamic glaze to having bits of bacon thrown on top and so much more, the donut has evolved into a work of art. Much like traveling to visit a favorite museum, we recommend traveling to try these top donut shops around Greater Peoria. Here are the places for donuts worth a road trip, regardless of how far you have to go:

Big Mike’s Donuts & Coffee   {{Bartonville}}

Carl’s Bakery   {{East Peoria}}

Frosted Bakery & Coffee Shop  {{Princeville}}

LeBakery  {{Peoria}}

Radish Kitchen    {{Peoria}}    //   Vegan 

Riley’s Vegan Sweets + Eats   {{Peoria}}    //   Vegan, also found at HyVee

Ron’s Donuts & Bakery   {{Washington}}

Supreme House of Cheese {{Toluca}}

Tadoughs  {{Pekin}}    //   Formally Spudnuts Donuts

Tanner’s Orchard  {{Speer}}    //    Seasonal

Trefzger’s Bakery  {{Peoria Heights}}

Yoder’s Homemade Donuts  {{Food Truck}}

Honorable Mentions:

Ardor Breads + Provisions   {{Peoria}}    //   Croissants + Pastries

Caleri's Café & Bakery  {{Roanoke + Eureka}}    //   Coffee Cake, Scones, + Muffins 

Eli’s Coffee    {{Metamora + Morton + Tremont}}    //   Scones, Breads, + Muffins 

Four30 Scones    {{Morton}}    //   Scones

Great Harvest Bread Co. {{Morton + Peoria}}   //   Tea Cakes, Scones, Cinnamon Rolls, Biscuits, Breads, + Muffins

Princess Creations  {{Canton}}   //   Cinnamon Rolls

The Confectionery    {{Morton}}    //   Coffee Cake + Muffins