We’re guessing #2016bestnine photo collages were plastered all over your Instagram yesterday. While Instagram’s best 9 is based on likes, ours is based on TASTE. In no particular order, check out our favorite bites from this past year:

2016 Best 9 Donuts - Taste

From top-left:

  1. Pumpkin old fashioned from Top Pot Doughnuts
  2. Sriracha maple bacon from Dough Boy Donuts
  3. Croissant donut from Jarams
  4. Zoo-Ropa donut from Hypnotic Donuts
  5. Glazed yeast donut from Glazed Donut Works
  6. Blueberry cream cheese donut from The Donut Kitchen
  7. Cinnabun donut from Dough Boy Donuts
  8. Crème brûlée donut from Jarams
  9. Red velvet cake donut from Earnest Donuts

It was really hard to choose just 9 donuts, so we have to call out these honorable mentions too:

Honorable Mentions: 2016 Best Donuts

  1. “Donut” ice cream sandwich from MilkŸŸ-Cream: warm bun (glazed/unglazed) filled with your choice of ice cream and toppings
  2. Funfetti cake donut from Boston’s Blackbird Doughnuts
  3. Strawberry shortcake donut from FunkyTown Donuts
  4. Croi-dough-nut crème brûlée donut from Main Street Bistro Bakery
  5. Triple 6 donut from Hypnotic Donuts: the passion fruit/habanero icing makes for a sweet and spicy combo that’s surprisingly addictive

If we were following the rules, here’s how our collage would’ve turned out. Just goes to the show, the tastiest donuts aren’t always the prettiest to look at – it’s what’s on the inside that counts

2016 Best Nine - Instagram Likes

Of this batch, we’ve gotta give credit to the churro donut from Federal Donuts (Philly), the “bonut” with lemon mascarpone from Biscuit Love (Nashville) and the pumpkin cake donut from Shipley Do-Nuts (DFW).

Here’s to a happy and delicious 2017! What would you like to see more of from Donut Digest this year? Let us know by commenting below or shooting us a message here.