JELLY MODERN DOUGHNUTS (YYC)

“Will cupcakes be replaced by doughnuts?” The question hanging in the Calgary air when Jelly Modern Doughnuts opened late April 2011. The concept: doughnuts redone with elevated twists on classic flavours using locally sourced, organic ingredients. Executive Chef Grayson Sherman (formerly with Saint Germain), is so committed to quality, the team makes each element of their doughnuts on-site (including the marshmallows). They don’t even have a freezer!

The Jelly Modern space is funky and modern… full of the warm smell of maple, baked goods, and sugar. Once I tasted their donuts, I knew they could become a dangerous addiction, particularly because the shop was less than 10 minutes away from my condo.

For my waistline, the light in this sugary-organic-fried situation was that I would only have a few weeks with Jelly Modern until I moved to Edmonton. The bad news? I was addicted from the get-go, and after my move I would face constant doughnut withdrawal.

Jelly Modern's Maple Bacon Doughnut

I went to Banff a couple weeks ago, and on the way home I stopped in Calgary. With the excuse of, “I need to pick up some goodies for the office”, I stopped at Jelly Modern. The regular Jelly Modern Doughnut is actually quite large, practically twice the size of a Tim Horton’s donut, the 3-bite size is perfect for me (smaller size = ability to try more flavours). I bought an assorted 16 pack of 3-bites – s’mores, peanut butter cup, lemon curd, maple-bacon, etc.

Oh, the maple-bacon.. my personal favourite. I’ve had maple-bacon donuts from other places but Jelly Modern’s is always so much better. The maple dip has the flavour of real maple syrup, the glaze and icing isn’t too sweet which makes it a good match for the bacon that comes from Canmore’s Valbella Gourmet Foods.

Even after waiting a day, the assorted doughnuts were still soft and a hit at the office. Co-workers vowed to make a trip to Calgary to visit the place that pumps out these gourmet doughnuts. For my co-workers, the maple-bacon and the s’mores were the favs. The peanut cup lagged behind, a bit bland compared to the other flavours.

*Sigh* Now I’m back to maple-bacon withdrawal for another few weeks until I can get to Calgary. And to address that question, “Will cupcakes be replaced by doughnuts?” Personally, I think there’s room for both types of pastries, so long as they’re made with the love and integrity like that of Jelly Modern Doughnuts.

Enjoy the Doughnut Pr0n courtesy of Dong Kim

Assorted 3-bites

S'more Doughnut (with house-made marshmallows)

Peanut Cup Doughnut

Ate this too quickly to catch the flavour

Maple Bacon Doughnut