Union Square Donuts Is Open Right Now

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[Photos: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]

Just in time for that holiday where people feel obligated to buy sweet things, Union Square Donuts provides last-minute box-of-chocolate gift-givers with a much more creative option: fresh artisanal donuts in flavors like maple bacon and chocolate chipotle. Opening today in Somerville, the little shop is a collaboration between Josh Danoff of Culinary Cruisers and Ocean Ave Pops (kombucha on tap and fun-flavored popsicles) and Heather Schmidt of City Chicks (cooking classes and parties), two residents of Kitchen Inc., a shared cooking space. In fact, the donut shop is right in the front section of Kitchen Inc., across from Target on the outer edge of Union Square.

The starting donut lineup is comprised of the aforementioned chocolate chipotle and maple bacon, along with hibiscus rose, orange ginger cream, and honey almond. They're $3 each (except for the bacon, which is $3.50), and they'll even one-up the baker's dozen and give you 14 for the price of 12. Also on the menu: dulce de leche cinnamon buns, Spindrift sparkling sodas, coffee, and Ocean Ave Pops. Danoff's kombucha might eventually make an appearance as well, but he'll need to get an additional kegerator first.

Danoff and Schmidt began building a donut following by offering them up at farmers' markets over the last couple of months, and sure enough, the line was nearly out the door right at 10 AM this morning. Recalling a long line at a past market, Danoff joked that he felt like the popular kid in school.

The donuts are yeast-based rather than cake-based, so the texture is airy and fluffy, an appropriate product for Danoff, a former stone mason who quipped that he retired to find a "lighter product." Schmidt told Somerville Beat that yeast donuts have more possibilities than cake, and she's considering ideas like Meyer lemon and orange cardamom.

The hours may change a bit as Danoff and Schmidt monitor the demand, but to start, they'll be open until 8 PM tonight and 10 AM to 6 PM this Friday through Sunday.

· Kitchen Inc. collaboration results in delicious donuts [Somerville Beat]
· All coverage of Union Square Donuts on Eater [~EBOS~]