Oooooh shit, these are my jam (for all you older folk, that means these are something that I like a lot)! I don’t even know what company makes the frozen glazed donuts that have been around for years (and I can’t seem to find them anywhere), but I have always loved them. I first tired them as a kid, many years ago, before forgetting all about them as an adult (mainly due to their apparently spotty availability). Then one day they popped up in Aldi’s ad, leading me on a delicious trip down memory lane. The nostalgia didn’t last long, however, because I promptly forgot all about them again soon after downing the whole package…and have never even stumbled on them since. I don’t know what it is about them, but I’d put the taste on a close plan with Krispy Kreme’s donuts; that’s right, I said it, and I mean every word: frozen donuts have a taste that’s similar to some of the most famous glazed donuts in the entire U.S., if not the world.

So, then, imagine my surprise when, of all places, I stumbled upon a package of frozen glazed donuts at Dollar Tree! Needless to say, they went in my basket without a moment’s hesitation.

The donuts are rather small…if I recall correctly, they’re quite a bit smaller than the “regular brand” (of which I’m not even sure what company is known for making them), but it’s been so long since I’ve had them that it’s possible my mind is just playing tricks on me. Either way, they’re still a decent size for the price, especially considering six are included in each package.

The execution is—not bad, but not really what I was expecting. The glaze is appropriately very sweet, and the donut’s odd out-of-the-microwave texture are actually pretty spot-on with those donuts I fell in love with all those years ago, but something is missing in the flavor department—and it seems to have something to do with the donut itself. The bread part is just very—underwhelming. Maybe it’s the same with the name brand donuts, but the glaze is strong enough to cover it up; either way, the thin glaze (which admittedly is pretty good on its own and has what tastes like a powdered sugar base) is nowhere near thick or abundant enough to do that here, allowing another flavor to creep in that ruins its potential. I can’t quite put my finger on what that taste is…it’s kind of like a sweet bread, but with icing all over it…definitely not a taste I’d equate with a typical donut. That’s kind of disappointing, because otherwise this is pretty close to the name brand.

They aren’t quite gross, nor inedible, just…disappointing, and not at all what I was hoping for. For those who have never tried frozen donuts before, these might hit the spot—the price does provide some good value. On the other hand, it might also turn the inexperienced off to glazed donuts forever, without even being a good example of one. Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever get these again, even though it’s one of the few places I can even find them.

NOTE: If anyone else is familiar with the frozen donuts I’m talking about and knows where to find them, or if they even make them anymore, please let me know in the comments! I’m usually pretty good about researching things online and can’t find any leads anywhere. The only frozen donuts I can currently find are gluten free donuts (from Katz or Kinnikinnick) and those definitely ain’t it. Rich’s also makes them, but they seem to be more for commercial use (i.e. bakeries decorate them themselves to pass off as their own) and not for direct-to-consumer sales. Please tell me Donut Time isn’t the sole supplier of these things!

Overall: 5.5/10. Full admission: I love frozen glazed donuts. In fact, I’d put the taste nearly on par with Krispy Kreme…yeah, I said it. However, these don’t quite reach the lofty heights of flavor heaven of other brands that I’ve had, all thanks to a light glaze that isn’t enough to cover up the lackluster flavor of the plain donut underneath. The $1 asking price (for six smallish donuts) does provide some good value, though, and the weird out-of-the-microwave texture is pretty spot on with the larger brands. I probably won’t ever get them again, but I’m at least not sorry that I tried them.