By Megan Palumbo & Cassidy Murray – Sports Editor & 1851 Staff

Flavors at Blackbird Doughnuts include marshmallow coconut, guava glaze, “old fashioned” chocolate, and chocolate stout pretzel. Photo by Cassidy Murray

When it comes to doughnuts, Dunkin’ Donuts always crosses the mind, but now there’s a new enticing game changer: Blackbird Doughnuts. This artisanal doughnut shop stands out in the South End of Boston and recently opened another store in Fenway last year. 

Managed by the owners of The Gallows, this team opened Blackbird back in 2015 with the intention to make gourmet doughnuts while experimenting with flavors, and using natural and locally sourced ingredients.

All the doughnuts are made on-site, and there’s exclusive flavors that come out for every season or special occasion. Recent flavors include marshmallow coconut, guava glaze, “old fashioned” chocolate, and chocolate stout pretzel. In addition, they make pizza doughnuts and doughnut cakes.

Blackbird Doughnuts, located in the South End and near Fenway, offers an array of artisanal doughnuts. Photo by Megan Palumbo

When you walk into the shop, the smell of fresh doughnuts lingers, and you can get a glimpse of the baking process. Through glass windows, the bakers are making doughnuts and placing them on trays to buy, offering a welcoming sight. This is different from any other doughnut shop in Boston and it draws the customers in.

Blackbird’s trademark treat is the raised doughnut, made with brioche dough. This doughnut is light and airy, topped with homemade glazes and frostings. The guava glaze was a raised doughnut giving off vibrant bursts of citrus flavors, not normally associated with doughnuts.

Blackbird also makes cake doughnuts, their “old fashioned” style. The chocolate “old fashioned” doughnut is a cake doughnut that is rich and so delicate to the point that each bite melts in your mouth.