Vicky and Vernon delicately slice their confections into small bites, savoring each morsel as if it were their last. The couple make a point of stopping at Benny’s Donuts for this experience and they intend to relish every sweet moment.
“When you catch them coming hot off the grill – ahh – they’re to die for,” Vernon says of the donuts, grinning and then quickly looking for his next bite.
Benny’s is a mandatory visit each time the Southern Californians return to Corvallis to visit family, Vicky says. It has been since Benny’s opened for business nearly three years ago. Manager Melissa Templeton smiles when she hears this. Afterall, she just made the donuts to order.
“We hoped we could make something so fantastic that we could be a vacation stop,” she says. “They can taste the difference.”
Anyone searching for sweet tooth satisfaction can stroll downtown Corvallis and find something to savor. If you don’t have a craving for specialty donuts, consider handmade chocolates and sweets at Burst’s Chocolates, a Corvallis institution for 80 years. Or, try a taste adventure with traditional Chinese pastries at Sweet Heart Dessert.
Pick your itinerary based on your taste buds. Benny’s, at 116 NW 3rd St., makes their donuts from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. Each can be adorned with toppings of your own choosing as you watch. The two Californians shared a marionberry donut with rosemary, a maple with sea salt, a lemon lavender with pepper, a chocolate with peanut butter and a cinnamon donut.
Walk south for a block and a half, turn right for another block or so and step into Burst’s Chocolates at 353 SW Madison Ave. Inside the narrow, deep shop are long display cabinets stocked with every chocolate imaginable. Shelves are lined with jars holding even more chocolate plus a few novelty sweets.
The store has been operating since Rhea and Charlie Burst first opened their doors in 1938. Burst’s has been a local tradition for generations of Corvallis residents ever since. Current chocolatier/owner Patrick Magee started working here in 1995 and bought the store a year later.
He offers a sliver of milk chocolate to sample. The rich, smooth flavor transcends the typical store-bought competition. He points out jars of single-source chocolates made with cocoa harvested from individual family farms around the world.
Truffles and ganache are a couple of the most popular sellers, he says. “(Dark chocolate) almond bark, too. We sell a lot of almond bark.”
Your next stop is just a short drive away on 9th Street: Sweet Heart Dessert, Corvallis' newest dessert place which opened mid-summer 2019 and specializes in traditional Chinese pastries. Sweet Heart is located at 1327 NW 9th St., STE 115 and owned by 栾欣 (Luán xīn), who moved to Corvallis from Beijing, China.
Sweet Heart serves traditional Chinese pastries, which are lower in sugar than American pastries, made from locally sourced ingredients. Offerings include crepe cakes in various flavors like strawberry, matcha, and durian, as well as chocolate buns, pork floss, salted yolk pastries, red bean pastries, and more.
Pair one of Sweet Heart's delicious desserts with a selection from their boba tea menu and enjoy both in their adorable, comfortable little cafe for the perfect afternoon.
Benny's Donuts makes high-quality cake donuts fresh with love every few minutes, all day long, and decorates them to order right in front of you. Toppings include traditional favorites like chocolate sprinkles and cinnamon sugar, as well as more unique toppings like lemon lavender, marionberry and cold brew coffee, along with monthly specials.
Visit BennysDonuts.com.
Bodhi Artisan Bakery is a local favorite at farmers markets throughout the Willamette Valley. You can find their fresh baked long-fermented sourdough breads, French pastry and delicious locally-sourced farmer-inspired fare at the Albany, Corvallis, McMinnville and Salem Farmers Markets all season long, or visit their cafe in Corvallis.
Visit BodhiBakery.com.
Fine gourmet chocolates never go out of style. Burst's should know - they've been handcrafting them since 1938. This charming little chocolate shop offers truffles, nut caramel clusters, caramels, ganaches and creams and more.
Visit www.BurstsChocolates.com.
Death by Donutz' donuts are made fresh daily with a wide range of batter types, flavors and designs, including gluten free and vegan donuts. They also offer custom donuts, catering for weddings and other occasions, and weekly delivery.
Visit Death by Donutz website.
Dough Hook Bake Shop makes fresh doughnuts and pastries from local ingredients daily. They have vegan options, too.
Visit Dough Hook on Facebook.
Le Patissier is a French bakery specializing in pastries.
Visit Le Patissier on Facebook.
Creating delicious food is New Morning Bakery's passion. They use only the finest and freshest ingredients to create their renowned food and treats. They're also a great place to load up on holiday desserts!
Visit www.NewMorningBakery.com.
Find bread, spices, Mexican treats, and custom cakes in Pilos Bakery. They bake fresh bread daily!
Visit Pilos Bakery on Facebook.
Sweet Heart Dessert offers traditional Chinese pastries like beautiful and delicious handmade crepe cakes, tarts, buns and more. Order for special events or just stop in for a quick, tasty dessert.
Article by Dan Shryock. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
