Sickly Sweet or Satisfied Cravings?
They tried wraps. They tried steak sandwiches. They even tried flatbread pizzas no one wanted. But between their flops, there’s always been one item Tim Hortons delivered well: donuts. Join us as we venture past the angry geese and into this popular Canadian coffee chain! We’re here to break down which donuts are worth the loonies and which ones aren’t.
1. Old-Fashioned Plain
This beloved donut is a love-it-or-hate-it item, and you can probably guess which side we’re on. We know it’s in the name, but it’s still too plain for us! The only thing that saves this pastry is dipping it in Tim’s coffee…which also isn’t that great.
2. Chocolate Eclair
On the surface, chocolate eclairs sound like a dream come true—but not from Tim Hortons. The weird, doughy donut mixed with an uneven chocolate coating is bad enough, and the messy filling makes this thing more of a nightmare.
Sharon Hahn Darlin on Wikimedia
3. Double Chocolate
Double chocolate donuts seem great for chocoholics, and they would be if you didn’t cough on every bite. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t have enough glaze to compensate for its cakey texture, leaving you with a mouthful of cement that doesn’t even taste good.
RightCowLeftCoast on Wikimedia
4. Honey Cruller
Ah, the honey cruller: a donut that only looks good in theory. The problem with the Timmies version is that it constantly lacks that telltale crunch of a good cruller. Instead, most customers chow down on a soft donut that lacks texture. Well, at least it tastes good.
5. Boston Cream
The Boston Cream relies more on nostalgia than presentation. Call us crazy, but its seniority on Timmies' shelves still pulls us in every time, despite the uninspired taste and inevitable mess. Just don’t think too much about the filling and you’ll get your money’s worth.
6. Sugar Loop
It sure would be nice if Timmies’ sugar loop was actually coated in sugar. However, just like any fast food chain, those marketing photos are nothing like the real thing. While this option packs pretty good flavor, at the end of the day, it’s just a honey dip with a sprinkle of sugar.
7. Nutella Dream
Thankfully, this one isn’t part of Timmies’ everyday roster. Sure, Nutella seemed like a tasty addition, but we really got a letdown that cost twice as much as the old guys. To make matters worse, all that hazelnut spread made the whole thing way too rich—assuming you even got a decent dollop to begin with.
8. Strawberry-Filled Donut
If you thought Boston Creams were messy, say hello to this jelly-filled monstrosity. The taste is there, we’ll give it that, but the vanilla coating and bizarre, gel-like filling overwhelm the palate (and our fingers). However, we’ll give it brownie points for being one of the only jelly-filled options available.
Matilde Park from Toronto, Canada on Wikimedia
9. Chocolate Glazed
It’s not that the chocolate glaze is bad, it’s just a little too sweet for us! A cakey chocolate donut is already enough for our cravings, so adding a sickly-sweet glaze gives us more of a stomachache than a satisfied sweet tooth.
10. Vanilla Dip
Alright, we’ll say it: we like the vanilla dip donut with the right sprinkles. This classic option works best with those long, soft sprinkles—not the terrible dots that get stuck between your teeth. We may have to wait for holidays, but it’s worth it for the lovable flavor and easier crunch.
Coastal Elite from Halifax, Canada on Wikimedia
With some lackluster options out of the way, it’s time we sank our teeth into the best Mr. Horton has to offer.
1. Apple Fritter
Tim’s apple fritter can be polarizing, but we don’t know why! You have a tasty crunch, an even better taste, and just the right amount of glaze. It’s like a little taste of fall in every bite, and we can’t get enough of the apple-cinnamon blend.
Laurel L. Russwurm on Wikimedia
2. Chocolate Dip
Okay, we won’t lie. Most Timmies donuts taste a little…synthetic. The classic chocolate dip does have a hint of that under its gooey glaze, but we’re still fans of this traditional option. It’s a no-fuss choice that offers the perfect amount of chocolate atop a nice, soft donut.
3. Old-Fashioned Glazed
Do you know what makes the boring old-fashioned better? A great glaze! You have all the flavor and a smooth finish that makes it easier on the palate. Sure, it’s a little sticky, but that’s a small price to pay for such an upgrade on the original.
4. Dutchie
Dutchies made a comeback earlier this year with Tim’s retro menu, and we couldn’t be happier to see this on shelves again. It might not be flashy, but that nostalgic flavor is so good we don’t even care that there’s raisins.
5. Maple Dip
What’s a Canadian donut chain without maple? Think of a chocolate dip donut, but with a delightful maple glaze instead. Though the flavor is a bit too sweet for some, we love the simplicity and often reach for one when we need a dose of caramel.
6. Honey Dip
The honey dip is perfect for anyone who appreciates the lighter side of life. With its airy consistency and softer glaze, you aren’t overwhelmed with flavor or texture. Just make sure you have some wet naps on hand because this one’s on the sticky side.
7. Sour Cream Glazed
Sour cream isn’t for everyone, but you might change your tune with this classic donut! While it seems weird to stick sour cream in a pastry, Tim Hortons found a way to make it work. You get a nice, dense donut with a slight tang and sweet glaze that somehow complement each other beautifully.
8. Canadian Maple
We aren’t done with the maple stuff yet. Boston Cream isn’t exactly a chart-topper, but something about the maple glaze just makes the whole thing better. That simple swap brought Canada Day right to our mouths, and we really didn’t hate it.
9. Toasted Coconut
You likely won’t find toasted coconut donuts in every location. However, if you can get your hands on one, we highly recommend the toasted or chocolate coconut varieties. Both offer a hearty base dipped in coconut flakes, and the added chewiness makes our tastebuds sing.
10. Blueberry Fritter
If apple fritters aren’t your thing, could we direct your attention to the blueberry ones instead? Another retro classic that made a comeback, this option has both a blueberry jam filling and real blueberries in the dough, making it a mouth-watering summertime snack.
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