Taste of Freedom: Fractured Prune Doughnuts

Across US including AZ, CO, PA, MD, NJ • FracturedPrune.com 

You know that old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? I feel like that also applies here: don’t judge a bakery by its name, no matter how weird it might be.

As you have probably read in previous posts, my new work team is all based in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. As a reward for accomplishing our annual required trainings, my manager Liz recently sent us all a meeting hit titled “FRACTURED PRUNE FIELD TRIP.” What in the world is Fractured Prune and why are we taking a field trip there, I wondered?

After some Google investigations, I learned that Fractured Prune is a chain of build-your-own doughnut shops found throughout the U.S.

I fully admit, my Portland pretentiousness perked up. I really try not to be like that, but really, the Rose City has seriously spoiled me rotten and it’s hard not to compare places to my favorite joints back in Portland.

Plus, with a name like Fractured Prune, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

All that being said, of course I wasn’t going to turn down an offsite visit to get sweets! And let me just say now, my manager did not let me down.

All of Fractured Prune’s cake doughnuts are specialized, made to order and served warm.

When we entered, we were greeted by some friendly staff who walked us through their process: take a menu slip, choose from 19 glazes and 13 toppings, then watch your doughnut will get fried up and prepped just the way you requested. You can customize your doughnut however you’d like. Or if you are like me and sometimes need inspiration so your creation doesn’t go overboard (I have similar problems at Garden Bar and Eb & Bean…), they also have suggested combinations.

I went with their Cookies & Cream made with vanilla glaze and topped with Oreo cookie crumbs and the French Toast with maple glaze and cinnamon sugar.

My teammates got the Key Lime Pie with key lime glaze, graham crackers and powdered sugar; S’mores with marshmallow glaze, graham crackers and mini chocolate chips;  and then Carnival, a more traditional doughnut with honey glaze and rainbow sprinkles.

Because they were served warm, the cake doughnuts tasted light and fluffy instead of being heavy. The toppings were rich and sweet, but not too overpowering, at least for a few bites. The flavor options are unique but not crazy to the point of unnecessary.

I couldn’t nail down a favorite, but I guess I would choose the French Toast since the flavors were clean, well balanced and I am a bit of a breakfast fiend.

When I asked my coworkers their thoughts (partially for the blog), I was told the treats had “undertones of fresh air” and “tasted like America.” Ha! With comments like that, you know it’s good. 🙂

Now, as for the name. What is that all about? Well, we learned the story when we arrived at the shop but were all around still a little confused. The chain is named after “the spunky Prunella Shriek, known as Fractured Prunella for the broken bones she suffered competing in traditionally men’s sports even into her 70s.”

Not totally sure I totally get the appeal from a marketing perspective. But alas, their doughnuts were darn tasty so I guess it works!

Now, if you are looking for something similar in Portland, where there is no Fractured Prune, there isn’t anything exactly the same, but these two would fit the craving:

Blue Star Donuts for unique flavors and Pip’s for the warm, fried-to-order doughnut.