Whether you enjoy one with a hot cup of coffee in the morning or pick up a dozen to share with family, the molasses donut has become a hometown tradition. In 2026, 1,737 voters from Maine's Aroostook County and beyond cast their ballots in the Best of Aroostook Awards to recognize their favorite places to enjoy this local classic.

Here are the 2026 winners for Best Molasses Donut.

With 211 votes, the award for Best Molasses Donut in Aroostook goes to...

First Place: Sadie's Bakery

For generations, the smell of fresh doughnuts drifting through downtown Houlton, Maine, has led people straight to Sadie's Bakery.

Established in 1948, Sadie's has been serving Aroostook County for more than 75 years. The bakery became a local icon under longtime owners Tim and Sharon O'Donnell, who spent decades perfecting the recipes and welcoming customers like old friends. Through the years, people have asked to have Sadie's doughnuts shipped across the country, hoping to enjoy a taste of home once again. The answer has always been simple: some traditions are best enjoyed fresh from the bakery.

The recipe for the bakery's famous doughnuts has remained remarkably unchanged since the business first opened. Plain, chocolate, and especially the legendary molasses doughnuts have become a tradition for families across southern Aroostook. On Wednesday mornings, many locals know exactly where they're headed.

With 211 votes, Sadie's Bakery was the overwhelming choice for Best Molasses Donut in the 2026 Best of Aroostook Awards.

Second Place: The County Bakery

In Mars Hill, Maine, The County Bakery is carrying on recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Owner Rosemary Lavway learned to bake from her mother and grandmother, Rose Willette, who owned the beloved Stars and Stripes diner in Presque Isle during the 1940s. Rose was known throughout the region for her homemade doughnuts, and today those same family recipes continue to be made fresh at Rosie's: The County Bakery.

From classic buttermilk doughnuts to creative seasonal flavors, every batch reflects a commitment to homemade baking and small-town hospitality. The bakery has quickly become a favorite stop for breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats, while preserving a piece of Aroostook County's culinary history.

The County Bakery earned second place with 26 votes.

Third Place: Lil J's Kitchen

In Mapleton, Maine, Lil J's is carrying on a doughnut tradition that stretches across generations of Aroostook County baking. Owner Jessica Libby learned from her grandmother, Christy Plourde, whose homemade doughnuts from Plourde's Doughnuts became legendary throughout The County.

"She made doughnuts for 55 years. She was known in the Valley and all of Aroostook. People would travel for hours to get her doughnuts." - Jessica Libby

Today, that same family tradition continues at Lil J's, where recipes and techniques have been passed from one generation to the next. Every batch honors a legacy that many Aroostook families still remember, giving both longtime residents and first-time visitors a chance to experience a true taste of northern Maine.

Lil J's earned third place with 24 votes.

2026 Honorable Mentions

Listed in order of popularity among voters. There are a lot of donut makers to taste test in the Crown of Maine!

• Ruska Coffee — Caribou, Maine
• Mimi's Cook Nook — Island Falls, Maine
• Governor's Restaurant and Bakery— Presque Isle, Maine
• Hub Coffee — Presque Isle, Maine
• Back 40 Farm— Smyrna Mills, Maine
• Brookside Inn — Smyrna Mills, Maine
• Theresa's Corner Cafe and Bakery — Presque Isle, Maine
• Appalachian Trail Café — Millinocket, Maine
• Brenda's Restaurant — Sherman, Maine
• Dead Tired Donuts — Frenchville, Maine
• Momma Bear's Bake Shop — Wade, Maine
• The Pastry Corner — Houlton, Maine

"Best Molasses Donut" is just one of eleven categories awarded by Aroostook County Tourism. Click here to see the full results of the 2026 Best of Aroostook Awards.

Aroostook County Tourism (ACT) is the Destination Marketing Organization of Maine's Aroostook County. ACT is comprised of a 12-member volunteer board that works to promote all of Aroostook and invite visitors to find their own adventure through marketing.

Best of Aroostook is a fun way to highlight the people, businesses, and places that make the Crown of Maine special. No prizes are awarded. Winners are announced for the top three organizations in each category, while the remaining organizations are recognized as honorable mentions. As is tradition, the honor system guides voting because Best of Aroostook is meant to be a fun way to celebrate local favorites. Please vote and participate respectfully. Voting was open from January 1 through March 24, 2026, and winners were announced in April 2026.