SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) – Residents of Sioux Falls, you can sleep well knowing that in the early morning hours, the freshest doughnuts in Sioux Falls are being created. At the intersection of 49th and Louise is a HyVee store that contains the technology and expertise to make people’s mornings a little better with a fresh hot doughnut.
“It gives me great satisfaction knowing that I make a product that customers really enjoy,” said Nicholas Roberts, HyVee Bakery. “I have a lot of repeat customers who like to watch their doughnuts being made and get them hot. A brother and sister come in after their morning jog and they want to pick their doughnuts up from the end of the machine; if I don’t have anything at the time they will either wait or come back the next day.”
Roberts said he arrives at the store at about 5:00 A.M. and starts the process of making doughnut holes, mini cake and regular cake doughnuts. He enjoys it most when people will be carrying a big product name box of doughnuts, sample his, put the big name product down and pick up a package he made that morning.
“We got our machine at the beginning of May, and more people are becoming aware of it every day,” said Roberts. “I think a lot of people like to come in and see their doughnut being made and packaged in front of their eyes. Some people ask me if I can make them a Funnel Cake but I have to remind them this machine is only for doughnuts. “
Roberts said that there are those who prefer to get a package that has been on the shelf for a while and those who like them fresh and hot. They also like to see their doughnuts being sugared or powdered. The bakery puts the glaze on for those who like them that way.
“When people get their doughnuts fresh off the machine, I tell them to open the box again after they check out,” said Roberts. “Condensation will form in the box and people will have soggy doughnuts by the time they get home. “
Roberts said, the batter comes prepackaged from HyVee, but it isn’t an exact science to make everything good. Too little water in the mixture will give you a very heavy doughnut. Too much water will give you a thin, light doughnut. Paying attention to the mixture in the beginning assures a good end product that customers enjoy.
Roberts and his wife came to Sioux Falls a year ago from Red Oak, IA when his wife got a job at Augustana College. He was working at the Red Oak HyVee and was able to transfer to the store at 49th and Louise.
“My wife and I like Sioux Falls, it’s a nice town and the people are friendly; we plan to stay here for a long time,” said Roberts. “I fill the shelves every day and when I come in the next morning, they are empty. I like the positive compliments I get from the regular people who show up about every morning for their hot doughnuts.”
Roberts said to come in around 7:30 AM to get a fresh hot doughnut.
*Editor’s note: After forcing myself to sample the three types of doughnuts, I prefer the Doughnut Holes most!