July 6, 2025

Johan’s Sour Cream Old Fashioned

Tastemaker
By Eric Cox | May 11, 2019

Johan’s Pastry Shop in Petoskey should be mildly ashamed of itself for its obnoxiously fresh offering of mouth-wateringly delicious donuts, cakes, breads, and other delights. But of particular offense to the vigilant waist-watcher is Johan’s incredible sour cream old fashioned donut ($2). Now, don’t go mistaking this donut for some bland bit of batter that tastes like ancestory.com. No. While it truly is an anachronistic treat (dating back to 1829!), the Johan’s version offers an uber-rich sweetness punctuated by a crunchy, carbuncular exterior that affords great texture. Deep-frying this donut variety at lower temperatures produces the jagged surface eruptions, resulting in satisfyingly crispy edges — a bit of an anomaly in the donut world, since most are soft. These brittle edges, however, drizzled as they are with a super-sweet vanilla glaze, contrast nicely with the donut’s soft, yellow, cakey interior, the batter for which is enriched with sour cream, and sometimes buttermilk. While some may startle at its $2 price tag, fear not. This is no feathery trifle of a pastry. Nay. A rich, hefty round cake is what your $2 earns. But, don’t take my word for it. Go taste how wrong — and right — it is for yourself. Johan’s Pastry Shop, 565 W. Mitchell, Petoskey. (231) 347-3815

Trending

Meet the Karens

Every so often, Northern Express includes stories suggested by readers. This is one such story, and it came from Ada Takacs.… Read More >>

Dining Under the Full Moon

Celebrate moonlit evenings this summer and fall with the Full Moon Dinner Series by the Inn at Bay Harbor, held in the Sagam… Read More >>

Ice Storm Closures Linger

While the March ice storm can feel particularly far away when we’re in the midst of 80-degree temps, sunshine, and sum… Read More >>

Sixty Years of Alpenfest

Sixty years—can you believe it?! This Alpenfest will be one for the books, and all the fun runs from July 8-12 in Gayl… Read More >>