What Is A Spudnut?
A spudnut – the ultimate in comfort food – is a potato based donut that can be traced back to German roots. The Germans are known for both their potato-based donuts as well as other potato foods like dumplings. The potato donut concept was eventually brought to America by brothers Al and Bob Pelton – both of Salt Lake City Utah.
Spudnut Shops: Building A Franchise
The history of spudnuts is almost as rich as its pastry. It all began when the Pelton brothers had eaten the unique and delicious pastry in Germany. From there, the brothers considered that it would be a good idea to bring the concept to America in the form of their own business, and then they began putting into motion what would eventually become a very successful business. Through trial and error, they were able to eventually create a special dry potato mix that could be transported without being spoiled. Naturally, this development revolutionized their business model.
The development of the potato-based mix allowed the spudnut concept to be franchised, as the mix could be transported without the ingredients becoming spoiled. Soon after, they settled on the coined term spudnut (a clear linguistic mix of potato spud and donut), and officially opened for business in the 1950s. The concept would quickly catch on, and it would not be long after opening their doors before Al and Bob Pelton would be able to establish a nationwide spudnut shops franchises.
Creative Advertising: A Recipe for Success
The Spudnut shop advertising campaign was a vigorous one centered on the slogan “coast to coast…Alaska to Mexico” and a likeable Mr.
Spudnut. The campaign, which began long before they first opened their doors and continued thereafter, undergirded the growth of this popular and well-loved franchise. It was highly spirited, deliberate and measured, and was quite effective in creating the buzz needed to not only spark the interest of prospective clients from among members of the public, but to also sustain an increased the levels of anticipation as well. Ads ranged from the simple to the sophisticated – spawning two very popular, and now historic, published adverts in the Morehouse Enterprise and Bastrop Clarion newspapers respectively.
A now famous advert from the campaign was the very first one published in the Morehouse Enterprise on February 19, 1952. The ad boldly, simply, and effectively declared: “Spudnut is coming” – written in bold faced capitalized font. Another ad from the campaign, published in the Bastrop Clarion on March 7, 1952, announced the grand opening that would take place the very next day on March 8, 1952. The advert featured the engaging ‘Mr. Spudnut,’ and was creatively headlined “Welcome Mr. Spudnut.”
Soon, ‘spudnut’ would become both a household name, and a fan favorite. Today, spudnuts are a cult classic, and they are still spudnut coffee shops around the country using the same original recipe and mom and pop place model. As such, most naturally offer you an opportunity to unwind with spudnut pastry, your favorite cup of coffee, a good read, or perhaps good company.
Using Popular Spudnut Recipes: Make It Your Own
The best part about enjoying our favorite meals is being able to make special homemade versions that we can enjoy over and over again. For this reason, there are popular recipes online with unique alterations for making and enjoying your own brand of spudnuts in the comfort of your favorite home kitchen. In this light, spudnuts can be an added favorite to a party you are hosting or a desert favorite for your family and a few friends. Either way, there are several recipes to choose from online. Of course, said recipes can be tweaked to suit you and your loved ones’ unique taste. A simple web search in any popular search engine or recipe site should turn up some results. From there, you can select the recipe best suited to your needs, and tweak it from there as much as is necessary. We found this great recipe that has excellent step-by-step instructions complete with photos on Simply So Good. We also found this fun and helpful video from AverageBetty.com.
Spudnuts: Then and Now
Although synonymous with donuts, it should come as no surprise that spudnuts have evolved outside the realm of its classic donut origin. After all, just as how there are varying shapes and kinds of pastries made from non-potato based flour, the same remains true for tasty potato based variations. Today, we have spudnuts, spudnut cinnamon rolls, spuddies and spuffins, all for the taking, while the fluffy, light pastry we have all come to love remains the same.
One of the most popular of the spudnut franchises still existing today and using the original mixture is very popular in the Washington State area. It is a regular morning when spudnuts are sold out before noon. As such, it is recommended that you get in as the earliest bird to enjoy all that is to be had from the experience of buying and enjoying pastry from The Spudnut Shop. It is not surprising that many regulars take theirs to go, or that many nearby employees make large breakfast orders that they can enjoy with their colleagues and coffee first thing in the morning at the office. So popular is The Spudnut Shop, that customers have no real complaint except that it is so popular it is often crowded.
A Viable Alternative
Many persons today are voluntarily or involuntarily gluten free. While the concept of being gluten free may not have been as popular or widespread when spudnuts were first introduced to the market, in today’s gluten free world, the potato flour based mixture of spudnuts provides a tasty alternative. Potato based donuts allow for a delicious option for those who have to, or choose to, stay away from gluten. These folks, who would like to have their cake and eat it too, can do so guilt, or injury free. It should be noted that because spudnuts are prepared in a similar manner to that of traditional donut – being deep fried – it is still very much a guilty pleasure. As such, persons on a calorie restricting diet, should be careful to consume spudnut pastry in moderation.
