- Attraction: Purple Glaze
- Location: 516 Summerfield Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
- Industry: Donut Shop
- Website: https://www.purpleglazedonuts.com
Picture biting into a donut so fresh it’s still warm, with a satisfying crunch on the outside giving way to impossibly fluffy insides.
That’s exactly what awaits at this charming neighborhood gem that’s earned national acclaim since opening its doors back in May 2015.
Founded by pastry chef Jacki Sharpe and her self-taught baker son Wesley, this downtown Asbury Park destination has become a beloved staple for both locals and shore visitors seeking something far beyond your average chain donut.
What sets this place apart is their commitment to made-to-order creations using fresh daily donuts as a canvas. The shop ranked 49th among the Top 50 Donut Shops in the USA according to Yelp, and it’s the only Jersey Shore donut shop to make the prestigious list.
With an extensive menu that spans from traditional classics to wildly inventive flavor combinations, plus options for every dietary need, this colorful shop has transformed the simple donut into an art form that keeps people coming back week after week.
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Keep Exploring →Creative Flavors That Push Boundaries
The Coconut Concussion: This tropical masterpiece features vanilla icing loaded with shredded coconut, a drizzle of chocolate, and coconut cream filling that delivers pure paradise in every bite. The combination is perfectly balanced without being overly sweet, making it one of the most beloved options on the menu.
Wake ‘n’ Bacon: If you’ve never understood the maple bacon donut hype, this version will convert you. The shop absolutely nails the sweet and savory balance, creating a breakfast-inspired treat that’s become a fan favorite. The bacon adds just the right amount of crunch and saltiness to complement the maple sweetness.
Shark Attack Adventure: Kids and adults alike go crazy for this playful creation topped with a gummy shark. It’s not just Instagram-worthy but genuinely delicious, with creative toppings that make choosing just one donut nearly impossible.
Holey Cannoli Delight: Who knew a donut could capture the essence of an Italian pastry so perfectly? This inventive flavor brings cannoli vibes to donut form, proving that the shop’s creativity knows no bounds.
French Toast Fusion: This breakfast-inspired creation tastes exactly like biting into syrup-soaked French toast, but in portable donut form. The flavor authenticity is remarkable and it’s often gone early in the day.
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Discover MoreKey Lime Pie Perfection: Tart, creamy, and utterly refreshing, this flavor transports you straight to a Florida beach. The lime flavor is bright and authentic without tasting artificial.
Cookie Dough Dreams: For those with a sweet tooth, this option delivers chunks of cookie dough flavor married with a perfectly textured base that stays light despite the richness of the topping.
Classic Options & Three-Tier Pricing
Plain & Simple Selections: At just two dollars each, you’ll find traditional favorites like glazed, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla or chocolate iced varieties with or without sprinkles. These prove that even the basics shine when made fresh.
The Classics Tier: Priced at two-fifty per donut, this category includes beloved standards like Boston Cream with chocolate icing and Bavarian cream filling, the signature Purple Glaze, and jelly-filled options including the playfully named “It’s A Jelly!” with black raspberry filling.
Fancy & Filled Creations: The top tier comes in at three dollars each and showcases the shop’s most inventive work. Beyond the flavors already mentioned, you’ll find options like Banana Crème Pie, PB&J, and an ever-rotating selection of seasonal specials and daily innovations that keep the menu exciting.
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Keep Exploring →Specialty Days: Chocolate donut enthusiasts should mark Sundays on their calendar, as that’s when chocolate-based creations take center stage. The specials change regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.
Dietary Options For Everyone
Vegan Varieties: The shop offers an impressive array of plant-based options with both vanilla and chocolate cake donuts as bases, then topped with numerous vegan-friendly glazes and fillings. These aren’t afterthought alternatives but genuinely delicious creations that happen to be vegan.
Gluten-Free Goodness: Baked separately in a dedicated area to prevent cross-contamination, the gluten-free donuts come in multiple flavors including options with glazes and fillings.
While the texture differs slightly from the regular offerings, they’re still remarkably satisfying treats. Popular choices include the Triple Berry Blast with strawberry glaze, raspberry drizzle, and blueberry compote filling.
Pup-Friendly Treats: Your four-legged friends don’t have to miss out! The shop makes homemade doggy treats so your canine companion can enjoy something special too.
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Discover MoreThe Perfect Donut Texture
That Signature Crunch: The donuts achieve an ideal textural contrast with a lightly crispy, golden exterior that gives a satisfying crunch when you first bite in. This slight crispness develops from their frying technique and stays intact even after the donuts have cooled.
Fluffy Interior Magic: Inside, the donuts are remarkably light and airy with a tender, cakey texture that melts in your mouth. They manage to be substantial without feeling heavy or greasy, which means you can easily enjoy multiple flavors without feeling weighed down.
Fresh & Warm: Because the donuts are made to order and topped fresh, you’ll often receive them still warm. This freshness makes an enormous difference, and the donuts retain their quality even if you need to drive twenty minutes home with them in your car.
Not Overly Sweet: Despite being desserts, the base donut itself has a balanced sweetness that allows the toppings and fillings to shine without creating sugar overload. The fillings are creamy and smooth with just the right ratio to donut, never overwhelming the bite.
Atmosphere & Shop Details
Intimate Space: The shop itself is quite small and cozy, with capacity limited to just five customers at a time inside. This intimate size actually adds to the neighborhood charm, making it feel like a hidden gem you’ve discovered rather than a chain operation.
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Keep Exploring →Outdoor Seating Available: While the interior is compact, there’s outdoor seating where you can enjoy your donuts al fresco. The colorful exterior with the big purple donut on the door makes the shop impossible to miss as you walk down Summerfield Avenue.
Visual Display: The daily specials are beautifully presented in the window, making it nearly impossible to simply walk past without stopping in. The vibrant, artistic presentation of each donut is part of the experience, with creations that look as good as they taste.
Downtown Location: Situated in the heart of downtown Asbury Park, the shop is just a short walk from Cookman Street and the famous boardwalk. The location puts you right in the middle of the revitalized music town where Bruce Springsteen got his start at The Stone Pony.
Practical Considerations
Pricing Perspective: With donuts ranging from two to three dollars each, the pricing sits comfortably in the mid-range category.
While more expensive than chain shops, the quality, freshness, and creativity make them a worthwhile splurge. The shop also offers discounts on dozen purchases, and bulk orders for events come at reasonable rates.
Parking Realities: Street parking is the only option, and it can be challenging, especially during busy summer weekends when Asbury Park swells with shore visitors. Arrive early or be prepared to circle for a spot. There are paid parking lots nearby in the downtown area that offer more reliable options.
Limited Hours: The shop operates Thursday through Sunday from seven-thirty in the morning until two in the afternoon, staying closed Monday through Wednesday. Weekend availability is essential for shore visitors, but locals should plan accordingly around the mid-week closure.
Ordering Process: Be patient when ordering, as each donut is hand-topped to order. This means wait times can extend during busy periods, but the payoff of receiving a freshly prepared donut is well worth the few extra minutes. The overwhelming variety of choices can make decision-making difficult, so take your time perusing the menu.
Family-Friendly Vibe: The shop welcomes kids, who typically love choosing from the creative, colorful options. The playful names and fun toppings like gummy sharks make this an exciting treat destination for families visiting the shore.
Event Orders: The shop excels at handling bulk orders for weddings, baby showers, and special events. They can create custom themed donuts and package everything beautifully for your celebration. Many couples have made Purple Glaze donuts part of their wedding welcome bags or dessert spreads.
Best Time To Visit: Arriving earlier in the day ensures the widest selection, as popular flavors can sell out. The shop gets busier as the morning progresses, especially on weekends, so early birds get the best choices and shortest wait times.
Purple Glaze
📍 516 Summerfield Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
