Fractured Prune in Columbia and Ellicott City

How many toppings do you need to try before you say, "You know what would improve this donut? Sausage!"

The Fractured Prune is a donut shop like no other. The local branches of an Ocean City-based chain, the Prunes in Columbia and Ellicott City make their name by serving piping hot donuts and topping them sweet glazes and toppings. Pick a glaze -- honey, chocolate, peanut butter, etc. Then use the glaze to capture something crunchy like sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, Oreo cookies. (See update that the Columbia and Ellicott City stores appear to have closed.)

This is a kid's dream, and the Prune tops the sweet options with the Hole-in-One -- a hot donut of your choice, topped with a scoop of ice cream.

But the true inspiration comes for breakfast. The Fractured Prune has bagels and normal bread to fill with eggs and meat, but why slice a mere bagel when you have hot donuts on hand? Slice that donut long-ways, then fill with sausage. It's an inspired idea -- once or twice. The plain donut is lightly sweet, although as oily as a treat from a carnival midway. The sausage is good, although not Boarman's home-made variety. Together, they're like something from the state fair stands that sell deep-fried Snickers bar. Great fun. Bad for the arteries. But it's not like you're cooking these at home every weekend.

(Update: Check the comments. On September 15, 2008, the Columbia store was closed and had a sign that says "Due to unforseen circumstances we have had to close this location at this time. Hopefully, we will see you back soon." It lists a phone number for questions. The store looks fully stocked -- as if people just locked up one night and didn't come back in the morning.)

(Update: On April 3, 2009, there were reports that the Ellicott City store had closed as well.)

Click here for all the posts about sweets or here for all the posts about breakfasts. If you want a more adult breakfast, consider Eggspectation in Ellicott City for a full menu or Bonaparte Bread in Savage on the weekends.

Fractured Prune donut shop
6470 Freetown Road #205
Columbia, MD 21044
410-531-6916
http://www.fracturedprune.com/menu_columbia.php

NEAR: This is in the Hickory Ridge village center just off Cedar Lane. This is north of Rte 32 and south of Broken Land Parkway just west of Rte 29.



Fractured Prune donut shop
9095 Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-203-2992

NEAR: This is at the intersection of Frederick Road and St. Johns Lane in Ellicott City. St. Johns intersects with Rte 40 just west of Rte 29.