One of the greatest things about summer in DC is the abundance of street markets and farmers markets that pop up throughout the city. We’re truly spoiled for choice, and every weekend presents a new opportunity to explore each of DC’s eight wards.


Although it opened this spring to much fanfare, until now I haven’t stopped by one of DC’s newest food-centered markets: Smorgasburg. Setting up every Saturday in the Navy Yard’s Tingey Plaza, the market promised a true cornucopia of choice, but what lured me to investigate was the promise of gluten-free and vegan doughnuts from the DC-based dedicated gluten-free bakery Sweet Crimes. 


I don’t know about you, but the promise of a cone full of hot doughnuts on a cool, fall morning is the perfect motivation to get up and at ’em on a Saturday morning! I didn’t need much persuasion to clear my calendar to plan a visit to Smorgasburg, and was looking forward to reuniting with a food that is so rarely both gluten and dairy-free, yet so abundant this time of year. 


Sweet Crimes’ gluten-free baked goods are made locally in the District in the food incubator Mess Hall. Found at shops throughout the region as well as festivals, you can also get your Sweet Crimes fix by ordering directly through their website. 


At Smorgasburg, Sweet Crimes serves up two sweet delicacies, a macaroon bowl and the conut (doughnut holes in a cone), both of which ring up at $7 each. Although the macaroons were truly tempting, I knew I was there completely for the conut, and did not waver in the least when I went to order. The cones can be topped with your choice of hibiscus, whipped cream (with both a dairy-filled and vegan option on hand), passionfruit, hibiscus, and sprinkles. 


I ordered my conut with the vegan whipped cream and sprinkles, and absolutely felt like a kid again with my giddiness at the delicious look and smell of my breakfast. Due to the warmth of the doughnuts, the whipped cream didn’t hold it’s form, but you won’t hear any complaints from me because the creamy vanilla cream paired beautifully with the hot doughnuts. 

The doughnuts themselves are dense and chewy (in the best possible way) and have a lovely apple flavor with a dash of cinnamon. Not too sweet, the doughnut holes deliver the perfect morning pick-me-up without inducing a sugar coma. As a sign of just how good they were, my taste buds did a double take on my first bite, not quite believing the texture and taste of the doughnuts were actually gluten and dairy-free. 

After enjoying every last bite of my conut, I stopped back by Sweet Crimes’ booth for a hibiscus tea. Although I was expecting it to be sweet, I actually appreciated that the brew was not sweet at all, because it helped to counteract the sugar content of the doughnuts, whipped cream, and sprinkles. With an intense hibiscus flavor, it was a lovely way to polish off my breakfast and a refreshing way to hold off the growing heat of the late summer day. 

I was definitely impressed by Sweet Crimes’ conut, and look forward to making it’s acquaintance again throughout the fall. Warm, fresh-cooked doughnuts are truly a treat for anyone avoiding gluten, and it was thrilling to be able to reunite with this iconic baked good at an affordable price point. 


If the discovery of safe doughnuts wasn’t enough, I’ve also learned that Sweet Crimes will be coming to a Capitol Hill storefront early next year. If these doughnuts are any indication of the gluten-free goodness to come, count me among the eager foodies ready to welcome them to a permanent location in the District. This bakery’s opening is definitely at the top of my list of things I’m looking forward to next year! 


For more information about Smorgasburg, click here. For more information about Sweet Crimes, click here.


Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the bakery directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.