The best-selling item at this donut shop is a donut hole, and some folks compare it to a tennis ball. That is not a typo. The smallest thing on most donut menus is the giant here.
These golden, glazed rounds are the number one seller. First-timers can sometimes even get one free, which feels like a very smart trap. I like a bakery that hands you the evidence before you commit.
This little Minnesota shop also has purple accents, wild donut murals, and spinning disco lights. Kids can decorate their own treats with frosting and sprinkles. I can’t imagine a cheerier way to start a Saturday morning.
The Donut Hole That Forgot It Was Supposed To Be Small
Most bakeries treat donut holes like leftovers. At Funner Brothers Donut Company in Golden Valley, they’re the main event and the shop’s number one seller.
Some sources compare them to a tennis ball in size. One online comment even called them more like a medium donut circle than a hole. That’s pretty much the whole joke of this headline.
Each one comes golden, sweet, and glazed. The inside is famously fluffy, which keeps that big size from feeling heavy. It’s basically a donut that skipped the middle-shaping step and decided to go all in.
I like how this flips the usual order of things. A donut hole is supposed to be the bonus snack. Here, it’s the reason people pull into the parking lot.
First-time customers often receive a free one to try. That’s a generous move and a clever one too. One bite usually settles the question of what to order next.
Planning a party? Bite-size versions are available for special events. So you can go tiny if you must. But honestly, why visit a place known for giant donut holes and then order the small ones?
That feels like skipping the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Two Friends, One Old Bakery, And A Much Funnier Name
Back in 1987, this spot opened as Valley Pastries. For decades, it served the Golden Valley neighborhood as a classic corner bakery.
Then 2015 brought a big change. Longtime friends Alex Loosbrock and Mike Getty bought the business. Their goal was to turn it into a true donut destination, not just a quick stop.
They kept baking for years under the old name. In 2023, after a remodel, the shop became Funner Brothers Donut Company. The new name was meant to show off their personality and make the place feel more inviting.
I believe that name tells you a lot before you even open the door. These two clearly don’t take themselves too seriously. Yet they take their donuts very seriously, which is the right balance.
The story also proves you don’t have to tear down a beloved bakery to refresh it. They kept the scratch-made roots and added a big helping of fun. Old customers kept their favorite treats, and new customers got a reason to visit.
Not many friendships end up with a shared bakery and a goofy brand. This one did. Minnesota mornings are better for it.
Disco Lights And Donut Murals Make Breakfast Feel Like A Party
Spinning disco lights are not standard bakery equipment. Here, they’re part of the plan, along with music, art, and a whole lot of color.
The interior blends a modern donut shop look with a whimsical wonderland feel. Clean white walls get a pop from bold purple accents. It’s bright, tidy, and a little bit silly in the best way.
Then come the murals. Vibrant artwork shows fantastical donut-themed scenes across the walls. One mural even sneaks in throwbacks to the 1980s, a fun nod to the year the bakery first opened.
Look closely while you wait in line. Spotting the retro details is half the fun, especially for anyone who grew up in that decade. Kids will probably just enjoy the giant cartoon donuts.
The shop is designed mostly for takeout, with no indoor seating. That keeps the space focused on ordering, browsing, and soaking up the decor. Think of it as a happy little stop rather than a sit-down café.
I like that the owners turned a small storefront into something memorable. Plenty of shops sell donuts. Far fewer make you want to snap a photo of the walls.
Kids Get To Be The Donut Artists Here
Frosting, sprinkles, and total creative control. For a kid, that’s about as good as a Saturday morning gets.
Funner Brothers Donut Company has a dedicated kids’ decorating station. Children pick their own frosting and sprinkles, then top their donuts however they like. Some will aim for art, and some will aim for maximum sprinkle coverage.
Letting kids decorate isn’t brand new here. Even back in the Valley Pastries days, the friendly staff let kids sprinkle their own donuts. The remodel simply gave that tradition a proper home.
Parents, here’s a tip. Bring a few wet wipes. Sprinkles have a talent for showing up on sleeves, cheeks, and car seats long after the donut is gone.
This is also a great idea for a special outing with nieces, nephews, or grandkids. It turns a quick bakery run into a small adventure. Plus, kids are much more likely to finish a donut they made themselves.
I can’t think of a better way to get little ones excited about getting up early. Few kids complain about alarm clocks when frosting is waiting. That alone might be worth the trip.
Bismarks, Long Johns, And A Lineup Built From Scratch
Every donut here is made from scratch, hand-rolled, and cut one at a time. The frostings and glazes are homemade too.
The menu sticks with legendary classics, and the range is impressive. Raised donuts include glazed, sugar, and chocolate iced. Cake fans can grab plain spice, chocolate frosted, or blueberry glazed.
Bismarks come filled with Bavarian cream, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, or apple. Long johns arrive with chocolate, maple, or vanilla icing, plus a few coconut-topped options. That’s a lot of decisions before most people have finished their coffee.
Don’t skip the glazed sour cream old fashioned either. There are also fried cinnamon rolls and glazed cinnamon twists. If you like a little crunch with your sweetness, those twists are a smart pick.
One of the owners has called the custard-filled chocolate bismark his favorite by far. He credits homemade chocolate frosting made with quality cocoa. When the guy who runs the shop picks a favorite, that’s a pretty strong hint.
My advice? Get one giant donut hole, then pick something you’d never order elsewhere. A box with variety beats a box of the same thing. You’re in a donut wonderland, after all.
Summer Nights Bring Ice Cream And A Genius Sandwich
Once the donuts sell out and the sun starts setting, the shop gets a second life. During summer, it scoops Bridgeman’s hard ice cream on Thursday through Sunday evenings.
The ice cream window typically runs from 6 PM to 9 PM. There’s a rotating lineup of twelve flavors. Past picks include Blueberry Cheesecake Swirl, Butter Brittle, Salted Caramel Espresso, S’mores, Strawberry, and Superman.
Superman, for anyone outside the Midwest, is that wildly bright red, yellow, and blue flavor. It’s a childhood classic around here. Seeing it on a menu feels like a tiny time machine.
Now for the real showstopper. Funner Brothers Donut Company makes donut ice cream sandwiches using those giant donut holes. Of course they do.
Honestly, it’s the most logical use of an oversized donut hole I’ve ever heard of. The hole is big enough to hold its own against a scoop. A smaller version would simply surrender.
Colorful picnic tables outside give you a place to enjoy it all. Pair that with a warm Minnesota evening, and summer suddenly feels a lot longer. Just check the season before you go, since ice cream isn’t a year-round thing.
Cookies And Rolls Deserve A Spot In Your Box Too
Donuts get the spotlight, but the bakery case has a supporting cast worth meeting. Homemade cookies are a big part of the lineup.
The sugar cookies stand out in particular. They’re a nice pick for anyone who wants something sweet without a glaze dripping down their wrist. A caramel chocolate chip cookie has also earned fans at past events.
Then there are the rolls. Caramel nut rolls and cinnamon rolls sit on the menu alongside the donuts. They’re perfect for that person in your house who claims they’re not really a donut person.
Everyone knows somebody like that. Now you have a backup plan that still comes from the same great bakery. Nobody goes home empty-handed.
Cookies also travel well for parties, classrooms, and office treats. Pair a tray with a box of giant donut holes, and you’ve basically planned dessert for a crowd. Graduation parties, church gatherings, and work mornings all fit that bill.
I like that the shop doesn’t treat these extras as an afterthought. They come from the same scratch-baking mindset as the donuts. So next time, give the cookie shelf a second look before you pay.
Set Your Alarm, Because The Doors Close Before Lunch
Six in the morning is when the magic starts. On weekdays, the doors close at 11 AM, so this is strictly a breakfast mission.
Bakery hours run Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 11 AM. Saturday stretches to noon, and Sunday runs from 7 AM to noon. Mondays are closed, so don’t plan a start-of-the-week treat run.
Earlier is better here. Small scratch bakeries can sell out of favorites, and giant donut holes are clearly not a secret anymore. Showing up near closing time is a gamble.
Planning for a crowd? The shop handles orders for special events, so call ahead for big batches. That’s a smart move for birthdays, offices, or weekend brunches. Nobody wants to be the person who shows up to a party with an empty box.
The good news is that summer offers a second chance. Missed the morning? The evening ice cream hours can save the day on Thursday through Sunday.
I believe the short hours make each visit feel a little more special. It’s not a place you wander into at any time. You plan for it, and that makes the first bite even better.
A Strip-Mall Storefront Worth The Detour
Some of the best treats in the Twin Cities sit in the most ordinary places. This one lives in a simple strip mall in Golden Valley.
You’ll find Funner Brothers Donut Company at 2570 Hillsboro Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427. It sits in the northwest metro, an easy drive from much of Minneapolis. Plenty of nearby folks admit they drove past for years without stopping.
Don’t make that same mistake. The plain shopping center hides a bright, playful storefront inside. The owners have even mentioned hopes for future exterior upgrades.
Remember, there’s no indoor seating. Grab your box and head out, or use the colorful picnic tables when the weather cooperates. Minnesota summers are short, so enjoy them while they last.
The shop also serves Folly Coffee, a local roaster. A hot cup next to a tennis-ball-sized donut hole feels like the ideal Minnesota morning. It’s simple, cozy, and very hard to beat.
So add this stop to your next weekend plans. Bring the kids, bring a friend, or just bring a big appetite for sweets. Just don’t expect that donut hole to stay small. It never got the memo.
