Malasadas came to Hawaii with Portuguese sugar plantation workers in the late 1800s and were an instant hit. Today, lines form before dawn at legendary shops like Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, where these sugar-dusted, eggy doughnuts sell by the dozen.
What makes it great is the contrast of a crackly, sugar-crusted exterior and an airy, custard-soft interior. Eaten warm, they are pure happiness, no filling, no glaze, just perfect fried dough.

