Sophia Sarou thinks of her grandmother whenever she smells warm doughnuts. She remembers her childhood in Massachusetts, where in the morning her grandmother would slip a doughnut into the toaster oven and then dip it in her coffee.

Nowadays Sarou, co-owner of Nathalie’s Donuts in Cedar Park, is surrounded by doughnuts daily. She and her family moved to Texas and opened Nathalie’s Donuts in 2010.


“The Boston area is really expensive, so [we said], ‘Let’s try out Texas,’” Sarou said. “I came up to visit, and I fell in love with Austin.”


The endeavor was a family effort. Her mother, Ponnavy Yen, is the other co-owner, and Sarou’s brother helped set up the shop. Her uncle, one of the founders of Donut Taco Palace in Austin, imparted recipe techniques. When it was time to pick a name, they chose Nathalie, Sarou’s then-2-year-old daughter.


The shop’s menu has expanded to include breakfast tacos with homemade salsa, breakfast croissants and kolaches since opening. In addition to typical doughnut offerings like glazed and cream-filled, Nathalie’s offers maple-glazed, Oreo and Fruity Pebble flavors. The shop also caters for special events.


Sarou said she is grateful for the support her family-owned shop receives from the community. The owners give back, too, providing discounts and sponsorships to local school groups.


Sarou said what makes her doughnuts different than those of doughnut chains is simple: “They’re made with love.”


Nathalie’s Donuts
1525 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. N, Cedar Park
512-851-0122
www.nathaliesdonuts.com
Hours: 5 a.m.-1 p.m. daily