If you love Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu for its specialty creamy custard-filled malasadas as we do, you’re in for some bad news. Leonard’s just announced that “The boiler we use to make our creamy custard fillings is currently broken which means we are temporarily unable to serve our Malasada Puffs.
Story of Leonard’s malasadas.
These are amazing Portuguese doughnuts that were first introduced in Hawaii by plantation workers in the late 1800s. They are believed to have come from the Azores and Madeira islands. They have become an intrinsic part of Hawaii’s culture a sought-after treat year-round. Differentiating malasadas is their egg-rich dough, which is by tradition first fried and then coated with sugar. The modern interpretation has added creamy custard fillings, among other things.
The inimitable Leonard’s Bakery has been in business since 1952 and is considered quintessential Hawaii. It’s worth stopping by, even if they don’t have the custard-filled doughnuts, or if you don’t like doughnuts at all. It’s an institution in Honolulu.
Leonard’s was founded by the grandson of plantation immigrants who arrived on Maui in 1882. It is to this day run by Leonard Jr.’s children. You’ll find them at 933 Kapahulu Avenue; just look for the crowd. You can also find them at other locations. Do add Leonard’s to your things to do in Honolulu list.
Did you know about Malasada Day?
Yes, there’s an annual holiday called Malasada Tuesday. It’s the same Shrove Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday) that’s also known as Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras. On that day you will want to arrive at Leonard’s very early since there will be lines around the block.
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My dear mother-in-law (may she rest in peace), taught me how to make malasadas (her parents were from the Azores). I never thought about putting custard in them though. Here’s hoping that Leonard’s is back up and running soon.
I would never visit the islands without a stop at Leonard’s. May their recovery be strong.
Thank you for the malasada report. Do you know if all the Leonard’s locations are not able to make the custard malasadas? Appreciate your reply, Lori
Hi Lori.
That’s correct.
Aloha.
Love malasadas. No need to wait for custard filling, without filling they are Wonderful!!!!
I absolutely love Malasadas ❤️
What about the truck wagons in pearlridge n kapolei is that one closed too?
fortunately the word is, temporarily.
I know malasadas are unhealthy, but day one on my yearly waikiki visit I do two things; take bus to Kapahulu and buy One malasada each for hubby and myself and explore Kaimuki for hour or two, then go to W & M for my annual hamburger! Don’t eat meat (or donuts) at home, but love my once a year treat in local neighborhoods of Honolulu!
This type of food is so bad for you. If you are health conscious like me, you would be wise to steer clear of this kind of stuff which obviously promotes, diabetes, obesity and sugar addiction. I’m at a loss for words why anyone would promote consuming these types of foods.
David, we like the Malasadas. Do I have them a lot? No, not very often. If you don’t like them for whatever reason, fine. But please don’t preach. I know it’s not the healthiest choice, but once in a while, I do enjoy the extreme pleasure of sinking my teeth into a warm from the oven, sugar-dusted bit of paradise. My first Malasada was at Leonards, and I’ve yet to find it’s equal. Yum!
David,
For some of us, we make poor food decisions – occasionally.
For others, it’s smoking.
For some, it’s booze or illegal drugs.
Some folks think speeding is safe.
Many put their lives on the line defending the country.
I don’t know a single person who does not engage in risky behavior some of the time. Give us a break.
Parts will take 3-4 weeks to arrive??? Oh my gosh isn’t it money ahead to fly someone to get them?
This is truly nearly life-shattering news!!! Life is not well-lived on Oahu without regular visits to Leonard’s for Malasadas. But there is a Plan B. Oahu residents and guests can simply take an inter-island flight to Maui, and find delicious Malasadas at the Sugar Beach Bakery in North Kihei. The driver for Kihei Rent-a-car who delivered me to the airport yesterday said they are the best.
I think malasada shops would be a great addition in the airports. Let’s face it, the food courts in all the airports are pretty bad.
Agree and that convenience will serve well those last minute decisions or not enough time picking up malasadas before leaving to the airport. Good idea hope it happens soon.
You may want to correct misspelling of “Madeira” Island in your article. See first paragraph under heading “Story of Leonard’s malasadas”. Just a thought…
Hi Mary Rose.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Our favorite malasadas, bar none, were from Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop in Kailua. Rarely did a whole steaming fresh dozen, phoned ahead and cooked to order, make it home two miles away. My guess is Leonard’s started adding custard filling because they didn’t put enough egg in the batter….but Agnes’ didn’t need it. Now the same great malasadas are produced in a food truck and ranked five-star by more than 80 online reviewers.
OMG, Nobody knows how to make Custard in bulk without a Machine?
Hi Deb.
Lol. We had the same thought. Although their quantities are probably very large.
Aloha.
Leonards is our go day two after arriving in HNL. All malasadas are fabulous!
Aloha, my wife and I live in Ohio. Our first visit to the island, back in 1990 was the start of many visits to the Islands. We found Leonards on our second visit and have enjoyed malasadas ever since, wherever we can find them. Leonards makes the best and we have introduced them to our children and grandchildren. So many things have changed since then, we hope Leonards survives and continue to bring joy to us mainlanders. Mahalo.
Leonard’s makes the best, Hot Cross Buns.
Expansion by Leonard’s Wagon. Better than a brick & mortar
My husband’s family are descendents of Azorean Portuguese who settled in California. They also brought with them their Azorean traditions and Festas. In California malsadas are called Feloze. They are rolled in granulated sugar and served warm. A big fundraiser at the Festas!
We are headed to Maui next month and hope to “ score” some malsadas when we are there.
Donut Dynamite on Lower Main in Wailuku has great malasadas. I like lilikoi filled.
Sugar Beach Bakery in North Kihei.
I place Malasada in the overhyped things you must do, see or eat why’ll on Hawaii.
Been coming to Hawaii since 1973 last May was the first time I eat a Leonard’s Malasada or any Malasada. It’s a creamed filled donut…What am I missing?
You are missing the delight that comes from savoring something that you can only find in Hawaii. You are missing little ceremonies, yes eating a malasada can be classified as a cultural ceremony. Ceremonies in all cultures of the world help to define people’s place in the world, bring people together as communities, and bind families. Not to mention memories. You are missing the memories that can be created with friends, families, grandchildren via a stop off at leonard’s. One of my most vivid memories of childhood is beging trusted by my mother to enter the Montrose Bakery and request “one loaf of white bread sliced, please”.
I get it no different then coming to California and eating at IN N OUT Burger.
Finally, after 55 years of coming to Hawaii, I had my first Malasada Puffs. OMG.
I will be following the repair and hope they ship!
Leonard’s isn’t that great unless you eat them within the first 17 minutes after they are made. After that, they are just gut bombs!
Hi Andy.
That seems true of all doughnuts.
Aloha.
Hi Andy,
This was my first time having them and I didn’t even get them to eat until the next morning. It’s hard to imagine them being any better within that 17-minute window.
But, on our next visit to Hawaii, I’ll try that.
😭
Kudos for using the phrase ‘epic malasada failure’
I prefer Tex’s in Honoka’a…