EASTON, Pa. — The new Doughpamine by Cake & Corolla knows the value of an indulgent cinnamon roll.
It can set you up for a great day, make up for a bad one, or simply satisfy a sweet tooth — but the end result is pure happiness.
It’s exactly why Doughpamine, 118 Northampton St., puts so much work into perfecting the classic pastry.
Owner and operator Ryan Mason said the idea for the specialty bakery comes from his time at Cake & Corolla, where those delectable rolls were sold for about six years.
“It was a proven concept,” Mason said.
"We have both sweet and savory flavors, and we try to rotate through them as best as possible."
Doughpamine owner and operator Ryan Mason
“So I have fun with them: I figured, why not run with it and create our own lane downtown here, where there’s many other bakeries? We kind of just created our own spot.”
According to Mason, while Cake & Corolla was his baby to start, eventually he wanted to do something a bit simpler, where he could experiment and have fun with food.
“We have over 22 different flavors," Mason said. "It's all just to have fun with food and see what mixes well together.
"We have a blueberry speculoos roll, which is delicious, it's a fan favorite. But then we have crazy rolls, like our loaded sweet potato with roasted sweet potatoes, pecans and marshmallows topped with toasted marshmallows.
"We have both sweet and savory flavors, and we try to rotate through them as best as possible."
Yes, that’s right, savory rolls: Their breakfast roll features scrambled eggs and bacon stuffed inside, wrapped in cheese and topped with a bit of sour cream.
They even have a seasonal roll specifically for Easton's annual BaconFest celebration that features a maple bacon topping.
'The words you needed to hear'
As for the establishment's name — a homonym for the main chemical of pleasure?
Mason said he has dealt with depression in the past and recognizes the little things that can improve a day.
That includes a tasty cinnamon roll with an affirmation sticker stating, “You are: enough, kind, amazing, important, strong, special, worthy, resilient. Brave” and other inspiring sayings.
"People enjoy it. It causes happiness, and then the affirmations are just to be like, ‘I know what it's like to be down, but we see you, we appreciate your support."
Doughpamine owner and operator Ryan Mason
"People enjoy it," Mason said. "It causes happiness, and then the affirmations are just to be like, ‘I know what it's like to be down, but we see you, we appreciate your support."
“Because when I do a product like this, a part of me goes with it. So you really want people to appreciate it, because it's a part of yourself.
"The affirmations are just kind of like a thing to be like, ‘We see you, we hear you.’ It could be the best part of your day, seeing that affirmation.
"Or you had a bad day at work, and you come for a pick me up, and you grab a roll, like it could just be the words you needed to hear for the day.”
Mason said he tapped Houseplanted, a nearby small business, with which to partner to spruce up Doughpamine.
It’s a community-building effort that makes Easton what it is, and offers other small businesses some support, he said.
“We like to partner with people before they open their business to kind of give them a bigger audience, because a small business is difficult," Mason said.
"So we like to reach out and provide a platform to get people exposure."
Cozy atmosphere, myriad options
The concept appears to be working, as Mason said Doughpamine is seeing rushes more often, just a month after opening.
People enjoy the cozy atmosphere, the cute art and plants — it’s a perfect spot to take a break, treat yourself, and enjoy life, he said.
Oh, and if you get a chance, ask if Eloise is around. The perky pup is a cinnamon roll fanatic, benevolently offering to lick every bit of frosting off your hand if you need her help.
And if you happen to stop by and are paralyzed by myriad options? Mason has you covered.
“I'd say signatures is a good one to start at," he said. "That's a good base, that way you kind of get the gist of our product.
"But I love the cake batter one. That one's really good. I'm a sweet tooth kind of person, obviously. So that has our cake batter inside with our cream cheese topping and a couple sprinkles.
"And that one's probably the late-night snack, for sure.”