A baker's job is a 24-seven dedication to craft. It's a piece in the puzzle of what makes donuts taste so good.

Starting the prep for the next day, bakers clock in to 217 E. Laurel St. at noon they day before to create, prep and shape the dough for thousands of donuts.

The baking process isn't done until one in the morning, when handmade donuts from scratch are delivered across Springfield.

Since 1932, Springfield has had their favorite donut shop. It's not the jelly fillings or the wide range of flavors that makes Mel-O-Cream Donuts a fan favorite; it's the decades of love they've invested in the county.

To celebrate National Donut Day on June 7, the State Journal-Register ran an online poll asking for people to vote for their favorite donut shop. In a landslide, Mel-O-Cream received 79 percent of the votes, or 339 total.

"Melo cream rules, always has," Facebook commenter Tim Roach said, while another commentor Debbie Landrith said on June 4 "Mel-O-Cream is #1 and always will be."

Amanda Crossland acquired the retail Mel-O-Cream donuts across the city in 2019 in part because of the brand's strong ties to the city. There may be larger franchises out there, but Mel-O-Cream has been there listening and learning what locals want, because it's run by locals.

“We always get the best of Springfield, and I appreciate it,” Crossland said. “But there's that history and that legacy, and grandparents are bringing in their grandkids. It’s really cool.”

Whether it's Doctor Doolittle Day at the Henson Robinson Zoo teaching kids about how animals live, or Animal Protective League fundraisers with dogs and donuts, Mel-O-Cream is there with sweet treats.

As the primark of sprinkles and jam filling, Crossland says the most sold sweets at stores tend to be the classic glazed rings, followed by the long johns, a rectangular pastry filled with cream and coated with usually a chocolate or butterscotch topping.

On any given Saturday, the Mel-O-Cream location at Laurel Street will produce six to seven hundred dozen donuts a day for all the stores to sell.

Crossland joined the Salvation Army on National Donut Day, which held a donut eating contest at the White Oaks Mall for Springfield police, fire and first responders. Mel-O-Cream provided the donuts.

"They had police officers, fire department and vets which was active duty and some mall employees," Crossland said. "The winner is on the Salvation Army page, but it was just for fun."

Any donuts that don't get sold or end up being downed by active duty are donated to extra hour school programs across district 186 and community nonprofit organization food donations.

With a rich history behind the brand, Crossland is still looking ahead. In 2022 under Crossland, the store at 4411 Yucan Drive opened and since then hours have extended at locations and in 2024, a handful of locations started offering sandwiches and espresso coffee.

The other stores are located at 525 North Grand Ave E., 217 E. Laurel St., 195 W. Monroe and 3010 S. Sixth St..

"The local brand love for it, it's something very unique to this area," Crossland said.