Image courtesy of Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
 
The beloved cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Washington, D.C. in mid-March, with a peak bloom period happening in early April. Every year, the nation’s capital celebrates these special trees and their flowers that were given to America in 1912 by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, Japan.

With the National Cherry Blossom Festival underway and lasting until April 15, D.C.’s foodservice establishments, including several bakeries, are celebrating in their own unique ways with special cherry blossom-themed treats.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken announced the return of its popular Cherry Blossom Doughnut at all three of its locations. The shop has a location in Washington, D.C., as well as locations in Falls Church, Virginia and Los Angeles, California.

Famous D.C. cupcakery Georgetown Cupcake offers a Cherry Blossom flavor during March. The special flavor features a Classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake baked with cherries, topped with a cherry-infused cream cheese frosting and a fondant cherry blossom.

Another top D.C. bakery, Baked and Wired, also sells a special Cherry Blossom Cupcake. Its gluten-free version includes maraschino cherries and is topped with a maraschino cherry buttercream.

Milk Bar has two locations in D.C., both of which will be serving a Cherry Blossom cookie. This product is baked with cherries, milk crumbs, rose extract, and dried cherries and cranberries.