Wauwatosa Doughnut Shop Creates Edible 'Tide Pod' Doughnuts

WAUWATOSA, WI — Despite large amounts of sugar, frosting and empty calories, a Wauwatosa bakery has come up with a way to safely partake in the "Tide Pod Challenge."

Cranky Al's of Wauwatosa came up with the design for a raspberry-filled raised doughnut that's covered in vanilla frosting. Unlike the real "Tide Pods," these lookalikes are meant to be eaten.

The doughnuts were inspired by the "Tide Pod challenge," an online phenomenon that began earlier this month after youth were recorded eating the bite-sized concentrated detergent packets.According to the American Association of Poison Control Center, at least 10 deaths have been attributed to the real "Tide Pods," which contain numerous chemicals that are harmful to the human body.

Tide is discontinuing "Tide Pods" on Feb. 1, so Cranky Al's is also discontinuing the "Tide Pod Doughnuts" on that date as well.

Facebook and YouTube are now removing Tide Pod challenge videos online, and Tide is attempting some damage control. "Exhibit A" is shown below:

Susie Brkich and her husband Al started the local doughnut shop in 2006, starting as a homegrown coffee and doughnut shop. Known for their cruellers, Hoytie Toyties and sprinkly dinklies, their menu has expanded to feature a full line of homemade pizza.

As the "Tide Pod" doughnut craze dies down (they're routinely out of stock of this variety for some reason), the bakery is getting ready for Fat Tuesday and their linup of seven different kinds of Paczkis, King Cakes and Giant Doughnut King Cakes.

And if you get your hands on one of their famous "Tide Pod Doughnuts," please, don't use it to do your laundry.

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