DONuT

A donut, or doughnut, is a small fried dough pastry that is usually sweet and portable. Most donuts are shaped as a ring with a central hole, though many are filled with jam, custard, or cream. The term covers a range of pastries with similar preparation, including various dough types and toppings.

Donut dough is typically made from flour, sugar, eggs, and a fat such as oil or butter. It can be yeast-raised, which ferments to produce a light, airy crumb, or cake-style, which uses chemical leavening for a denser texture. After shaping, the dough is deep-fried in oil; some modern variants are baked or air-fried. Common toppings include glaze, icing, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or corn syrup, and filled donuts may use cream, custard, or fruit preserves.

The modern American donut has origins linked to the Dutch settlers’ olykoek in North America, later adapted in the 19th century. A popular attribution credits Captain Hanson Gregory with punching a hole in the center of the dough in 1847 to improve even cooking, a feature that helped popularize the ring shape. The spelling donut is a shortened form of doughnut that became common in the United States in the 20th century.

Donuts are widely sold in bakeries, grocery stores, and coffee shops, particularly in the United States and Canada, and have become part of popular culture through chains and seasonal flavors. Regional variants exist, with numerous flavors, fillings, and toppings offered worldwide, reflecting local tastes and culinary influences.