Donuts, often spelled doughnuts, are iconic pastries loved across the globe for their variety, flavor, and indulgent sweetness. Whether glazed, filled with cream, topped with sprinkles, or enjoyed with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, donuts hold a special place in the hearts of many. From morning coffee companions to sweet snacks throughout the day, donuts are a treat that transcends cultures, bringing comfort and joy to millions.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of donuts, their different types, key ingredients, how they are made, and their cultural significance in modern times.
The History of Donuts
The origins of the donut are somewhat murky, but historians agree that donuts have been around for centuries, evolving from early fried dough recipes. While donuts as we know them today are mostly associated with American culture, their roots trace back to various cultures that have been making fried dough for millennia.
Early Donut History
The concept of frying dough goes back to ancient times, with cultures across the world making versions of fried dough. In ancient Rome, for example, there are records of honey-fried pastries, and similar deep-fried dough treats were made in parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. However, these early versions of fried dough were not yet the donuts we recognize today.
The modern donut’s birth, as it’s known today, can be attributed to Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (modern-day New York) in the 17th century. They brought with them a pastry known as “olykoeks” (meaning “oily cake”), which were deep-fried cakes often shaped into rings, though not necessarily with holes. These early Dutch donuts were simple and not sweetened with the glazes and toppings we commonly associate with modern donuts.
The Donut Hole
The creation of the donut hole—the distinct hole in the center of donuts—is often credited to Hanson Gregory, a 19th-century American ship captain. Gregory, frustrated by the undercooked centers of traditional fried donuts, reportedly punched a hole in the middle of the dough before frying them, allowing the entire donut to cook more evenly. This innovation also made the donut easier to handle and eat. The donut hole became an essential part of donut design, creating the perfect balance between crispy edges and a thoroughly cooked interior.
Types of Donuts
Today, donuts come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, with numerous variations adapted to regional tastes and preferences. Here are some of the most popular types of donuts:
1. Yeast Donuts (Raised Donuts)
Yeast donuts are light and fluffy, thanks to the yeast that leavens the dough. They are typically fried to a golden crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. They come in many varieties, often glazed with sugary coatings or topped with sprinkles, and are popular for their airy texture. Classic yeast donuts include:
- Glazed Donut: A simple, sweet donut coated in a shiny, sugary glaze. This is the most common type of donut, loved for its delicate sweetness.
- Jelly-Filled Donut: A yeast donut filled with fruit preserves, jelly, or custard. Sometimes dusted with powdered sugar, jelly-filled donuts offer a burst of flavor inside a light and fluffy exterior.
2. Cake Donuts
Cake donuts are denser and crumbly compared to their yeast counterparts. Made with baking powder or baking soda rather than yeast, cake donuts are typically fried or baked and are often coated in sugar or glazed. Popular flavors include:
- Chocolate Cake Donut: A cake donut flavored with cocoa powder and often topped with chocolate glaze or sprinkles.
- Old-Fashioned Donut: A cake donut that’s slightly crisp on the outside, often with cracks and ridges. It’s usually flavored with nutmeg or cinnamon and coated in a simple glaze or powdered sugar.
3. Long Johns (Eclair Donuts)
Long Johns are shaped like bars and are made from a dough that’s similar to yeast donuts but are elongated, resembling eclairs. These are typically filled with custard or cream and glazed with a layer of chocolate or maple icing.
4. Cronuts
A relatively recent innovation, cronuts are a hybrid between croissants and donuts. Invented by French pastry chef Dominique Ansel in New York in 2013, cronuts are flaky, buttery pastries that are fried like donuts and often filled with cream or jam. They are then coated with a glaze or sugar.
5. Filled Donuts
Filled donuts can be either yeast or cake donuts, but they are distinguished by their rich, flavorful fillings. Common fillings include:
- Custard
- Chocolate
- Raspberry Jam
- Lemon Curd
- Cream Cheese
Filled donuts are often glazed or dusted with powdered sugar to give them an extra touch of sweetness.
6. Fried Donuts vs. Baked Donuts
While most donuts are deep-fried, baked donuts have gained popularity in recent years due to their slightly healthier profile. Baked donuts are made in special donut pans and often have a lighter texture than fried donuts. They can be glazed or frosted and come in a variety of flavors.
Key Ingredients in Donuts
Though donut recipes vary widely, the core ingredients for making donuts are quite simple. These basic components form the foundation of most donut recipes:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the most common choice for making donuts. It provides structure to the dough and creates the base of the donut.
- Sugar: Sugar is the key ingredient for sweetness. It also helps in browning the donuts when they are fried or baked.
- Butter or Oil: Butter or oil is used in the dough to provide richness and tenderness. It also contributes to the crispy texture on the outside.
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure, moisture, and a rich flavor to the donut dough.
- Milk or Buttermilk: Liquid ingredients like milk or buttermilk are used to help hydrate the dry ingredients and make the dough soft and pliable.
- Leavening Agents: Donuts may use yeast, baking powder, or baking soda as leavening agents to make them rise. Yeast is typically used in yeast donuts, while baking powder or baking soda is used in cake donuts.
- Flavorings and Additives: Vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa powder are common flavorings used to give donuts their distinctive taste. For filled donuts, jam, custard, or chocolate are common choices.
- Glazes and Toppings: Donuts can be topped with various glazes, frostings, or sprinkles, such as a simple glaze, chocolate frosting, maple icing, or powdered sugar.
Making Donuts at Home
Making donuts at home can be a fun and rewarding process. Whether you prefer the light, airy texture of yeast donuts or the dense, rich flavor of cake donuts, the basic steps are fairly simple.
A Basic Yeast Donut Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with eggs, butter, flour, and salt. Stir until the dough begins to come together, then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the donuts: Punch down the dough and roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter to cut out donut shapes or use two round cutters to make a hole in the center.
- Fry the donuts: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches for about 1 minute per side, or until golden brown.
- Glaze or decorate: After frying, let the donuts cool slightly, then dip them in glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Donuts and Coffee Culture
Donuts are often paired with coffee, forming an inseparable part of morning routines and a key component of café culture. This combination became especially popular in the United States during the mid-20th century when donut shops began to proliferate, often serving cheap coffee alongside freshly made donuts. Iconic donut chains like Dunkin’ Donuts (founded in 1950) and Krispy Kreme (founded in 1937) helped cement the association between donuts and coffee, making it a classic combo in American culture.
In addition to cafes, donut shops, both big and small, have become a staple in many communities, offering customers a place to gather, chat, and enjoy a sweet treat with their morning coffee.
Donuts Around the World
While donuts are deeply rooted in American culture, variations of this pastry exist in many