Doughnut Defined
Doughnuts are usually deep-fried from a flour dough, and typically either ring-shaped or without a hole, and often filled. Other types of batters can also be used, and various toppings and flavorings are used for different types, such as sugar, chocolate, or maple glazing. In addition to flour, doughnuts may also include such ingredients as water, leavening, eggs, milk, sugar, oil/shortening, natural flavors and/or artificial flavors. The two most common types are the ring doughnut and the filled doughnut—which is injected with fruit preserves, cream, custard, or other sweet fillings. A small spherical piece of dough may be cooked as a doughnut hole. Once doughnuts have been fried, they may be glazed with a sugar icing, spread with icing or chocolate, or topped with powdered sugar or sprinkles or fruit.
This supplication is usually how doughnuts are described, but they have been described as more. Doughnuts are both blue collar, and white collar, they are at gas stations, and on restaurant menus. They are at home in the boardroom and they are at home at the bowling alley. They appeal to all ages and across genders.
Doughnuts belong being mentioned like most iconic foods such as pancakes, ice cream, pies, and cakes, sharing with them a very long and rich global and national history. You can find doughnuts almost anywhere. From upscale bakeries to your local grocery store. Prices vary, but most are still priced on a beer budget- a domestic beer at that.
Doughnuts have produced numerous cookbooks explaining how to make a specific style. Doughnuts show up from kids’ books to novels, to television shows and inside of, to titles of movies. Doughnuts are comforting, and usually, bring good memories and times of happiness.
The history and origin of the doughnut in America will be explored from a Dutch and German influence, to how the doughnut was brought to prominence in America following World War I. Along the way, aspects of American history will be explored and the very essence of why the doughnut is such an iconic member of the American food industry.
