A Sweet Start to the Day with Doughnuts

Celebrating doughnuts today

The first Friday in June is celebrated as the National Doughnut Day, so celebrating this sweet treat is a big part of this day. Doughnuts have been around for centuries and have developed and evolved in both shape and flavor over the years.

Doughnuts were originally native to some countries in Europe, and in the 15^th century, Germany, England and the Netherlands loved the creation of doughnuts, where many flavors were created and tested – even savory styles were popular at this time! Some people say that the doughnut was in fact invented by the Dutch, and in 1847, a Dutch sailor Captain Hanson Gregory was sent to sea with doughnuts made by his mother!

Did you Know?

• Doughnuts gained the most popularity during the First World War when women would bake and send doughnuts to the soldiers on the front line in France.
• In 1934, dunking your doughnuts became popular because Clark Gable did it in the film “It Happened One Night”. Due to this, Dunkin’ Donuts opened in 1950.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts opened in 1937.
• To celebrate the release of the Simpsons Movie, one HUGE doughnut was made out of 90,000 regular sized doughnuts. 30kg sugar sprinkles and half a tonne of pink icing was also used.
• The most fattening (and therefore unfortunately the most delicious) doughnut in the world is the Voodoo Doughnut from Portland Oregon. It is maple glazed and topped in bacon!

Types of Doughnuts

Overall, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of doughnut varieties in the world. They can be fried or baked, and each country tends to have their own unique way of producing their version of a classic doughnut. Cinnamon and chocolate topped doughnuts are most popular in Australia, and Denmark doughnuts are made without the whole, covered in sugar and jam is served as a side order!

Unlike traditional doughnut recipes, new variants on the classic creation s have been developed over the years. These include treats such as doughnut balls and beignets. Ideal for desserts, doughnut balls are fried and can be dipped in sugar or syrup and are best served hot with a crispy coating of sugar. A beignet, also known as a ‘fritter’ in England, is deep fried pastry often with fruity fillings. Savory versions are also popular with those that don’t have much of a sweet tooth!

Easy Peasy Doughnut Recipe:

• 1 can (7.5 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted +
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Create a hole in the middle of the biscuit and used your hands to stretch the biscuits out.
3. Dip into honey until all sides are covered then dip in cinnamon. Repeat with each biscuit. Bake in the oven for 11 minutes. They taste great when served warm, but do allow them to cool a little once you have baked them!

Find more recipes for doughnuts on Recipebridge.