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If you love to start your day with a sweet treat, donuts are an excellent option. These pastries are served in a variety of ways, including topped with a glaze, filled with fruit jelly, and covered in frosting. While many people know how sweet and satisfying they can be, you may not know much about their origin. Below is an overview of the history of donuts.

How Did They Begin?

While the exact origins are unknown, many countries and cultures have a history of frying dough. However, bakery donuts are likely relatives of Dutch olykoeks. These treats consisted of cake batter balls that were fried in pork fat until golden brown. Since the centers of the balls cooked slower than the outsides, the Dutch stuffed them with nuts, fruits, and other filings. This pushed the dough toward the outside and helped the pastries cook evenly. During the 19th century, Dutch immigrants to the U.S. brought olykoeks with them, introducing these treats to Americans.

donuts

The first person to give shape to the modern donut was Hansen Gregory. In 1847, he punched a hole in the dough to increase its surface area, which helped it fry evenly without a filling. In 1920, Adolph Levitt, a Russian Immigrant, invented an automated machine that formed and dropped rings of dough into a vat of oil, turned them, and pushed them out when done. He debuted this invention at the 1934 World's Fair in Chicago, which caused these fried treats to become an instant hit.

Similarly to the origin of the food, the term "donut" is also disputed. Some historians claim it's a portmanteau of the words "dough" and "nut," the latter referring to nut fillings used by the Dutch. Others claim it's a combination of the words "dough" and "knot," since the Dutch sometimes formed the dough into knots before frying it. The first recorded instance of the word "doughnut" appeared in Washington Irving's "A History of New York," in 1809. By the 1900s, this had shortened to "donut."

How Do People Enjoy Them Today?

Throughout the 20th century, bakery donuts evolved to include many fillings and toppings. Some bakeries use different flavors of cake batter to create chocolate, red velvet, and even carrot cake varieties. Others bake fruits and nuts into the dough or stuff the center with jelly or Bavarian cream. Aside from fillings, flavored frosting and sprinkle toppings are also popular. Some bakeries are especially creative, adding maple glaze and bacon crumbles to the pastries for a delectably sweet and salty flavor.

 

When you're in the mood for delicious donuts, head to Emerson's Bakery in Florence, KY. They offer donuts made from scratch along with freshly-baked cakes and cookies. They have five locations throughout the Tri-State area, so you can always find a delicious treat. Call (859) 371-9228 to ask about pastry flavors and toppings. Visit the website to learn more about their baked goods.

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