There are two arguments as old as time itself. The first: whether to spell the word for fried rings of dough as “doughnut, “donut” or “do-nut.” The second: which doughnut is the best in the U. S. of A.
As I am only a humble college student, I will not attempt to give a definitive answer to either of these existential questions – I will leave that to our great food philosophers.
For the purposes of this article, I will refer to these pastries as “doughnuts.” And instead of making the call on the best doughnut in America, I will hand you a list of doughnuts worthy of a cross-country road trip so you can decide for yourself.
<p>Sounds like a Reese’s cup in the form of a doughnut to me, and what more could a girl ask for? Learn more about Duck Donuts <a href="https://delaware.spoonuniversity.com/Live/see-duck-donuts-everything-donut-aspires/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>The crisp, sugary crust of a creme brûlée provides the perfect contrast to the soft fluffy doughnut. Read more about Astro Doughnuts and other doughnut shops in the DC area <a href="https://gw.spoonuniversity.com/Eat-Out/dc-doughnut-shops/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>An old classic among Nashville natives, Fox’s never disappoints and neither does the cinnamon glory of their apple fritter. Recreate the flavor with some artistic flair with these <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/how-to-make-apple-pie-roses/" target="_blank">apple pie roses. </a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com<span style="line-height:1.6">)</span></p>
<p>Houstonians live and die by Shipley’s, and the cherry iced is a perennial favorite. It is best enjoyed with a bottle of chocolate milk and one of Shipley’s sausage and cheese kolaches. Eating one of these is like <a href="https://georgetown.spoonuniversity.com/Live/treats-celebrate-cherry-blossom-festival/" target="_blank">celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival all year long</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of Maribel Lopez on flickr)</p>
<p>Voodoo Donuts has locations in the nation’s most hip cities, including Portland, Austin, and Denver. Other classics include the voodoo doll donut (particularly a voodoo doll Tom Brady at the Denver location). Read more about Voodoo Donuts <a href="https://texas.spoonuniversity.com/Eat-Out/voodoo-doughnut-casts-spell-austin/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>An homage to the ATL, the A-Town Mocha is this shop’s trademark and one of its bestsellers. For a slightly healthier sweet snack, try these <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/chocolate-mocha-protein-pancakes/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">chocolate mocha protein pancakes.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of Sublime Doughnuts)</p>
<p>For the more refined palates, I present the Blackberry Basil and Lime doughnut. From the tartness of the lime and blackberry to the spicy notes of the basil, this doughnut provides the perfect balance of flavors. If you’re not sold, buy one of these and one of <a href="https://bu.spoonuniversity.com/Eat-Out/time-ate-13-donuts-breakfast/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">their more mainstream flavors</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of Brittany Sweyer)</p>
<p>Peace, Love and Little Donuts has locations all over the country, and you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that they do after tasting this bad boy. If you find yourself craving strawberry shortcake later but can’t justify eating cake and doughnuts in the same day, try these <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/no-bake-cheesecake-stuffed-strawberries/" target="_blank">no-bake cheesecake stuffed strawberries</a> instead.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>What’s better than fresh strawberries and fresh doughnuts? Probably nothing. This <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">strawberry rhubarb crisp might be a close second</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>With a cult following from appearances at Lollapalooza, the Amish Baking Company proves that old school never goes out of style. If you feel inspired, start up your own doughnut stand and make this <a href="https://texas.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/krispy-kreme-doughnuts/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">recipe</a> your trademark.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Chocolate gets powered up in this immediate classic made of a chocolate cake doughnut covered in chocolate ganache and white and dark chocolate curls. The owner of Glazed and Infused recommends that you enjoy this doughnut with a glass of chocolate milk to complete the “Chocolate5.” If this wasn’t enough chocolate for you, check out <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/nutella-stuffed-doughnut-muffins/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">this doughnut recipe.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Described by Maryville, Tennessee residents as a “hometown hero,” Richy Kreme has been churning out these beauties for almost seventy years. They’re clearly on to something, and there are many who believe that <a href="https://fandm.spoonuniversity.com/Uncategorized/history-doughnut-means-future-cupcakes/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">doughnuts will be sticking around</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Bacon and maple syrup is perhaps among the most underrated of breakfast flavor combinations, and it’s only fitting that it become manifest in the most perfect of breakfast pastries. If this flavor combo speaks to you, impress a loved one with these <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/how-to-make-chocolate-dipped-maple-bacon-roses/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">maple bacon roses</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of flickr user Melly Kay)</p>
<p>Blue Star Donuts comes in with another fruit-and-herb flavor to add to the list, which makes me think there may be a new niche in the world for “adult” doughnuts. Recreate the flavor for your next cookout with<a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/blueberry-basil-sorbet/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="_blank"> this sorbet.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Beignets may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of doughnuts, but I’ll be darned if an American classic made of fried pastry doesn’t end up here. Fluffy and covered in snowy powdered sugar, it’s worth the pilgrimage to NOLA for these alone. If you want to fill the rest of your meal time there, check out <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Live/best-foods-to-eat-in-new-orleans/" target="_blank">this list.</a></p>
<p>(Photo by Sarah Yanofsky)</p>
<p>This Portuguese twist on the doughnut is the perfect treat to complement your vacation to Honolulu. What’s a beach body if you can’t eat doughnuts, anyway? Check out the rest of Honolulu’s amazing eats <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Live/the-50-best-things-to-eat-in-honolulu-before-you-die/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>An Asheville native, Vortex loves putting a spin on classics with their own local flair, and since they locally source all their ingredients, you can bet that this raspberry glaze is as fresh as they come. Check out this <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/baked-raspberry-challah-french-toast/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">baked raspberry challah french toast</a> if you need a raspberry fix to make at home.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Filled with spiced Mexican chocolate and topped with candied pecans, the Bombshell is for when you want to take a walk on the sexy side with your doughnut (a sentence I’m sure has never been written before). Glam Doll Donuts gets bonus points from me for their creative and catchy names such as “Pinup Girl” (their apple bourbon fritter) and “Misfit” (an orange, ginger and cinnamon infused glazed doughnut). Complement this doughnut with the <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/how-to-make-traditional-mexican-hot-chocolate/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">perfect Mexican hot chocolate.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>A big rope of cinnamon goodness, this twist puts even your mom’s best cinnamon buns to shame. Science says that <a href="https://georgetown.spoonuniversity.com/Live/secret-superpowers-cinnamon/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">cinnamon has health benefits</a>, which to me sounds like the perfect reason to eat about five of these twists in one sitting.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>If I ever have doubt in humanity, I can rest easy knowing that a food truck exists that serves both doughnuts and fried chicken (often together). Gordough’s is that food truck, and the Granny’s Pie is one of their masterpieces. With caramel, pecans, bananas, and graham cracker, it is as much a sundae as it is a doughnut. If you’re left with nostalgia for the banana cream pie your grandma used to make, <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/decadent-banana-cream-pie-for-the-college-budget/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">check out this recipe.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>A work of art so beautiful it cannot even be confined to a normal doughnut shape. Marketed as “the cinnamon bun’s ‘unrefined’ cousin,” the Cinnamon Glob is a Donut Stop original. If you want a little extra sophistication, check out <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/make-fluffiest-cinnamon-rolls-existence/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">these cinnamon rolls</a> and make some of your own.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>The doughnut gets a tropical upgrade with this glaze, and you’ll be left wondering when you can make your next getaway (or when you can get your hands on another one of these doughnuts). Hibiscus seems to be pretty on trend these days, popping up in everything from <a href="https://uchi.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/refreshing-hibiscus-iced-tea/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">iced teas</a> to rhubarb, and what better way to try it out that this doughnut?</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>With Fractured Prune’s create-your-own doughnut option, your visit is almost guaranteed to satisfy. Salted caramel, however, makes for the iconic balance of sugary and salty and can work in everything from doughnuts to <a href="https://nu.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/diy-salted-caramel-mocha/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">mochas</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>A Los Angeles classic, Randy’s makes for an iconic stop in your cross-country doughnut expedition. What better way to experience an icon than with a classic glazed doughnut, especially when Randy’s does it so well? Check out other L.A. classics <a href="https://usc.spoonuniversity.com/Eat-Out/satisfying-sweet-tooth-beverly-boulevard/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
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<p>There can never be too many maple bacon doughnuts in this world, and Holtman’s makes a glorious contribution to the sweet and savory culinary canon. If the offerings of the doughnut world are not enough to satisfy your bacon cravings, check out these <a href="https://nu.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/bacon-chocolate-chip-cookies/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">bacon chocolate chip cookies.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Filled doughnuts changed the game of frying pastries, and the Boston Creme is among the classics. Frosted in chocolate and filled with a sweet custard, it covers almost every sweet flavor profile you could want. If you leave wanting more of the sweet dessert, go for the classic Boston Creme pie or <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/boston-cream-pie-cupcakes/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">these cupcakes.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>I have no idea what buttermilk tastes like by itself, but if it is at all responsible for making this doughnut taste as good as it does, I’d like to buy it by the gallon. If you’re like me and have no idea where to buy such a magnificent yet mysterious substance, take a shot at <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/2-ingredient-homemade-buttermilk/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">making your own.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Combing the tartness of berries with sweet cannoli cream….can I get a “hell yeah?” A Maine native, The Holy Donut is popular among gluten lovers and gluten-free fans alike since some of their doughnuts are made with potato flour instead of wheat. For other gluten free options, substitute rice flour for wheat flour or use almond butter like in <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Cook/gluten-free-almond-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies-2/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">these chocolate chip cookies.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>I have it on good authority that Stan’s is one of the best doughnut shops in Chicago, and it comes as no surprise that their heavy hitter is their Nutella Pocket. If there’s a culinary problem that cannot be solved by Nutella, it is a truly big problem. You put it on toast, you can <a href="https://uiuc.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/nutella-cake-mug/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">make cake out of it in your microwave,</a> and you can eat it straight out of a jar with a spoon: of course it’s going to upgrade any excellent doughnut to the next level.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<div id="attachment_4658" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><p class="wp-caption-text">Photo courtesy of yelp.com</p><p class="wp-caption-text"><br/></p></div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Dom’s seems to occupy a unique part of the Michigan experience, and their glazed cake doughnuts stand out in the crowd for their sweet, dense goodness. Their blueberry cake is particularly excellent, but if you can’t make it out to Ann Arbor and still have a craving for blueberries, try ’em in a crisp like<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://uoregon.spoonuniversity.com/Uncategorized/blueberry-crisp/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank">this</a>.</p>
<p>Yet another doughnut for your refined palates, this cardamom apricot doughnut hits some similar notes as a cinnamon-apple treat but with flavors that are far more likely to impress your mom’s friends at the country club. Cardamom is an underrated spice often used in Indian cuisine. If you’re not brave enough to try it as a full dish, sample its flavor potential in this doughnut or even by <a href="https://nu.spoonuniversity.com/Live/6-ways-spice-hot-chocolate/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">upgrading your hot chocolate with</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>This doughnut wins on texture contrast alone: nothing like a sharp crunch to compliment the sweet fluffiness of yeasty doughnuts. Coated in toasted coconut and billed as “coconut taste without the coconut texture,” it’s sure to convert even the most adamant coconut-hater. Check out <a href="https://nu.spoonuniversity.com/Cook/coconut-macaroons/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">these macaroons</a> for more coconut goodness.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>This apple fritter is as big as yo’ face, and it nearly qualifies as a meal by itself. If you aren’t satisfied with one doughnut from this bakery, their caramel-filled buttermilk bar offers another take on the classic doughnut that’s sure to impress. Fritters are made with chopped apples, after all, so you’re basically eating a well-balanced breakfast. If you want more apple in your life, make these <a href="https://fandm.spoonuniversity.com/Uncategorized/apple-pie-crescent-bites/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">crescent bites</a>.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Only available during the Milwaukee Brewers’ season, these sandwiches are a hot commodity and worth snapping up if you ever find yourself in Wisconsin at the right time. They’re filled with frozen custard and a variety of toppings, making them the perfect treat at a professional baseball game. For more on what to eat when you’re out to a ballgame, <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Live/the-best-food-at-every-mlb-ballpark-across-america/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">check out this bucket list of ballpark eats.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of Instagram user @holeymoleydoughnuts)</p>
<p>Ah, yes. Cinnamon sugar. The simple yet elegant flavor combination gifted to us by the heavens. Top Pot renders this flavor in an old-school manner with their old-fashioned doughnut, and it is truly immaculate in execution. A Seattle original, Top Pot prides itself on fusing the old with the new and stands tall as a culinary landmark of the city. If you find yourself in Seattle, check out <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Live/21-foods-every-seattle-native-misses-theyre-washington/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">these other amazing foods to fill your plate.</a></p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>Don’t let their sophisticated flavors fool you: Federal Dounuts is all about fun, as you’ll see from their website, which takes you to a theatrical introduction before showing you their pastry offerings. Philly natives love the place and speak volumes of it whenever they have to be apart from it for too long. Just looking at this fluffy beauty, it’s not hard to see why. Bonus: <a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/Live/how-to-use-lavender-to-cure-all-your-problems/" target="_blank">lavender has de-stress benefits</a>, so you’re basically doing your body good by eating this doughnut.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<p>From their delightfully inappropriate logo to their delicious doughnut flavors, O Face Doughnuts makes me want to book a flight to Las Vegas right now for a visit. El Guapo, a Mexican chocolate doughnut filled with horchata pudding, is one of their most popular flavors. Horchata, for the novices among you, is a drink or flavor made with rice, cinnamon, and sometimes vanilla, and it can be used in everything from french toast to <a href="https://nu.spoonuniversity.com/drink/homemade-rumchata-recipe-need-life/?utm_source=usa-today-college&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=content-partnerships%E2%80%9D%20target=_%E2%80%9Dblank" target="_blank">cocktails</a>. It’s a flavor train we should all be boarding.</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of yelp.com)</p>
<div class="_smg-image-wrap" data-orientation="portrait" data-imgaspectratio="1.3" data-imgcaption='<p>Two carbo-loaded delights in one? Sign me up. Voted one of the 10 best places to get a doughnut by USA Today, Bill’s is a 24-hour doughnut shop that has been cornering the doughnut market in Centerville, Ohio since 1960. Their pretzel doughnuts are their signature, and if they’ve been in business for more than fifty years I’ve got to guess they’re doing something right. If pretzels are your dream, check out more ways to eat them <a href="https://hamilton.spoonuniv