National Donut Day: Toppings to Make Your Favorite Donuts Even More Exciting

Donuts are delicious all on their own, but can become delectable canvases to unleash some culinary creativity, if you will. Here are the best toppings to further enhance the gastronomic experience.

It seems fitting that the iconic donuts have a day dedicated to them. The rings of fried dough have won hearts and taste buds far and wide, and this global dessert has been adapted by different cultures all over the world. Since the base is essentially plain dough, there are a variety of toppings that one can use, taking the dessert in any direction one wishes. It can be as simple as a glaze or cinnamon powder, or as extravagant as chocolate sauce, chocolate bits and sprinkles. There’s a donut to please everyone and every kind of sweet craving. Here, we rank the best donut toppings.

1. Cinnamon Sugar

The warm and spicy cinnamon notes play alongside the sugar in this delectable donut, creating a fun contrast. It subtly teases the senses. The slight crunch of the sugar, the soft, moist dough, and the cinnamon that remind one of cozy autumn days all work together to transport you to restful, warm evenings. Pair the donut with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for all the feels.

2. Classic Glaze

Another subtle flavor profile is the glazed donut, the ultimate classic. The sugary goodness of the glaze sits comfortably with the dough’s natural flavor. It’s a simple, elegant choice, and has remained a favorite for many through generations. When we think of donuts in their earliest form, it's the glazed donut that comes to mind, and the long time it's stayed around is testament to its taste.

3. Chocolate

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Chocolate with anything is always a great combination—unless we are talking about something like a chocolate pizza or dosa; those are not for this writer. The fresh, warm dough of the donut and the decadent chocolate sauce waiting to be drizzled on top makes for a divine combination! There are, of course, degrees to the chocolate. The donut can also be half-dipped in chocolate sauceaand bits of chocolate can be shaved or sprinkled on top. To level up, there’s also sprinkles and chocolates like Cadbury Gems that can be used to garnish this classic dessert. There’s no limit to how much chocolate one can load onto and inside a donut, be it dark chocolate, milk chocolate or even white chocolate.

4. Maple Glaze

The maple glaze is reminiscent of cool, cozy autumn days and homemade pancakes. The sweetness of the maple and the earthiness of the dough make this a winning combination, reminding one of the outdoors, a packed picnic, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Moreover, it adds a layer of depth to the flavors in the donut, making for a sensory eating experience.

5. Fruits and More Fruits

There’s berries like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, which can be churned into a glaze and then layered on top of the donut, giving it a freshness, or they could also be chopped finely and placed on the donut with a cream cheese filling underneath. There’s also toppings of sliced fruit, everything from banana to mango and apple, adding some colourand a natural sweetness to the donut, creating a harmonious balance of warm dough and cool fruit.

6. Nuts

Nut toppings—from almonds and pistachios to pecans—are also an excellent way to go about dressing up your donut. The toasty, nutty flavors, combined with the donut’s sweetness make for a crunchy, textural experience. To up the game, the nuts can also be coated in chocolate, adding that extra punchto each bite.

7. Caramel

A caramel drizzle on a warm donut is like a sweet symphony playing on your taste buds, with itsharmonious blend of buttery richness and sugary warmth that melts into pure indulgence with every bite. The sticky golden sauce adds luxury added to any dessert. On donuts, whether drizzled or coated generously, caramel works as a dramatic contrast to the base and the amounts to rounded flavor notes in the mouth.

8. Sprinkles and Candies

To make donuts colorful and more appealing, one can also add rainbow sprinkles and an array of candies on top of the donut. Besides making the donuts seem like a fun treat and more exciting for children, they also add a festive vibe to any occasion.