(Gerry Furth-Sides).  Even the staunchest “non-sugar eater” has a favorite donut and even a donut story.   Other than being way too close to Randy’s Donuts these days, we had our fill of my mom’s phenomenal deep-fried Doughnuts until she read early on that they were unhealthy, and that was the end of that, other than hot-from-the-oven jelly doughnuts on ski trips.   And my cousin and I could put away between a half dozen and a whole of Hungarian (jelly) donuts called, “fánk”.  That may be because they are known to be extremely light; fánk are made with yeast in a flour, butter, egg yolk, rum, salt and milk  dough that is allowed to rise for about a half hour before being fried in oil.  The thick Hungarian jam is called lekvár.   However, once while back on a college break, I could not even finish one.

Doughnuts are pretty straightforward, officially defined as, “a type of fried dough confection or dessert sweet.”  The doughnut are popular in many countries, whether homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franchised specialty vendors.

Doughnuts are usually deep fried from a flour dough, and typically either ring-shaped or a number of shapes without a hole, and often filled, but can also be ball-shaped (“doughnut holes”). 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. Doughnuts may also include water, leavening, eggs, milk, sugar, oil, shortening, and natural 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. Alternatively, small pieces of dough are sometimes cooked as doughnut holes, now one of the most popular forms of this confection and especially for the calorie-conscious.   After doughnuts are fried, they are often glazed with a sugar icing, spread with icing or chocolate on top, or topped with powdered sugar or sprinkles or fruit. Rings, balls, flattened spheres, twists have become other popular forms. Doughnut varieties are also divided into cake, including the classic old-fashioned, yeast-risen type doughnuts. Doughnuts are often paired with coffee, especially at breakfast time, or milk.

For limited time specials at national bakers:

• Cumberland Farms will give you a free donut with the purchase of any dispensed beverage on June 7. Flavor options include Cocoa Hazelnut-Filled, Cookies & Cream, Glazed and Blueberry.
• Dunkin’ is offering guests a free classic donut of their choice with the purchase of any beverage on June 7 -while supplies last.

  Dunkin’ Donuts – who gives out little boxes of “holes” at community events!

• Entenmann’s Bakery is hosting a Fan Flavor Challenge. The winner will receive $5,000 and free donuts for a year! Additionally, there’s a chance the winning donut will be made by Entenmann’s and sold in stores.
• Krispy Kreme will give one free donut from the entire menu (no purchase necessary) at participating shops in the United States and Canada. For the first time ever, Krispy Kreme is challenging fans to help the brand give away 1 million free donuts on National Donuts Day. If they reach the goal, customers will get a free taste of the brand’s newest donut later in June.
• Tim Horton’s is celebrating with a new donut flavor: churro. The churro donut is a honey cruller filled with caramel filling and topped with cinnamon sugar. It will be available at select locations starting June 7 and across the U.S. starting June 12, but only for a limited time.
• Walmart will give away 1.2 million glazed doughnuts while supplies last on June 7. Head to the bakery section at a participating store; limited to one per person.

You do not need a special for the $12 for a baker’s dozen of 13 donuts at Randy’s donuts in LA.

Randy’s Donuts is a both a dedicated donut bakery and landmark building  clearly visible from the 405 freeway at the La Cienega/Manchester near LAX, its huge donut on the roof of an otherwise ordinary drive-in bakery clearly visible from the 405 freeway.  That’s because it is 32-feet high.   The Bellflower and Reseda locations sport a version of the doughnut on a pole out in front the building that is about ten-feet smaller.  The  style dates to a period when programmatic architect had its heyday in Southern California from the mid-1920s to the mid-1930s.   By the 1950s however, the trend of designing structures in the shape of the product sold there had changed to focus on signs rather than architecture itself.   Those that are left, are considered local treasures.   The building was designed by Henry J. Goodwin.

The shop’s exterior has made numerous television and film appearances, including Entourage, Get Shorty and Iron Man 2, as well as the music videos , such as Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling!and Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”

Owner and Founder, Terry Heller of Plan Check Kitchen + Bar follows the company policy with each new location featuring a nod to ethnic neighborhood fare.  All of them complement Plan Check’s signature lineup of towering burgers, loaded fries, and innovative condiments ($15 and up).  The K-BBQ BURGER ($15) honors its Korean neighborhood home with a grilled pork belly, kimchee, sprouting onion, gochujang bbq sauce, sesame salt and fried onions.  Santa Monica place right off the ocean features dishes and drinks inspired by the eastern seacoast.  The cruller donut with fruit and cream ($6). is at all the locations.

Get in the spirit by finding out what donut you are by taking this quiz by RetailMeNot.

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