Mmmmmmm doughnuts!

There’s nothing quite as tasty as the deliciousness of a doughnut. But even though we may gobble these deep-fried rings of dough by the “baker’s dozen” how much do we really know about this pastry?

Today is National Doughnut Day, so in honor of this delectable occasion, we’re going to discover 10 fun facts about the doughnut.

Hang onto your seat. This is going to be a sweet ride.

10 Fun Facts About the Doughnut

Did you know…

#1 – People Are Named After It?

As of 2011, ten people in the United States have the last name “Donut.” Although, no one is sure if this is a given name or it was changed because of the love of the pastry.

There are also 13 people with the first name “Donut.” This makes it the 245,396th most popular name today.

#2 – Potato Doughnuts?

The first fast food doughnut shop to open in Los Angeles was in 1940 and was called Spudnuts. It used mashed potatoes or potato starch in their doughnut recipe. These doughnuts were hugely popular.

#3 – French Doughnuts Are Nun Farts

In France, their doughnuts are made more like a fritter and are called “Pet de Nonne.” Translated into English, this means “Nun Farts.”

#4 – War Doughnuts

During World War I, workers from the Salvation Army would serve soldiers doughnuts and coffee. This was a friendly reminder of home and would cheer them up.

#5 – Once Called ‘Olykoeks’

The Dutch have been widely attributed to bringing the doughnut to America. They called them ‘Olykoeks,’ which means “oily cakes.”

#6 – Over 10 Billion Served

Over 10 billion doughnuts are made each year in the United States. Canada makes fewer doughnuts each year (only a measly one billion). However, since there are fewer people there, they actually have more doughnut shops per-capita of any country in the world.

#7 – One BIG Doughnut!

One of the largest doughnuts ever made weigh 1.7 tons! It was 16 feet wide and 16 inches high. This humongous desert was made in Utica, New York on January 21, 1993.

#8 – Another Doozy Doughnut

In December 2007 Donut King celebrated the release of The Simpsons Movie on DVD. They made a huge ring that consisted of 90,000 doughnuts! It also contained over half-a-tonne of pink icing and 30 kg of sprinkles!

#9 – A Cow Created the First Doughnut?

One story tells us that a cow may have created the first doughnut. It is reported that this bovine accidentally kicked over a pot of boiling oil into a mixture of pastry.

I wonder why a cow would be in the kitchen?

#10 – TALL Stack!

If we were to stack all the doughnuts sold during 20 years of National Doughnut Week, they would reach into space. Happy snacking astronauts!

How are you going to celebrate this special occasion?

Drop us a line in the comments section to let us know or tell us your favorite flavor.

Happy National Doughnut Day!