A donut (also spelled "doughnut") is a small, fried pastry typically glazed with sugar, chocolate, or other frostings. It often contains sweet fillings such as cream, jelly, or custard.
The most common form is the ring-shaped donut, but the term also applies to round, filled donuts and other regional variants. Donuts are popular worldwide and appear frequently in food-related media and illustrations.
In American media, donuts are stereotypically associated with the police, a trope that originated during the interwar period in the United States. Donuts were often the only food readily available during late-night or early morning shifts. To this day, donuts and coffee remain a classic breakfast combination in North American donut shops.
