The true origin of the donut (also spelled doughnut) is unknown. Dutch people made donuts by frying balls of cake. However, there was no hole in the center of the donut which often caused the center to not cook all the way through. Instead the cakes were stuffed with fruit, nuts, or other fillings.
The donut shape was invented by Hanson Gregory in 1847. The 16 year old was on a ship and poked a hole in the center of the dough because he did not like how the center of the donut was often raw. Punching a hole in the middle of the donut and then frying it allowed all parts of the donut to cook evenly.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
