Twist Donut

The twist donut is a playful, tactile creation that transforms simple donut dough into something special through the art of shaping. Made by taking two strips of dough, twisting them around each other, and frying the result, the twist donut offers a unique eating experience — each section can be pulled apart, creating bite-sized pieces that are perfect for sharing or savoring one piece at a time.

The twist has been a fixture in American donut shops for well over a century. Its origins are closely tied to the cruller tradition brought by Dutch and German immigrants, though the twist has evolved into its own distinct category. Unlike a cruller, which is typically made from a single piece of twisted dough, the twist uses two separate pieces intertwined, creating a more dramatic shape with deeper crevices and more pronounced ridges.

The beauty of the twist donut lies in its geometry. The intertwined strips create an irregular surface with thick sections and thin connectors, meaning each twist contains a variety of textures within a single donut. The thinner connections fry up extra crispy, while the thicker portions remain soft and doughy. When glazed, the sugar coating pools in the crevices, creating sweet spots of concentrated flavor.

Twist donuts are incredibly versatile. They can be made from either yeast dough or cake batter, and they take well to virtually any coating — plain glaze, chocolate frosting, maple icing, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar. Some shops make oversized twists that serve as shareable pastries, while others keep them donut-sized for individual enjoyment. The twist's dramatic appearance also makes it one of the most photogenic donuts in the case, standing out among the rings and bars with its sculptural form.