Donuts are one of the most savoury snacks out there, with a rich history. The origin of donuts dates back to the 17th Century. The Dutch were the first to make a snack out of the dough by frying it in pork fat. They called these early versions of donuts “olykoeks” (oily cakes).
From Dough to donut
While the term “oily cakes” does not exude the feeling of appetizing taste, the concept of frying dough in oil made way for the existence of pastries that we have come to know as donuts.
The Dutch brought this concept to the shores of America back in the 17th Century. Oily cakes soon became a household concept in America as millions of Americans began frying dough in oil to make donuts.
The ‘Hole’ Problem
Since the earlier donuts were practically balls of dough fried in oil, the middle part of these snacks always remained uncooked. To solve this issue, the Dutch and later the Americans began putting nuts and other fillings in the middle of donuts.
It was not until 100 years later that the hole was introduced to the donuts. According to the story, Elizabeth Gregory used to cook donuts for her son Hansen Gregory, who was the captain of a ship. She used to put nuts and caramels in the middle part like the Dutch.
One fortunate day, Hansen Gregory was met with a storm during his voyage and had to take control of the ship by firmly holding the steering wheel. At the time, Hansen was having his mother’s donuts and didn’t know where to put them to be able to control the steering wheel with both hands.
In an attempt to have his hands free, he decided to skewer the donuts in the spikes of the steering wheel and thus, the donut hole was born.
Becoming a Cultural Phenomenon
donuts became especially famous during World War I when American soldiers were served with these delectable by French women volunteers.
When the soldiers returned to America, they realized that donuts had already become a natural phenomenon in the country.
A refugee from czarist Russia named Adolph Levitt was the primary propeller of this phenomenon. His donuts were famous, and the demands for these delicious pastries kept on rising. So Levitt created a gadget that could produce a large number of donuts quickly.
The machine solidified the concept of donuts in America and made it the nation’s favourite sweet snack.
The Shipley Approach
In 1936, Lawrence Shipley Sr introduced a gourmet recipe for donuts, which triggered the rise of Shipley Donuts. Soon, Shipley Donuts started making a large variety of delicious donuts, and by 1940, it turned into a full-fledged donut outlet.
Lawrence Jr took over his father’s idea and made it into a nationwide supplier of donuts.
Currently, the President of the company, Shipley III, carries the tradition of baking delicious donuts in more than 60 varieties.
We, at Shipley Donuts, are dedicated to conserving the same taste in our donuts that have kept the customers coming back throughout the years. We honour Mr Lawrence Shipley Sr by producing one of the most succulent, fresh, and delicious donuts in the country.
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