13 Tempting Toppings

Toppings provide a relatively easy way to add flavor, pizzazz, and variety to donuts. At quirky shops such as Portland, Oregon's Voodoo Doughnut, the selection ranges all the way from iconic sprinkles to unconventional bacon or Froot Loops. Below, some of our favorites, both modern and traditional.

Sprinkles
Sprinkles

For a visual bang, cover the entire top half of a raised donut in sprinkles to its center seam, or “skunk line.”

Rose petals
Rose Petals

Dipped in egg whites, dragged through superfine sugar, and dried, the petals add fragrant, colorful accents.

Red Hots
Red Hots

The spicy, chewy candies are a bright-hued alternative to a traditional cinnamon-sugar glaze.

Nuts
Nuts

Whether it’s almond slivers on Nepalese balushahi or hazelnuts crowning bomboloni, nuts make a crunchy, savory topping. Toast them first to maximize their flavor.

Nonpareils
Nonpareils

The key to getting these edible confetti to stick to a donut is to apply them while the glaze is still wet.

Fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit

Seasonal fresh fruit lends tang and color when set atop donuts or pureed and mixed into glaze.

Dried Fruit
Dried fruit

Given its concentrated flavor, a little dried fruit goes a long way; it’s best to use it finely chopped.

Cookies
Cookies

Crushed Oreos lend a striking black and white gravel effect and rich chocolate and vanilla flavor.

Kids' Cereal
Kids' cereal

Froot Loops, a Voodoo Doughnut signature, lend crunch and color to donuts, plus they’re the same shape.

Caramel
Caramel

Freeze caramels to easily crumble them in a food processor. Sprinkle them on a donut for burnt-sugar richness.

Candy
Candy

Small candies are ready to use straight from the bag, while larger bars can be frozen and chopped to use as a topping.

Candied citrus peel
Candied Citrus Peel

Boil rind in simple syrup and then roll it in granulated sugar for a topping that adds bittersweet contrast to Neapolitan struffoli and other honey-soaked fritters.

Bacon
Bacon

Hickory-smoked strips are great for flavor, snap, and visual impact atop a Long John.

TODD COLEMAN
Recipes

13 Tempting Toppings

Toppings provide a relatively easy way to add flavor, pizzazz, and variety to donuts. At quirky shops such as Portland, Oregon's Voodoo Doughnut, the selection ranges all the way from iconic sprinkles to unconventional bacon or Froot Loops. Below, some of our favorites, both modern and traditional.

Sprinkles
Sprinkles

For a visual bang, cover the entire top half of a raised donut in sprinkles to its center seam, or “skunk line.”

Rose petals
Rose Petals

Dipped in egg whites, dragged through superfine sugar, and dried, the petals add fragrant, colorful accents.

Red Hots
Red Hots

The spicy, chewy candies are a bright-hued alternative to a traditional cinnamon-sugar glaze.

Nuts
Nuts

Whether it’s almond slivers on Nepalese balushahi or hazelnuts crowning bomboloni, nuts make a crunchy, savory topping. Toast them first to maximize their flavor.

Nonpareils
Nonpareils

The key to getting these edible confetti to stick to a donut is to apply them while the glaze is still wet.

Fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit

Seasonal fresh fruit lends tang and color when set atop donuts or pureed and mixed into glaze.

Dried Fruit
Dried fruit

Given its concentrated flavor, a little dried fruit goes a long way; it’s best to use it finely chopped.

Cookies
Cookies

Crushed Oreos lend a striking black and white gravel effect and rich chocolate and vanilla flavor.

Kids' Cereal
Kids' cereal

Froot Loops, a Voodoo Doughnut signature, lend crunch and color to donuts, plus they’re the same shape.

Caramel
Caramel

Freeze caramels to easily crumble them in a food processor. Sprinkle them on a donut for burnt-sugar richness.

Candy
Candy

Small candies are ready to use straight from the bag, while larger bars can be frozen and chopped to use as a topping.

Candied citrus peel
Candied Citrus Peel

Boil rind in simple syrup and then roll it in granulated sugar for a topping that adds bittersweet contrast to Neapolitan struffoli and other honey-soaked fritters.

Bacon
Bacon

Hickory-smoked strips are great for flavor, snap, and visual impact atop a Long John.

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