USA's Most Distinctive Donut Creations

If there’s one decadent, doughy treat that America has become synonymous with over the last two decades, it’s donuts. So much so that these days, it isn’t just the animated TV cops taking a few down during their coffee break.It's gaggling groups of visiting Instagrammers looking for their next fix of something share-worthy.Seemingly every major city has a hip donut shop or two, upping the competition when it comes to flavors, textures, shapes and crazy creations. This has led to some rather unique creations, often boasting their own wacky, or even risque, names and ingredient combinations.If you’re down with straying away from the classic glazed or long john, then the following one-of-a-kind donuts are perfect for you:MORE Features & AdviceOut of this World at Glam Doll Donuts (Minneapolis, Minnesota)I’ll start with perhaps the most unusual donut creation on this whole list: the Out of This World. This “filled donut” actually more closely resembles a small calzone, with a half-moon-shaped dough encasing a gooey center of Havarti and muenster cheeses.The dough is also glazed with a curry icing and a sprinkling of curry peanuts, making this perhaps the most thrilling sweet-and-savory ride your tastebuds will ever go on.Bitter Queen at Dynamo Donut (San Francisco, California)The Bitter Queen is like a donut version of a cocktail. A classic hole donut, it features a candied ruby grapefruit base, an elderflower liqueur glaze and a sprinkling of Campari sugar.Maybe don’t eat ten of these and then drive yourself home, just in case.READ MORE: Ohio’s New Donut TrailRosemary Olive Oil at Fonuts (Los Angeles, California)This is another savory twist on a classic at this small yet friendly donut shop whose name is the phonetic spelling of what they serve: "faux-nuts"— because their rings of dough are baked, not fried).Tasting more like a fluffy focaccia than a sweet donut, this is one for those who don’t really like dessert.Cacaoboy at Doughnuttery (New York City, New York)On the surface, this may first look like your classic sugared ring donut. It’s small and the exterior is rolled in crushed cacao nibs and crumbled chocolate cookies. But the added extra ingredient is mesquite smoke, which elevates the umami factor by ten.READ MORE: Mickey Donuts Steal the Show at Shanghai DisneyBlue Cheese Cabernet at Glazed Gourmet (Charleston, South Carolina)Cuddling a pool of homemade pear jam, this donut features all of the flavors of a wine and cheese party.The donut itself is a simple vanilla batter—the perfect vehicle for the flavors of the jam, a Cabernet glaze and a blue cheese honey drizzle.Cointreau Creme Brulee at Blue Star Donuts (Portland, Oregon)This is the “star” donut of this particular establishment, garnering praise from press country-wide due to its unique presentation.You have to be of legal drinking age to eat this one because it comes topped with a little vial of vanilla-scented Cointreau syrup, which you’re supposed to squeeze into the donut before eating. The creamy filling is vanilla custard and, in true brulee style, the custard is rolled in sugar and then caramelized until brown.