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National Donut Day: Free Giveaways and Recipes

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Salvation Army War Cry magazine, November 9, 1918 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Unlike most national food holidays that we whole-heartedly celebrate at KCET Food with mouthwatering photos, the origin of National Donut Day is significant: During the First World War, Salvation Army workers would distribute donuts to beleaguered soldiers in the trenches. That bit of history informed the making of National Donut Day in 1938 as a Salvation Army fundraiser during the Depression.

Now, the first Friday of June is a day to indulge in the joys of sweetened, fried dough. National chains like Krispy Kreme are giving out free donuts all day, while Dunkin' Donuts offers a free donut with purchase of a beverage.

It's also a great opportunity to look at some of the best donuts to be had around Los Angeles and to try out recipes for donuts in all its fried incarnations.

 

 

 

 

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