Small, individual sweet breads, usually ring-shaped, leavened by baking powder or yeast and deep-fat fried. Doughnuts are golden brown, uniform in shape, and have a tender crust and a slightly moist texture. Those leavened with baking powder (cake doughnuts) have a soft, cakelike texture. Yeast doughnuts are lighter and more breadlike than cake doughnuts. Doughnuts often are glazed with icing, dusted with sugar or filled with jelly or pudding.