Donuts, or perhaps doughnuts, are one of the most popular pastries in the world - not because people in remote corners of Africa or South America are trotting out to Dunkin' Donuts in the mornings for their fix, but because every culture has some sort of fried dough that they love to eat. Dip it in chocolate, roll it in sugar or fill it with jam, because however fried dough is served, people love it. It's not healthy, but it's tasty. To make those extra calories worth your while, we picked out eight of the best donut shops in the country. In no particular order:

1. The Doughnut Plant in New York is known for hand rolling, hand cutting and hand glazing their doughnuts with fresh, seasonal flavors, like Lime, Strawberry and Ginger.
2. Voodoo Doughnut in Portland has some of the most original donut names and flavors, like Dirt (raised doughnut covered with vanilla glaze and oreo cookies), Butter Fingering (Devils food, vanilla, and crushed Butterfinger) and, the Voodoo Doll Doughnut itself.
3. Baby Donut Company in Los Angeles offers an unbelievable number of combinations so you can create your own flavors with various fillings and toppings. The experience can be summed up in two words: s'mores donuts.
4. Mighty O Donuts in Seattle is as close to healthy as a real, fried donut can get because they're all natural, vegan and trans-fat free. Don't worry, they still taste amazing!
5. Round Rock Donuts in Round Rock, Texas taste exactly like high quality donuts should: fresh, light and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They're worth a trip out of your way  - and other bloggers agree!
6. Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe in Washington, DC is branching out into new areas, but keeping their specialty donut menu available to all, with combinations like Banana Bread and Trail Mix that are sure to keep customers coming back.
   And we couldn't forget:
7. Dunkin' Donuts doesn't need any introduction. 2.7 million customers in 30 countries can't be wrong, right?
8. Krispy Kreme may have financial problems, but their donuts are still good. They are best when they're fresh out of the fryer. If they're too sweet for you as is, try asking for the glaze on the side so you can dip it yourself!