This is where to find the best donuts around New Zealand for International Donut Day

Donuts have come a long way from those little sugar nuggets that were rolled off greasy conveyor belts, packed hot into paper bags and sold from carts outside Warehouses up and down the country.

Skip forward a few years and these rings of fried batter are being stuffed and wrapped and dunked and sprinkled with everything from petals and pretzels to bacon and edible glitter.

As today it's International Donut Day, here is a list of the very best donuts from around the country.

Cream and Raspberry Donuts, Little & Friday, Auckland 

While this writer believes they were the sweet, sweet catalyst for her slippery slope to rapid weight gain, Little & Friday's raspberry coulis and cream-filled (read: stuffed to bursting) balls of aerated glory will convert even the most savoury of palettes.

How much: $6.50
Where to get them: Little & Friday stores: 11 McColl St, Newmarket or 43 Eversleigh Rd, Belmont.

Mamas Donuts, Hamilton

Handmade by two local "mamas" and their families, folks have been known to do donut runs from Auckland to Hamilton just to get their hands on these sweet treats. With classics such as original glazed and choc top as well as flavours of the month, there's something for everyone at Mamas Donuts.

How much: 12 originals, $25
Where to get them: 67 Duke Street, Hamilton

Little Dough Co., Wellington

Little Dough Co. create three flavours weekly - available Thursday to Sunday - making them the perfect naughty treat to end a busy working week. The team distribute their sugary goodness to three locations across the Wellington region so get salivating with this week's donut flavours: Fix & Fogg Honey Peanut Butter filled, Blueberry glazed and a Spiced Fennel sugared donut.

How much: $30 + $5 delivery gets you a box of six
Where to get them: Various locations around Wellington.

The Donut Boutique, Christchurch

For a fantastic selection of ringed and stuffed donuts, you can't go past The Donut Boutique. In particular. Try the Jelly Jamboree and the Maple Glaze, or grab a selection and head to Cathedral Square to enjoy with a coffee from Escarto Espresso.

How much: $2.80 - $5.20
Where to get them: 569 Barbadoes Street, Christchurch

Tahitian Vanilla Custard, Foxtrot Parlour, Auckland

My go-to would have to be the Tahitian vanilla custard donut from Foxtrot Parlor in Auckland's Ponsonby Central. The best thing about this donut is the fun process that comes with eating it: you're presented with a ball of sugar-coated dough and a syringe and away you go with filling your own donut. Watch your filling technique for the perfect ratio of custard to dough, or overfill and your donut will be bursting with custard - it's a win-win. If vanilla custard isn't your jam you can inject salted caramel, berry coulis or Valrhona chocolate.

How much: $6.50
Where to get them: Ponsonby Central, 7 Richmond Road, Ponsonby.

Bavarian Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts, nationwide

An oldie but a goodie, the Bavarian Kreme donut never fails to impress. Covered in powdered sugar and filled with delicious custard crème, this donut keeps it simple, just the way it should be.

Team it with a takeaway bag of Dunkin' Donuts donut holes for more nom nom nom's all day long.

How much: $2.60
Where to get them: Stores nationwide.

Mini Chocolate Espresso Donut, Scratch Bakery, Auckland

At just $2.50, the mini chocolate espresso donut may be the cheapest and most delicious way to get your sugar and caffeine fix.

Rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with gooey espresso chocolate, this dreamy concoction is best paired with a coffee and enjoyed as a mid-morning pick me up.

How much: $2.50
Where to get them: Scratch Bakery, 5 Graham Street, Auckland.

Original Glazed, Krispy Kreme, Auckland

While all the different flavours and decorations of donuts can be very exciting, there's still nothing better than the humble glaze. Krispy Kreme does this best and what's better is you can get them any time of the day at their store's 24-hour drive through! What a donut dream.

How much: $2.50
Where to get them: 3 Ronwood Ave, Manukau, Auckland

Ahwi's Strawberry Sprinkle Donut, Doornuts, Auckland

Fancy a donut like this delivered right to your door? Photo / Doornuts, Facebook

This is what I like to call "The Homer Simpson Donut". A delicious classic, it looks like your typical, perfect ring donut with pink icing and sprinkles. Insert Homer Simpson *drool* here. Made of a classic chewy dough and strawberry-flavoured topping, despite its bright colour, it doesn't overdo it on the sweetness scale. What makes Doornuts a stand-out though is the free delivery, right to your door.

How much: $4
Where to get them: 321 Karangahape Road, Auckland or order online.

This article was first published on NZ Herald and is republished here with permission. Additional reporting by The Hits.