A Long John doughnut is usually what shape?

A Long John doughnut is usually bar-shaped. It is a yeast-raised doughnut formed as an elongated rectangle or stick, rather than the familiar round ring.

The pastry may be glazed all over or topped with icing, including chocolate or maple frosting. Some versions are filled with custard or cream, while an unfilled maple-topped version is often called a maple bar, especially on the U.S. West Coast.

Names vary by region. “Long John” is common in parts of the Midwest, Canada, and Texas; elsewhere, similar pastries may be sold as bars, cream sticks, finger doughnuts, or even éclairs. That last comparison can mislead: an éclair is traditionally made from choux pastry, while a Long John uses yeast-raised dough.

The shape also explains why “ring-shaped” is not the best answer. Ring doughnuts are a major doughnut category, but the defining visual feature of a Long John is its length. Regional bakery terminology can differ, yet the bar-like form remains the standard description.