Short answer
A long john donut is an oblong, rectangular yeast donut, usually iced with chocolate or maple and sometimes filled with cream or custard. It is an oblong donut, not a ring, and the name is a regional favorite across the United States.
A long john donut is a rectangular, oblong yeast donut that is usually iced with chocolate or maple glaze and sometimes filled with cream. The long john donut is bar-shaped rather than a ring, and the name is common across much of the United States.
What is a long john donut?
A long john donut is an oblong, bar-shaped donut made from fried yeast dough, roughly the size of a hand. It has no hole and carries a flat top that suits a thick layer of icing.
Alternative names include bar donut, maple bar when topped with maple and, with cream inside, cream-filled bar or custard bar. The shape is a regional signal. In parts of California and the Pacific Northwest, the name maple bar is far more common than long john.
Why is it called a long john?
It is called a long john because of its long, narrow shape. Beyond that, the origin of the term is not well documented, and several folk explanations circulate without strong evidence.
Because the history is uncertain, treat any story naming a specific inventor or year with caution. What is certain is that the name is widely used for a rectangular donut in American bakeries.
What are the common long john toppings and fillings?
The common long john toppings are chocolate icing and maple icing, and the common fillings are vanilla custard and whipped cream. Many bakeries sell the same dough in all four combinations.
| Version | Topping | Filling |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate long john | Chocolate icing | None |
| Maple bar | Maple icing | None |
| Cream-filled long john | Chocolate or maple icing | Vanilla cream or custard |
| Plain glazed bar | Clear sugar glaze | None |
| Cinnamon sugar bar | Cinnamon sugar | None |
Sprinkles, nuts and coconut also appear in some shops, but chocolate and maple are the classics.
How is a long john different from a round donut?
A long john differs from a round donut mainly in shape, and the shape changes how it eats. The long john has a flat top for more icing and a wider, softer center than a ring donut.
- A ring donut has a hole, which lets the dough fry evenly and gives a lighter bite.
- A long john has more dough in the middle, so it feels more filling.
- Ring donuts are often glazed in one dip, while long johns carry a thicker, flat layer of icing.
- Long johns take a filling more easily because there is room along the length.
How is a long john different from an eclair?
A long john is a fried yeast donut, while an eclair is a baked choux pastry. They look similar because both are long, iced and sometimes filled, but they are different pastries.
| Feature | Long john | Eclair |
|---|---|---|
| Dough | Yeast dough | Choux pastry |
| Cooking | Fried in oil | Baked |
| Texture | Soft, bready | Thin, hollow, delicate |
| Filling | Optional cream or custard | Always cream or custard |
| Origin | American bakeries | French pastry |
How do you make a long john donut at home?
To make a long john donut, roll risen yeast dough into a rectangle, cut it into pieces, let them rise again, fry them and ice the tops. The steps below are a general method.
- Make a soft yeast dough from flour, milk, sugar, butter, egg and yeast, and let it double.
- Roll it to about 1/2 inch thick and cut pieces roughly 4 inches by 2 inches.
- Rest the pieces on parchment for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Fry in oil at 350°F for about one minute per side until golden.
- Cool on a rack.
- Dip the tops in chocolate or maple icing and let them set.
For a filled bar, slit the side with a knife and pipe in chilled custard before icing.
Does Holmesburg Bakery sell long johns?
A long john by name is not on Holmesburg Bakery’s recorded menu. Reviewers mention a chocolate rod as a favorite there, which is a long pastry, but published sources do not say it is a long john or an eclair.
The bakery is known for cream-filled and powdered cream donuts, plus items such as butter cake, cinnamon rolls and muffins, according to listings reviewed in November 2026. Prices and fillings are not published. If you want a long pastry with chocolate, ask the counter what the chocolate rod is and how it is made.
See the menu page for what is recorded and the hours and location page for opening times. This guide is independent and takes no orders. Call (215) 624-1091 to confirm.
What does a long john taste like?
A long john tastes like a soft, lightly sweet fried bread topped with a thick layer of icing. Chocolate versions are sweet and slightly bitter, while maple versions taste of caramel and brown sugar.
The dough is the same airy yeast dough used for round donuts, so the bite is chewy and light. Because the donut is long, each bite has a different ratio of icing to dough, and the last bite often carries the most icing. A cream-filled long john adds a cool, smooth center that softens the sweetness.
Long john vs Bismarck vs maple bar: what is the difference?
A long john is the shape, a maple bar is a long john with maple icing and a Bismarck is a round filled donut. The names overlap in everyday speech, which is why they confuse people.
| Name | Shape | Usual filling | Usual topping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long john | Rectangle | None or cream | Chocolate or maple |
| Maple bar | Rectangle | None | Maple icing |
| Bismarck | Round | Jelly, custard or cream | Sugar or glaze |
| Cream stick | Rectangle | Cream | Chocolate or plain |
Regional use varies. A cream-filled long john may be sold as a custard stick in some places, so reading the case label or asking is the safest route.
How do you keep a long john fresh?
Keep an iced long john in a loose container at room temperature and eat it the same day. A filled one belongs in the refrigerator. Icing can sweat if the container is airtight and humid, so leave a small gap for air.
Common questions
Why is it called a long john?
The name describes the long, narrow shape of the donut. The exact origin of the term is not firmly documented, and food writers offer different guesses. It is simply the common American name for a rectangular donut.
Is a long john the same as a maple bar?
A maple bar is a long john with maple icing. Long john is the shape, and maple, chocolate or plain glaze are the toppings. On the West Coast the name maple bar is more common than long john.
What is the difference between a long john and an eclair?
A long john is made from fried yeast dough, while an eclair is made from baked choux pastry. Both are long and often filled with cream and chocolate, but the dough, the texture and the cooking method differ.
Are long john donuts filled?
Some are. A plain long john has no filling. A cream-filled long john, often sold as a custard bar, holds custard or whipped cream inside. Many shops sell both forms, so ask when you order.
How do you make a long john donut at home?
Roll yeast dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick, cut it into pieces, let them rise and fry at 350°F until golden. Cool them, then dip the tops in chocolate or maple icing.
Planning a visit? Start with Holmesburg Bakery Philadelphia: address, opening hours, menu and directions in one place.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Holmesburg Bakery itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.