Berliners and American doughnuts both use yeast-raised dough, but they have unique shapes and finishes. Berliner doughnuts are ball-shaped with no holes before frying, while American donut is cut from the rolled-out dough and often have the center removed to make donut holes. American doughnuts are typically glazed, while Berliners are traditionally coated with powdered sugar and filled with jam.