OAKVILLE, Ont. -- On a day when doughnut flavours included devil's food cake and caramel popcorn, it was the simpler creations that won the day for Tim Hortons' "Duelling Donuts" contest.

B.C.-born Jason Priestley was among the panel of judges who whittled down the long list of 16 doughnut creations to just eight on Tuesday.

Among the finalists are the "S'more Of It," the "Monkey C-Donut, Monkey Do-Nut," the "Dark Chocolate Cherry Chunk" and the "Oreo Borealis."

The pastry recreation of the classic cream-filled cookie took the top honours from the panel, which also featured execs from Tim Hortons (TSX:THI) and TV host Ben Mulroney.

The contest was dreamed up after Priestley appeared in an episode of the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" where he claimed he had invented "The Priestley," a strawberry-vanilla doughnut with a chocolate Timbit nestled inside.

Priestley rose to fame for his role as squeaky clean teen Brandon Walsh on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and currently stars in TV's "Call Me Fitz."

"We are a nation of doughnut-eating people," Priestley said Tuesday. "It's so random and strange but that's just part of who we are. And we are also a nation of people who aren't afraid to laugh at ourselves, and that's where this stems from."

The contest winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize.

Canadians can vote for their favourite of the last eight doughnuts standing online, beginning Aug. 5.