Copycat Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut Recipe

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Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut has long been a favorite during summer celebrations, especially around the Fourth of July. With its eye-catching blue icing, patriotic red, white, and blue sprinkles, and delicious vanilla buttercream filling, it’s the kind of dessert that garners compliments before anyone even takes a bite.

How to make a Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut

The Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut is a limited‑time patriotic treat from Dunkin’s summer 2025 menu—perfect for celebrating the Fourth of July!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
• ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Buttercreme Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

For the Decorations:

• Blue icing (store-bought or homemade with powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring)
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles
• Star-shaped cookie cutter

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy. Then add the softened butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Proof the dough: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Shape the Donuts

1. Roll out the dough: Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface to a thickness of about ½ inch.
2. Cut out the shapes: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out your donuts. Re-roll scraps and continue until the dough is used up. Cover the cut shapes with a towel and let them rest for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Fry the Donuts

1. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or skillet (about 2 inches deep). Heat to 350°F.
2. Fry: Carefully fry the donuts in batches, flipping them once, until they are golden brown and cooked through. This should take about 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Prepare the Buttercreme Filling

1. Mix: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Whip until light and fluffy.
2. Fill: Use a piping bag with a narrow tip to inject the buttercreme filling into each donut. Insert the tip into the side or bottom of the donut while squeezing the filling inside.

Step 5: Decorate

1. Get creative: Spread blue icing on top of each donut. Don’t worry about perfection—the fun is in the festive look!
2. Sprinkle: Add red, white, and blue sprinkles generously on top of the icing.

Tips for Success

• Make Ahead: You can prep the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature before rolling and shaping.
• Perfect Frying: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature. If it’s too hot, the donuts will burn; if it’s too cool, they’ll absorb excess oil.
• Homemade Blue Icing: To make blue icing, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk. Add blue food coloring until it reaches your desired shade.
• Consistent Filling: If you don’t own a piping bag, cut the edge of a zip-top bag to make an impromptu filler tool.
• Star Cutter Size: The star-shaped cookie cutter should ideally be around 3-4 inches wide for a donut that’s easy to fry and decorate.

What to serve with

The Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut is a sweet, festive treat that blends the classic taste of fluffy fried dough with vibrant red, white, and blue decorations. To make it part of a balanced dessert spread or patriotic event, pairing it with complementary drinks, sides, or even savory dishes can elevate your serving game.

• Hot Coffee or Espresso: The rich, slightly bitter flavors of coffee are a perfect counterbalance to the sweetness of the Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut. You can serve:
• Black coffee for a strong contrast: A vanilla latte or a caramel macchiato, if you prefer a sweeter pairing.
• Cold Brew Coffee: A crisp, chilled cold brew pairs beautifully with the Star Spangled Donut, particularly in warm weather. For a patriotic spin, consider:
• Milkshakes: Blend up a vanilla, strawberry, or blueberry milkshake to enhance the celebratory vibe. Garnish the milkshake with whipped cream and the same red, white, and blue sprinkles used on the donuts for a cohesive pairing.
• Hot Chocolate: A rich, velvety hot chocolate is an excellent choice for kids or anyone looking for extra indulgence. You can make it festive by topping it with marshmallows dyed with food colors or patriotic sprinkles.
• Patriotic Mocktails or Cocktails: For a party setting, pair the donuts with themed drinks such as:

Ingredients Substitutes

The Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut is a festive treat often available during patriotic holidays, decorated with colorful sprinkles and icing to match the red, white, and blue theme.

1. Substitutes for All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is a key ingredient in making the donut dough. If you need a substitute:

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Use an equal amount of gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for elasticity.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but note that the Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut may turn out denser.
• Cake Flour: For a more tender donut, consider using cake flour. Use 1 cup of cake flour plus a little extra to compensate for its lower protein content.

2. Substitutes for Milk

Milk is commonly used in the dough or glaze for the Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut. If you need a dairy-free alternative:

• Almond Milk: Use unsweetened almond milk in the same quantity as regular milk.
• Oat Milk: Oat milk offers a creamy texture and can be used as a one-to-one substitute.
• Soy Milk: An equally good option for those who can’t consume dairy.
• Coconut Milk: Use canned coconut milk for a richer flavor, especially in the glaze.

3. Substitutes for Eggs

Eggs are used to bind the dough and add moisture. If you need egg substitutes:

• Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg replacement.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg when substituting.
• Silken Tofu: Blend 1/4 cup of silken tofu for each egg substitute.
• Yogurt (Dairy or Non-Dairy): Plain yogurt (such as coconut or almond yogurt) works as an alternative for binding.

4. Substitutes for Butter

Butter adds richness to the dough and glaze. You can use:

• Vegetable Oil: Substitute with an equal amount of oil for a softer texture.
• Coconut Oil: Provides a slight coconut flavor but works well in donuts.
• Vegan Butter or Margarine: Use a plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.

5. Substitutes for Sugar

Sugar provides sweetness in the dough and glaze. You can substitute with:

• Coconut Sugar: Gives a caramel-like flavor but may darken the color of the donuts.
• Maple Syrup: Use 3/4 the amount of sugar and adjust liquid ingredients if substituting with syrup.
• Honey or Agave Nectar: Similar to maple syrup, use 3/4 of the amount and reduce the liquid by a slight amount.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: Use these sparingly as they are more potent than regular sugar.

6. Substitutes for Yeast

Yeast is essential for a light and fluffy donut. If you don’t have yeast:

• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: For quick donuts (more cake-like), use 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of flour.
• Greek Yogurt or Vinegar Reacted with Baking Soda: Combine acid with baking soda for a light texture.

7. Substitutes for Colored Sprinkles

The Star Spangled Donut gets its festive appearance from red, white, and blue sprinkles. If you don’t have traditional sprinkles:

• Natural Sprinkle Brands: Opt for sprinkles made from natural colorings.
• Crushed Colored Candies: Crush hard candies in red, white, and blue to create a sprinkles effect.
• DIY Sprinkle Alternative: Combine powdered sugar, food coloring, and water to create a paste, and pipe tiny dots to make homemade sprinkles.

8. Substitutes for Food Coloring

If creating the glaze or sprinkles, food coloring provides the vibrant red and blue tones. Use natural alternatives:

• Red: Use beet juice, strawberry puree, or pomegranate juice for a natural red hue.
• Blue: Use butterfly pea powder or blueberry puree for a natural blue shade.

9. Substitutes for Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract adds flavor to the donut or glaze. If you’re out of vanilla:

• Almond Extract: A slightly different but complementary flavor to donuts.
• Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness and a subtle maple flavor.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Powder: If you have access, these are richer alternatives to extract.

10. Substitutes for Oil (in Frying or Baking)

If frying the donuts, you’ll need oil. In case you’re avoiding traditional frying oil:

• Avocado Oil: A neutral option that tolerates high heat.
• Canola Oil: A lighter option for frying or baking.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip frying altogether and use an air fryer for a healthier preparation with minimal or no oil.

Final Thoughts

You’ve now recreated Dunkin’s Star Spangled Donut at home. Serve them as a festive dessert at your Fourth of July gathering or enjoy them with a creamy coffee to make any day feel a little more patriotic.

More Dunkin’ Recipes:

• Copycat Dunkin’ Braided Apple Pie Recipe