8 Dunkin’ Donuts Disasters (And 8 That Absolutely Deliver)
Dunkin’ Donuts has been serving up sweet treats since 1950, becoming a morning staple for millions. Not all donuts are created equal, though, as some are heavenly bites of perfection while others might leave you wishing you’d stuck with coffee.
I’ve sampled the entire menu to bring you the definitive ranking of Dunkin’s worst offenders and their shining stars.
1. Blueberry Cake Catastrophe
Artificial flavor overwhelms any chance this donut had at greatness. The blueberry essence tastes like it came straight from a lab, reminiscent of scented markers rather than actual fruit.
The cake texture somehow manages to be both dense and crumbly simultaneously. Each bite leaves you wondering if you’re eating a donut or a blueberry-scented candle that’s been fashioned into a ring shape.
2. Strawberry Frosted Failure
Neon pink doesn’t naturally occur in food, yet this donut flaunts it proudly. The frosting tastes like melted strawberry candy with a chemical aftertaste that lingers uncomfortably.
I remember bringing these to my nephew’s birthday party, thinking kids would love them. Even the sugar-crazed 7-year-olds left them untouched!
The rainbow sprinkles add nothing but empty calories and a false promise of fun.
3. Jelly-Filled Disappointment
Biting into this donut is like playing Russian roulette with your taste buds. Will you get a mouthful of artificial jelly or an empty pocket of broken dreams?
The jelly itself has an identity crisis – neither raspberry nor strawberry, just generically “red.” The sugar coating becomes a sticky mess on your fingers, and the filling-to-donut ratio is consistently inconsistent.
4. Old-Fashioned Flop
Traditionally, old-fashioned donuts should have character and depth. Dunkin’s version missed that memo entirely.
The dense cake lacks any distinguishing flavor beyond “sweet carbohydrate.” Its only remarkable quality is its ability to grow stale within hours of purchase.
One positive note: it does maintain structural integrity when dunked in coffee, mostly because nothing, not even liquid, wants to penetrate its flavorless fortress.
5. Vanilla Cream Catastrophe
The cream filling resembles sugary toothpaste more than anything that should be inside a donut. White, overly sweet, and with a texture that’s simultaneously gritty and slick.
The powdered sugar coating guarantees you’ll wear evidence of your poor donut choice all day. Last summer, I bit into one and the filling squirted onto my new shirt, leaving a stain that no amount of Tide could remove!
6. Apple Fritter Fiasco
Apple fritters should be glorious creations with real apple chunks and cinnamon swirls. Dunkin’s version is a dense, overly sweet brick with suspicious “apple” bits that resemble nothing found in nature.
The glaze forms a tooth-aching crust that shatters everywhere. During college finals week, I bought one as a study treat and nearly chipped a tooth on what was supposed to be a soft pastry!
7. Coconut Disaster
Shredded coconut covers this donut like artificial snow on a budget Christmas tree. The coconut flakes are dry, flavorless, and stick to everything except your taste buds.
Each bite becomes a textural nightmare as the stale coconut shreds lodge between teeth. The underlying donut does nothing to redeem the experience, serving merely as a vehicle for the bland coconut coating that seems designed to follow you home.
8. Toasted Coconut Travesty
Toasting coconut should enhance its nutty flavor. Instead, Dunkin’ somehow manages to create coconut flakes that taste like they were toasted next to a scented candle rather than in an oven.
The brown-edged coconut bits stick to your lips, fingers, and clothing with remarkable determination. My brother once found coconut shreds in his car weeks after eating one of these – they’re the glitter of the donut world!
9. Boston Kreme Champion
Chocolate frosting meets custard filling in this perfect marriage of flavors. The glossy chocolate top cracks just right when bitten, revealing a light, airy donut beneath.
The vanilla custard center provides a creamy contrast that balances the sweetness perfectly. I’ve driven an extra 15 minutes to a Dunkin’ location that consistently fills these generously – some pleasures are worth the journey!
10. Chocolate Frosted Delight
Simple perfection exists in this classic donut. The chocolate frosting has actual cocoa depth without being bitter, while the yeast donut beneath stays light and airy.
Rainbow sprinkles add a textural crunch and nostalgic charm. My morning commute improved dramatically when I discovered the Dunkin’ near my office makes these fresh at 7 am – sometimes the simplest pleasures are the most reliable.
11. Glazed Donut Glory
Perfection hides in simplicity. The glazed donut features a crackling sugar coating that shatters delicately with each bite, revealing a pillowy interior that pulls apart in satisfying strands.
When fresh, this donut achieves the ideal balance between sweet coating and yeasty bread. My grandmother, a donut connoisseur at 85, declares these “the only proper breakfast” and who am I to argue with such wisdom?
12. Maple Frosted Marvel
Fall flavors shine year-round in this underrated gem. The maple frosting delivers authentic flavor reminiscent of real maple syrup rather than artificial sweetness.
The yeast donut base provides the perfect canvas for the distinctive frosting. Last autumn, I brought a dozen to a family gathering, and they disappeared before anything else on the table – even my aunt’s famous apple pie didn’t stand a chance against these!
13. Strawberry Frosted (Without Sprinkles)
Strip away the childish sprinkles, and something magical happens. The strawberry frosting, when fresh, offers a light berry sweetness that complements the airy yeast donut beneath.
The vibrant pink color may be artificial, but the flavor achieves a better balance without competing textures.
My daughter calls these “princess donuts” and insists they taste better than the sprinkled version – children’s taste buds don’t lie!
14. Apple n’ Spice Surprise
Autumn captured in donut form! Cinnamon and nutmeg-infused dough provides a warm spice foundation that elevates this beyond ordinary offerings.
Apple bits throughout add moisture and genuine fruit flavor. The cinnamon sugar coating creates a delightful crunch that contrasts with the soft interior.
During apple-picking season, I conduct a side-by-side comparison with cider donuts from local orchards, and this Dunkin’ creation consistently ranks among my favorites.
15. Chocolate Frosted Cake Excellence
Dense, rich chocolate cake forms the foundation of this standout donut. Unlike its yeast-based relatives, this version offers substantial satisfaction in a smaller package.
The chocolate frosting adds another layer of cocoa intensity without crossing into cloying territory. Perfect with black coffee for a true chocolate experience.
My chocolate-obsessed brother-in-law ranks these above fancy boutique donuts costing three times as much!
16. Butternut Crunch Revelation
Butternut donuts remain criminally underrated. The unique sweet coating creates a delicate crunch that gives way to a tender cake donut beneath.
The nutty, buttery flavor profile offers sophistication beyond standard glazed varieties. When fresh, these achieve a perfect textural contrast between the coating and the donut.
My coffee shop companion always eyes mine enviously when I snag the last one from the display case!