Copycat Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donuts Recipe

14

I’m sharing a homemade recipe that mirrors everything you love about Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donut – from the soft, fluffy donut base to the decadent chocolate filling that tastes just like brownie batter.

How to make Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donut

A Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donut is a seasonal, limited-edition donut that Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) brings back, especially around Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

For the Donut Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• ½ tsp salt
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Brownie Batter Filling:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

For the Chocolate Glaze:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• Valentine’s Day sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Dough

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the eggs, softened butter, and the yeast mixture. Mix until the dough comes together.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter Filling

1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
2. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well to combine.
3. Gradually mix in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt until the mixture forms a thick, brownie-like batter. Set aside.

Step 3: Roll Out and Cut Donuts

1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thickness.
2. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the donuts. Or, if you prefer regular round donuts, use a circular cutter.
3. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined tray, cover with a cloth, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Step 4: Fry the Donuts

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or pot to 350°F.
2. Carefully fry the donuts in batches, flipping them halfway through, until golden brown on both sides (about 1-2 minutes per side).
3. Remove the donuts and let them cool on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Fill the Donuts

1. Once the donuts are cool, insert a piping tip into a pastry bag filled with the brownie batter filling.
2. Use the piping bag to fill each donut—be careful not to overfill, but make sure the brownie batter fills the center.

Step 6: Prepare the Chocolate Glaze

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter together in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and silky.
2. Dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze and let excess glaze drip off.
3. Before the glaze sets, sprinkle your donuts with Valentine’s sprinkles for added charm.

Tips for Success

• Proof Dough Properly: Ensure your dough rises adequately for soft, fluffy donuts. If your kitchen is cold, you can place the dough in a warm oven (turned off) to help it rise.
• Accurate Frying Temperature: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F — under-hitting or overheating will either make your donuts greasy or burnt.
• Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling the donut can result in messy leaks. Use a moderate piping amount to avoid this issue.
• Cool Before Glazing: Ensure donuts are fully cool before dipping in chocolate glaze to avoid melting the glaze unevenly.
• Experiment with Shapes: While Dunkin’s version is heart-shaped, you can get creative with other cutters like stars or circles to customize your donuts.

What to serve with

Dunkin’s Brownie Batter Donuts are indulgent treats that pair perfectly with a variety of beverages and sides to elevate your snacking or dessert experience.

• Classic Black Coffee: The donut’s sweetness and rich chocolate flavors pair beautifully with the bold, robust taste of black coffee. Opt for a medium to dark roast to balance the richness of the donut.
• Espresso Drinks: Lattes or cappuccinos with a touch of vanilla or caramel add a creamy counterpart to the donut’s brownie batter filling.
• Specialty Coffee: Serve with a flavored mocha or hazelnut brew if you want a more decadent pairing that matches the donut’s chocolate theme.

Ingredients Substitutes

Sometimes you might run out of key ingredients or want to customize the Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donuts to suit dietary preferences or personal tastes.

All-Purpose Flour → Gluten-Free Flour

If you’re avoiding gluten, you can swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. These blends are designed to mimic regular flour without affecting the texture.

Alternative: Almond flour or coconut flour can also be used, though you may need to adjust the ratios and add binders like xanthan gum or extra eggs.

Active Dry Yeast → Baking Powder

For quicker donut recipes or when yeast is unavailable, baking powder can be used to make a non-yeast dough. While the donuts won’t have the same airy texture, they will still be soft and flavorful.

Alternate Option: Use instant yeast if preferred; you can skip the activation step since instant yeast mixes directly into the dry ingredients.

Milk → Dairy-Free Milk

For those avoiding dairy, opt for plant-based milk alternatives.

• Almond milk: Subtle nuttiness and light flavor.
• Oat milk: Creamy and neutral flavor for soft, well-risen dough.
• Soy milk: Versatile substitute with similar protein content to regular milk.

Unsalted Butter → Plant-Based Butter or Oils

• Replace unsalted butter with vegan butter, margarine, coconut oil, or vegetable oil.
• Coconut oil (solid at room temperature) provides richness, while vegetable oil creates a lighter dough.

Eggs → Egg Replacements

For egg-free donuts, use one of the following substitutes:

• Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tbsp flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp water for each egg. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup applesauce; great for keeping the dough moist.
• Vinegar and Baking Soda: Combine 1 tsp baking soda with 1 tbsp vinegar for each egg replacement to assist with leavening.

Sugar → Alternative Sweeteners

If you’re looking for a sugar substitute:

• Brown Sugar: Adds a richer, molasses-like flavor compared to white sugar.
• Coconut Sugar: A natural, unrefined alternative that works well in dough.
• Liquid Sweeteners: Honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup can be used (reduce moisture elsewhere in the recipe).

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—homemade Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donuts that taste just as good (if not better!) than the original.

More Brownie Recipes:

• Cosmic Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
• Mocha Brownie Mudslide Blizzard Recipe