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Making Dunkin’ Heart Shaped Donuts isn’t just about indulging in a delicious treat; it’s about crafting something that reminds you of the joy and warmth this holiday brings.
Table of Contents
How to make Dunkin’ Heart Shaped Donuts
Dunkin’ Heart Shaped Donuts are special, seasonal donuts that Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) makes around Valentine’s Day each year.
Ingredients
For the Donut Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm whole milk (approximately 110°F)
- ¼ cup warm water (approximately 110°F)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Neutral oil (such as vegetable oil or canola oil) for frying
Fillings and Toppings:
- Bavarian Kreme Filling (store-bought or homemade—see tip below!)
- Strawberry Jelly Filling or your preferred jam
- Powdered sugar for light dusting or glaze
- Strawberry or chocolate icing (optional)
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Activate the yeast: Combine the warm milk, water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy (a sign the yeast is working).
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs into the dry ingredients. Use a mixer fitted with a dough hook (or knead by hand) until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms—approximately 8–10 minutes.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow it to rise for 1–2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Shape the Donuts
- Roll the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
- Cut the hearts: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your donuts. If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, you can carefully shape them by hand with a knife.
- Second rise: Place the cut-out donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them lightly, and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Step 3: Fry the Donuts
- Heat the oil: Pour the neutral oil into a deep pan or fryer and heat it to 350°F.
- Fry: Gently place each donut into the hot oil (2–3 at a time) and fry for about 1–2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove from the oil and place on a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Fill and Decorate
- Fill the donuts: Using a piping bag fitted with a filling tip, insert Bavarian Kreme or strawberry jelly into the center of each donut. Make a small slit or hole and gently pipe the filling inside.
- Decorate: Top the donuts with strawberry icing, chocolate glaze, or powdered sugar. Add festive sprinkles for extra flair!
Tips for Perfect Dunkin’ Heart-Shaped Donuts
- Keep the oil temperature steady: Use a thermometer to monitor the frying oil temperature. Staying around 350°F ensures the donuts fry evenly without soaking up too much oil or burning.
- Homemade Bavarian Kreme: If you want to make your filling from scratch, whisk together heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla pudding mix to create a rich, creamy filling similar to Dunkin’s Bavarian Kreme. Chill it before filling the donuts.
- Customize the flavors: Get creative with your fillings and glazes! Chocolate ganache, raspberry jam, or even Nutella all make for delicious alternatives.
- Heart shape without a cutter: If you don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, use a round cutter to make circles and pinch the dough into a heart shape before frying.
- Don’t skip the second rise: letting the donuts rise again after shaping ensures a light, fluffy texture.
What to serve with
Dunkin’ Heart-Shaped Donuts are perfect Valentine’s Day treats, but pairing them with complementary sides can elevate the experience to a whole new level.
- Mocha Latte: Add rich chocolate syrup with whipped cream and sprinkles for a decadent pairing.
- Vanilla or Caramel Macchiato: Sweet, creamy flavors complement the sugary donuts beautifully.
- Strawberry Cold Foam Cold Brew: Garnish cold foam with pink sprinkles to make the drink festive, tying the Valentine theme together.
Ingredients Substitutes
Making Dunkin’ Heart-Shaped Donuts at home should be fun and accessible for everyone, even if you don’t have specific ingredients on hand!
1. All-Purpose Flour
Substitution:
- Whole Wheat Flour: Use 50/50 whole wheat and all-purpose flour to keep the donuts light while adding a hearty texture.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix for a gluten-free version. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill or Cup4Cup work well for maintaining fluffiness.
- Almond or Coconut Flour: For low-carb options, almond or coconut flour can be used, but the texture won’t be identical. You may need to adjust liquid ratios.
2. Active Dry Yeast
Substitution:
- Instant Yeast: You can use instant yeast in the same quantity as active dry yeast. Skip the activation step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: For quicker, no-rise donuts, use 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda instead. This works for cake-style donuts rather than yeasted ones.
3. Granulated Sugar
Substitution:
- Brown Sugar: Adds a slightly deeper, molasses-like flavor.
- Coconut Sugar: A natural alternative with a similar sweetness, perfect for a healthier option.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Use ¼ cup honey or maple syrup for every ⅓ cup of sugar in the dough blend. Reduce the water slightly to balance the liquid.
4. Whole Milk
Substitution:
- Plant-Based Milk (Almond, Oat, Soy): These work beautifully in the recipe for dairy-free donuts. Make sure the milk is unsweetened to avoid altering the overall flavor.
- Evaporated Milk: Mix with equal parts water for a creamy substitute.
- Water with Heavy Cream: Combine ⅓ cup water and ¼ cup heavy cream for a richness similar to whole milk.
5. Butter
Substitution:
- Margarine: A straightforward swap for butter. Ensure it’s unsalted if you’re following the recipe closely.
- Coconut Oil: Use equal parts melted coconut oil for a dairy-free or vegan alternative; it’ll add a hint of coconut flavor.
- Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: These neutral oils work well for softer baked goods without changing the taste much.
6. Eggs
Substitution:
- Flaxseed Meal or Chia Seeds: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 2–3 tablespoons of water per egg replacement. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Use ¼ cup applesauce per egg for moisture. It’s perfect for making donuts softer and slightly sweeter!
- Yogurt: For every egg, replace it with ¼ cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt. This makes the donuts tender, but avoid flavored versions to preserve the original taste.
Final Thoughts
With this Dunkin’ Heart Shaped Donuts recipe, you’ll have your very own batch of Dunkin’-style Heart-Shaped Donuts that are sure to impress your friends, family, or special someone. They’re not only delicious but also a fun and thoughtful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
More Dunkin Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Donut Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm whole milk
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Neutral oil
Fillings and Toppings:
- Bavarian Kreme Filling
- Strawberry Jelly Filling or your preferred jam
- Powdered sugar for light dusting or glaze
- Strawberry or chocolate icing
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Activate the yeast: Combine the warm milk, water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy (a sign the yeast is working).
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs into the dry ingredients. Use a mixer fitted with a dough hook (or knead by hand) until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms—approximately 8–10 minutes.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow it to rise for 1–2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Shape the Donuts
- Roll the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
- Cut the hearts: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your donuts. If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, you can carefully shape them by hand with a knife.
- Second rise: Place the cut-out donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them lightly, and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Step 3: Fry the Donuts
- Heat the oil: Pour the neutral oil into a deep pan or fryer and heat it to 350°F.
- Fry: Gently place each donut into the hot oil (2–3 at a time) and fry for about 1–2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove from the oil and place on a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Fill and Decorate
- Fill the donuts: Using a piping bag fitted with a filling tip, insert Bavarian Kreme or strawberry jelly into the center of each donut. Make a small slit or hole and gently pipe the filling inside.
- Decorate: Top the donuts with strawberry icing, chocolate glaze, or powdered sugar. Add festive sprinkles for extra flair!
