I’ve always been blown away by Krispy Kreme’s legendary creations. But when they teamed up with Hershey’s for the ultimate Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts experience, my excitement hit a whole new level.

How to make Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts refers to a special lineup of doughnuts created by Krispy Kreme in collaboration with Hershey’s, the famous American chocolate brand.

Ingredients

For the Doughnuts:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup warm milk (110°F or about room temperature)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup warm water

For the Hershey’s Chocolate Glaze:

1 cup Hershey’s chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate, depending on preference)
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Additional Toppings:

Hershey’s Mini Chocolate Chips
Chocolate sprinkles
Grated Hershey’s chocolate bars
Crushed chocolate candies (optional)
About 3-4 cups vegetable oil or canola oil (for deep frying)

Instructions

1. Making the Dough:

Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and about 1 tablespoon of sugar from the measured amount. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it turns frothy. This ensures the yeast is active.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients: Add the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix everything until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough: Place it on a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for ease.
Let it rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

2. Shaping the Doughnuts:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Use a doughnut cutter (or a round cookie cutter with a smaller one for the hole) to cut out the doughnuts. Collect the scraps, re-roll, and cut more doughnuts.
Place the doughnuts on parchment paper-lined trays. Cover loosely, and let them rest again for about 30 minutes to rise slightly.

3. Frying the Doughnuts:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep pot or skillet to about 350°F (use a thermometer to monitor the temperature). Keep the oil at a consistent temperature.
Fry the doughnuts 2-3 at a time for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Remove the doughnuts from the oil and drain them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil.

4. Making the Hershey’s Chocolate Glaze:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the Hershey’s chocolate chips in 20-30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate on the stovetop using a double boiler.
Stir in the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until you have a rich, glossy glaze. If it’s too thick, add a bit more cream or milk until smooth.

5. Decorating the Doughnuts:

Dip each cooled doughnut into the Hershey’s chocolate glaze, ensuring the top gets fully coated. Let excess glaze drip off before placing the doughnut back onto the rack.
Sprinkle Hershey’s mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or grated Hershey’s chocolate on top for decoration while the glaze is still wet.

Tips for Making Perfect Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts:

Use fresh yeast: Make sure your yeast isn’t expired to ensure proper rising.
Keep oil temperature steady: Frying at the right temperature (around 350°F) prevents greasy doughnuts or ones that are uncooked inside.
Don’t overcrowd the fryer: Fry in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature.
Cool before glazing: Let the doughnuts cool completely before dipping them in the glaze to avoid melting or thinning the coating.
Experiment with toppings: Create your signature doughnut by adding crushed Hershey’s candies, drizzle white chocolate, or sprinkle chopped nuts for texture.

What to serve with

Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts are already a dream come true for chocolate and doughnut lovers. But when paired with the right sides or beverages, you can elevate your doughnut experience to a whole new level!

Hot Beverages:

Coffee: The slightly bitter notes of black coffee or espresso beautifully contrast the sugary, chocolatey richness of the doughnuts. If you prefer creamier options, a cappuccino, latte, or mocha also works wonderfully. If you’re feeling indulgent, try a flavored coffee like hazelnut or vanilla.
Hot Chocolate: Double the chocolatey goodness by pairing the doughnuts with a steamy cup of hot chocolate. Top the hot chocolate with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder or crushed Hershey’s chocolate for an extra treat.
Tea: Not into coffee? Pair your doughnuts with a cozy cup of tea. Black teas like Earl Grey or English Breakfast have robust flavors that can cut through the richness of the chocolate. For a lighter option, try green tea or a refreshing herbal blend like peppermint.

Cold Beverages:

Milk: A classic companion to any sweet treat, a cold glass of milk—whether whole, almond, or oat milk—pairs perfectly with the rich, chocolatey doughnuts. It’s a great option, especially for kids!
Iced Coffee or Cold Brew: Pair the sweetness of the doughnuts with the bold, smooth flavor of iced coffee or cold brew. Add a splash of caramel or vanilla syrup for an extra kick.
Milkshakes: Take indulgence to the next level by serving the doughnuts with a thick, creamy milkshake. A classic vanilla or chocolate milkshake will complement the doughnuts beautifully, or get creative with flavors like cookies and cream.

Ingredients Substitutes

Sometimes, you might not have certain ingredients at hand or need alternatives to suit dietary restrictions or preferences. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

All-Purpose Flour

Substitute with:

Whole Wheat Flour: If you want a healthier alternative, whole wheat flour can be used. Keep in mind that the texture will be slightly denser and nuttier, so replace only half of the all-purpose flour for a balanced result.
Gluten-Free Flour Blends: For gluten-free doughnuts, use a store-bought gluten-free flour blend that’s labeled as suitable for baking. Make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.
Almond Flour: Almond flour can work, but you’ll need to combine it with an additional binding agent (like eggs or xanthan gum) since it lacks gluten.

Instant Yeast

Substitute with:

Active Dry Yeast: Active dry yeast works just as well in place of instant yeast. Activate it by dissolving it in warm water with sugar and allowing it to foam for 5–10 minutes before adding it to the recipe. Adjust the proportions to match the amount needed in the recipe.
Baking Powder: For a quick, hassle-free doughnut recipe, you can replace yeast with baking powder. This eliminates the need for proofing and rising. However, doughnuts will have a slightly different texture—more cake-like than fluffy.

Granulated Sugar

Substitute with:

Light Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses to the dough and pairs beautifully with the Hershey’s chocolate glaze.
Honey or Maple Syrup: These natural sweeteners can be used, but remember to adjust the liquid content (reduce water or milk slightly) since they are liquid-based sweeteners.
Coconut Sugar: A healthier alternative with a richer flavor. It works well in the dough and adds a subtle caramel note.

Milk

Substitute with:

Non-Dairy Alternatives: Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk are all great substitutes. Choose unsweetened versions to avoid changing the sweetness levels in the dough.
Water + Powdered Milk: If you don’t have fresh milk, combine warm water with powdered milk according to package instructions for similar results.
Greek Yogurt + Water: In a pinch, you can mix water or milk with Greek yogurt to mimic the richness of milk.

Unsalted Butter

Substitute with:

Margarine: Works perfectly as a 1:1 substitute for butter.
Vegetable Oil: Use approximately 80% of what the recipe calls for in butter (e.g., use 3 tbsp oil for every 1/4 cup of butter). While oil won’t provide the same rich flavor as butter, it keeps the dough moist.
Coconut Oil: A healthier and plant-based alternative. Use refined coconut oil if you don’t want a strong coconut flavor.

Eggs

Substitute with (For Egg-Free Doughnuts):

Applesauce: Replace each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for added moisture and binding.
Flaxseed Meal: Combine 1 tbsp of flaxseed meal with 2 1/2 tbsp water to replace one egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes to form a gel-like texture.
Mashed Banana: You can use 1/4 cup of mashed banana per egg for a slightly fruity twist. This works best in sweeter recipes.

Final Thoughts

Serving Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts with the right sides or beverages enhances their indulgent, chocolatey flavor while offering variety for guests or family members.

More Doughnut Recipes:

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