Copycat Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts Recipe

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The Super Bowl isn’t just about touchdowns, legendary halftime performances, or hosting game-day parties—it’s also about indulgent treats that add to the excitement of the day. This year, why settle for store-bought snacks when you can have fun recreating them at home? Inspired by the iconic Krispy Kreme Super Bowl donuts, I’ve crafted a homemade recipe that transforms your kitchen into the ultimate donut factory.

How to make Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts

Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts (aka the Big Game Dozen) is a limited-time, football-themed donut offering and deal from Krispy Kreme tied to Super Bowl weekend 2026 (Feb 6–8).

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (warm)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration (Optional):

• Chocolate icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Colored sprinkles
• White icing (for piping football stitches)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and a pinch of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it dissolve for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the activated yeast, remaining granulated sugar, warm milk, butter, and egg.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough begins to form. Knead the dough on a floured surface or using a dough hook on low speed until it’s smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, roughly 1-2 hours.

2. Shape the Donuts:

1. Roll Out Dough: Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness.
2. Cut Shapes: Use a football-shaped cutter or a regular donut cutter to shape the dough. Re-roll scraps as needed to minimize waste.
3. Second Rise: Transfer the shaped donuts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and allow them to rise again until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.

3. Fry the Donuts:

1. Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or large heavy pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry Donuts: Carefully place a few donuts into the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.

4. Glaze and Decorate:

1. Prepare Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Glaze the Donuts: While the donuts are still warm, dip each donut into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place them on a wire rack to set.
3. Decorate: Use chocolate icing to decorate some donuts to resemble footballs. Pipe white icing to create the stitches. For others, sprinkle colored sprinkles to match your team’s colors.

Tips for Perfect Donuts

• Temperature Matters: Ensure your water and milk are at the right temperature to activate the yeast properly; too hot can kill the yeast, too cold may not activate it fully.
• Check Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft but not sticky. Adjust with small amounts of flour or milk as needed during kneading.
• Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to maintain a consistent oil temperature for even frying.
• Customizing Flavors: Feel free to infuse the dough or glaze with flavors like cinnamon or almond extract for an extra twist.

What to serve with

Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts are already a show-stopping treat, but pairing them with complementary beverages and snacks can elevate your game-day menu to the next level.

1. Hot Coffee and Lattes: The classic pairing of donuts and coffee is unbeatable. Offer a variety of coffee options such as regular black coffee, flavored lattes, or a sweet mocha.

2. Hot Chocolate or Cocoa: Serve rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream. This pairs particularly well with the donuts if they’re glazed or decorated with chocolate icing.

3. Milk (Classic and Flavored): Keep it simple with chilled milk for a nostalgic, kid-friendly pairing. You can also serve flavored milk options like strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla.

4. Iced Tea or Sweet Tea: Unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea balances the sweetness of the donuts. Sweet tea, with its Southern flair, works wonderfully for larger gatherings.

5. Fruity Mocktails: Offer refreshing mocktails such as strawberry lemonade, mango spritz, or berry-infused water. The tangy fruit flavors will complement the rich sweetness of the Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts.

Ingredients Substitutes

These swaps will help ensure that you can still create delicious Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts while making adjustments based on your needs.

1. Active Dry Yeast

• Instant Yeast: You can substitute active dry yeast with instant yeast. Since instant yeast has finer granules, you don’t need to dissolve it in warm water first—just mix it directly into the flour with the other dry ingredients. Use the same quantity (2 1/4 teaspoons or 1 packet).
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: If you’re out of yeast, you can make baked donuts instead of fried ones. Use 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in the dough for a lighter, cake-like texture.

2. Milk

• Plant-Based Milk: Replace regular milk with alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Choose unsweetened varieties to avoid altering the donut’s sweetness.
• Water: If you’re out of milk, warm water can replace it in equal portions. Add 1-2 teaspoons of butter or oil to mimic the richness of milk.
• Evaporated Milk or Cream: Dilute evaporated milk with water (1:1 ratio) for a similar consistency to regular milk.

3. Unsalted Butter

• Salted Butter: Simply use salted butter if unsalted isn’t available and reduce the salt in the recipe by 1/4 teaspoon.
• Vegetable Oil: Swap unsalted butter for an equal amount of vegetable oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, or any neutral-flavored cooking oil. Just note that the dough might be slightly less rich.
• Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil for a dairy-free option and a hint of coconut flavor.

4. Egg

• Flaxseed Meal (Vegan Substitute): Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes. This mixture works as a binding agent in the dough.
• Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce as a substitute for 1 egg. It adds moisture and works well for vegan-friendly donuts.
• Mashed Banana: Mash 1/4 cup ripe banana to substitute for an egg, though it will impart a mild banana flavor to your donuts.

5. All-Purpose Flour

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Use a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour substitute. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill offer reliable blends that replicate all-purpose flour.
• Whole Wheat Flour: You can replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that the donuts may be denser. For a lighter texture, swap only half the flour with whole wheat.
• Cake Flour: Substitute all-purpose flour with cake flour for a softer, fluffier donut texture.

6. Granulated Sugar

• Brown Sugar: You can use an equal amount of light or dark brown sugar in place of granulated sugar. Brown sugar adds a touch of molasses flavor and makes the donuts slightly more moist.
• Coconut Sugar: For a less processed option, coconut sugar works well as a 1:1 substitute and imparts a mild caramel flavor.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: If you prefer liquid sweeteners, use 3 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup for 1/4 cup of granulated sugar in the recipe. Adjust the liquid ingredients slightly to maintain dough consistency.

Final Thoughts

Now you’re all set to impress your guests with these delightful game-day treats. Enjoy your homemade Krispy Kreme Super Bowl Donuts!

More Donuts Recipes:

• Krispy Kreme Hershey’s Doughnuts Recipe
• Copycat Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Donuts Recipe