Every summer, Dunkin fans get a little starry-eyed over one donut. The Star Spangled Donut is bold, colorful, and filled with creamy vanilla sweetness, wrapped in a fluffy star-shaped dough and dipped in bright blue icing. It’s a Fourth of July favorite, but what if you want that festive treat beyond the fireworks? This copycat Star Spangled Donut recipe brings the bakery magic home.
Soft, airy dough. A smooth buttercream center. A blue glaze with a cheerful pop of red, white, and blue sprinkles. It’s surprisingly easy to recreate with just a few pantry staples and a little bit of shaping practice. Whether you’re prepping for a picnic or just want to celebrate a Tuesday, this donut will bring a little sparkle to your day.
Table of Contents
How to make Copycat Dunkin Star Spangled Donuts
Start with a classic yeast donut dough. After rising, you’ll cut it into stars using a cookie cutter. Each piece gets a second rise, a quick fry, and then a center full of buttercream. The final step is dunking each star into a blue glaze and giving it a generous sprinkle shower.
Prep Time: 2 hours (including rise)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cooling and decorating time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yield: 10 donuts
Calories per donut: approx. 320 kcal
Ingredients, instructions and tips
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ tsp)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 egg
For the vanilla buttercream filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the blue glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- A few drops of natural blue food coloring (or gel-based if preferred)
Topping:
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix warm milk with sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the egg and melted butter. Gradually mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Cut into stars: Once risen, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out donuts. Place on parchment paper and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Fry the donuts: Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry each donut for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Fill with buttercream: Beat butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla until fluffy. Use a piping bag with a small tip to inject filling into the center of each donut.
- Dip and decorate: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and food coloring to make glaze. Dip the top of each donut into the glaze and quickly add sprinkles before it sets.
Tips
- Use a medium-sized star cutter (about 3½ to 4 inches wide) for the classic look.
- Let donuts cool completely before filling to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Natural blue coloring may require more drops to reach a vivid hue.
What to serve with the dish
Pair your Star Spangled Donut with iced coffee, lemonade, or a frozen berry smoothie for a complete summer breakfast or snack. These donuts are also a festive hit when served on a red or blue platter at Fourth of July parties or picnics. They even make a fun dessert option for kids’ summer birthdays.
If you want to serve it as dessert, consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of strawberry sauce on the plate for that extra flair.
Ingredient substitutes
- Dough Base
Original Ingredient: All-purpose flour
Substitutes:
- Bread Flour: Yields chewier texture with more gluten structure.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Adds fiber and a nuttier taste. Use 50% white and 50% wheat for balance.
- Gluten-Free Blend: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix with xanthan gum.
- Buttercream Filling
Original Ingredient: Butter
Substitutes:
- Vegan Butter: For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter.
- Shortening: Provides more stability in warm weather, though less flavor.
- Cream Cheese: For a tangy twist, replace half the butter with softened cream cheese.
- Blue Glaze Color
Original Ingredient: Blue food coloring
Substitutes:
- Spirulina Powder: Natural and safe, but needs more mixing for a smooth tone.
- Butterfly Pea Flower: Create a natural blue extract for coloring.
- Skip It: Leave glaze white and add only the colored sprinkles.
- Sprinkles
Original Ingredient: Red, white, and blue jimmies
Substitutes:
- Colored Sugar Crystals: Add shimmer and crunch.
- Freeze-Dried Fruit Dust: Crushed raspberries or blueberries offer natural color and flavor.
- Coconut Flakes: Dye them with natural food colors for a tropical touch.
- Frying Oil
Original Ingredient: Vegetable oil
Substitutes:
- Canola Oil: Light and neutral, with a high smoke point.
- Peanut Oil: Adds depth, especially for nostalgic fairground taste.
- Air Fry Option: Brush with oil and bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes per side, though texture will differ.
- Sweetener in Glaze
Original Ingredient: Powdered sugar
Substitutes:
- Coconut Sugar (blended): Offers a caramel flavor, though less white in color.
- Monk Fruit Powder: Low-calorie option, adjust to taste.
- Maple Sugar: Fine ground, adds a warm note.
Ingredients
For the dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ tsp)
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup warm milk
1 egg
For the vanilla buttercream filling:
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1½ cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the blue glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
A few drops of natural blue food coloring (or gel-based if preferred)
Topping:
Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix warm milk with sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the egg and melted butter. Gradually mix in flour and salt until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Cut into stars: Once risen, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out donuts. Place on parchment paper and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
Fry the donuts: Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry each donut for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Fill with buttercream: Beat butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla until fluffy. Use a piping bag with a small tip to inject filling into the center of each donut.
Dip and decorate: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and food coloring to make glaze. Dip the top of each donut into the glaze and quickly add sprinkles before it sets.
