Ranking Every Doughnut at Dunkin' from Least to Most Delightful

Although Dunkin' has removed 'Donuts' from its name since 2019, the iconic pastries remain a staple in their over 14,000 global locations. The company's journey started in Quincy, Massachusetts, back in 1950, and has since incorporated a vast array of food options under the ownership of Inspire Brands. This conglomerate also owns popular chains like Arby’s and Sonic.

As a regular at Dunkin', I often just follow my cravings when picking doughnuts. However, on a quest to discover the ultimate Dunkin' doughnut, I visited a nearby outlet in Queens, determined to sample every single variety available. After trying 16 different kinds, here's how I'd rank them.

Least Impressive: The Glazed Blueberry Treat

Although I've tasted Dunkin's glazed blueberry treat before, it didn’t hold up this time. The blueberry flavor seemed more like a confectionary mimic rather than the real fruit, akin to artificially flavored mini muffins. Plus, an off-putting aftertaste set it apart negatively.

Overly Sweet: The Apple-Crumb Conundrum

Layered with vanilla coating, crumbs, and a sticky apple core, this doughnut was saccharine overload. It reminded me more of a fast-food apple pie, and while the crumb texture was appealing, the sugary icing tipped it over the edge.

Tasting Like a Twinkie: The Vanilla-Creme

Dusty with powdered sugar and filled with vanilla cream, this doughnut's texture was commendable but its flavor brought Twinkies to mind—more suitable for a sweet snack than a breakfast partner for my coffee.

The Strawberry-Frosted Shortfall

Among the frosted options adorned with sprinkles—strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate—my family and I liked the strawberry least. Even my four-year-old, captivated by all things pink and sparkly, veered toward other choices.

Vanilla Frosted: Bits of Blandness

Despite its vanilla title, the flavor was elusive, making this doughnut quite bland. While still a delight in the doughnut sense, it lacked excitement. Sparse sprinkles didn't win my family over, either.

Chocolate-Frosted: A Choice Pick

The chocolate-frosted option, with genuine cocoa in its coating, emerged as a standout. Normally, I find Dunkin's frostings a bit excessive, but this one was an exception, even for someone who doesn't habitually choose chocolate.

Limited Edition: The S'mores Experience

The limited-run s'mores doughnut combines chocolate frosting and graham cracker bits, with a marshmallow center resembling their vanilla cream. The chocolate topping outweighed the other flavors, with the graham crumbs falling short on crunch and taste.

A Coconut Surprise

Though often the last picked in any doughnut box, the coconut variant exceeded expectations. Its mild coconut flavor coupled with a unique texture would have me revisiting this choice in future office scenarios.

Jelly Doughnut: Sugar on Top

Curiously, Dunkin' keeps its jelly flavor a mystery, though it combines apple and raspberry hints. The sugar coating added a distinct crunchiness, complementing a fruity jelly and balancing the doughnut’s sweetness.

Family Favorite: The Bavarian Kreme

The Bavarian kreme, closely resembling its vanilla counterpart, emerged as a favorite for its neutral, off-white filling that enhanced the doughnut's moisture without making it overly sweet.

Appreciating the Double-Chocolate

Sporting a chocolate cake base, this variety’s frosting added little to the taste beyond extra sugar and slight messiness but retained a solid flavor due to its rich dough.

Boston Kreme's Timeless Appeal

This classic combines chocolate icing with Bavarian cream, working in harmony. Even my son, a strict chocolate enthusiast, found himself drawn to it over more chocolatey options.

Freshness in Simplicity: The Powdered Doughnut

Simple yet satisfying, the flour-dusted classic impressed me with its fresh taste, evoking nostalgic flavors from powdered desserts of old.

Old-Fashioned Charm

Contrary to my expectations, the old-fashioned doughnut’s understated allure won me over with its crispy edges and coffee-compatible nature.

Glazed Perfection: A Subtle Sweet

Often deemed uninspired, the soft, sweet doughnut with a gentle glaze became an unexpected hit, its flavor unforgettable without overwhelming.

Top of the List: The Glazed Chocolate Delight

From years of indulging, I anticipated the glazed chocolate to reign supreme. Despite trying numerous others, its mild cocoa taste, perfectly matched with glaze, proved irresistible.