Tulo

Copycat Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins Bucket Recipe

A red plastic bucket overflowing with mini donut holes coated in cinnamon-sugar, vanilla glaze, and chocolate glaze, spilling onto a wood table.
Photo by Christina & Peter on Pexels

Baking the donut holes in a mini muffin pan instead of deep-frying gives the same tender, cakey Munchkins texture with a fraction of the mess, and buttermilk keeps the crumb soft enough that all three coatings (cinnamon-sugar, vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze) taste like the real thing.

Prep
25 min
Cook
12 min
Total
50 min
Servings
6

Ingredients

Servings6
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg, large
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, for glaze
  • 3 tbsp milk, for glaze
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon, for coating

Nutrition per serving

Calories
416
Protein
7g
Carbs
76g
Fat
10g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan (or two 12-cup pans).
  2. 2Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
  3. 3In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. 4Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until no dry streaks remain; the batter will be thick and slightly lumpy.
  5. 5Divide the batter evenly among the mini muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. A small cookie scoop keeps the donut holes uniform in size.
  6. 6Bake 10-12 minutes, until domed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
  7. 7For cinnamon-sugar donut holes: while they're still warm, brush a batch with the remaining melted butter and roll in a mix of the ground cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar.
  8. 8For vanilla and chocolate glaze: whisk the powdered sugar with the milk until smooth and pourable; split the glaze in half and whisk the cocoa powder into one half. Dip the cooled (not warm) donut holes top-down into each glaze, let the excess drip off, and set on the rack until the glaze sets, about 15 minutes.
  9. 9Once all the coatings have set, pile the donut holes into a large bucket or bowl lined with parchment or a napkin for serving.

Tips & variations

  • Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the batter; it fills the mini muffin cups evenly so all the donut holes finish baking at the same time.
  • No mini muffin pan? Bake in a standard muffin pan filled a third full for larger 'donut hole' bites, adding 3-4 minutes to the bake time.
  • For a Halloween-bucket presentation, toss a few plain glazed donut holes in orange and black sprinkles before the glaze sets.
  • Swap the nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice for a fall version, or add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the vanilla glaze for a bakery-style finish.

Storage & reheating

Store finished donut holes in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days once glazed. Bring to room temperature before serving; the glaze can weep slightly if served cold straight from the fridge. They don't freeze well once glazed, but the plain baked donut holes freeze up to 2 months and can be coated after thawing.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Weigh out the coatings before starting the glaze so you can dip fast while the donut holes are still slightly warm from cooling, not hot; the icing sets faster on a barely-warm surface than a fully cold one.
  • If the glaze seizes up while dipping, whisk in milk a teaspoon at a time until it thins back out; it firms as it sits.

FAQ

What is the Dunkin' Donuts bucket?

It's a seasonal promotional item, most often around Halloween, where Dunkin' sells a plastic bucket filled with a set number of Munchkins (their bite-size donut holes) for trick-or-treating or parties. Availability and flavors vary by location and season.

Can this recipe be deep-fried instead of baked?

Yes. Drop rounded teaspoons of the same batter into 350°F oil and fry 1-2 minutes per side until golden, then drain on paper towels before coating. The baked version is softer and less greasy but the fried version is closer to Dunkin's actual texture.

How far ahead can these be made for a party?

Bake the plain donut holes up to a day ahead and store airtight at room temperature, then glaze or coat them in cinnamon-sugar the morning of the party so the coating stays fresh and doesn't turn tacky.

Why did my donut holes come out dense instead of light?

Old baking powder is the usual cause; it loses potency after about 6 months open. Test it by dropping a pinch into hot water: it should fizz vigorously, or it needs replacing.

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