Photo adapted from Bryan Ochalla’s The Donut Duel via Creative Commons.
The first Friday in June is National Donut Day, making today, June 6, D-Day.
Whether you spell it donut or doughnut, they’re still irresistible. That means you need to celebrate! Celebrations include free donuts at many donut shops, but you can do more than eat them. Keep reading for fun ways to celebrate National Donut Day!
1. Learn how this revered pastry came to America in The Donut: History, Recipes, and Lore from Boston to Berlin by Michael Krondl. Did you know that donuts have Spanish, French, and even German connections. Different parts of the United States adapted their culture’s version of donuts into how we know them today: round with a hole in the middle. Make sure you have donuts on hand before reading this book. You’ve been warned.
2. Now that you’re craving one, pick up a free donut! If you have one of the following stores in your area, it’s definitely worth a stop for free donut(s) and some coffee!
- My favorite donut shop Krispy Kreme is offering customers a free donut, no purchase necessary, but you won’t be able to stop at one. They’re light and airy and melts in your mouth like butter. The kids love watching the donuts cook as much as I love that “Hot Donuts Now” sign in the window.
- Dunkin’ Donuts is offering a free donut with a purchase of any beverage, “while supplies last.” Though if they ran out of donuts, they should be ashamed.
- Shipley Do-nuts is offering customers a free donut and a free small coffee. However, you only get glazed and you must show up between 5am and 12pm.
- Tim Hortons will give each customer a donut with any in-store purchase.
- Winn Dixie (a southern grocery chain) are giving away a free jumbo donut holes. There is a limit of one donut (hole?) for guest, per store, per visit.
3. Bake your own donuts using a box cake mix. Try this recipe for Pink Lemonade Sprinkled Donuts from Mama Harris’ Kitchen. She tweaks the mix to create a lighter cake donut. Mouthwatering!
4. I wasn’t sure that the beignet would qualify as a donut but after reading The Donut, it definitely does. The Louisiana dough squares are fried and drenched in powdered sugar. I have many fond memories eating them for brunch after our Sunday church service. If you live in Louisiana, eat some for me. The ones above are called “beignet fingers,” which are basically cut into strips before they’re fried.
5. Make your own beignets. I know I’m giving them two spots on this list, but they deserve it. Make them from scratch or use a mix like Beignet Mix By Cafe Du Monde. We’ve made beignets using this mix and they were almost as good as the ones from New Orleans.
6. You make Fastnachts, a Pennsylvania Dutch treat eaten on Shrove Tuesday (what we Louisianians call Mardi Gras). According to The Donut, fastnachts might have been the predecessor of beignets. Fastnachts are traditionally dipped in glaze or coated in cinnamon sugar. Try the simple fastnachts recipe from How I Pinch A Penny.
7. Bob for donuts. It’s a game where everyone wins! Tie a string ribbon around a donut and hang them up. Contestants must eat the donuts without using their hands. It’s a great game to play outside. Just tie the donuts to a tree!
8. Grab the kids and play the Cyberchase Double the Donuts game on PBS Kids. It’s educational and fun, even for virtual donuts.
9. What is a celebration without decorations? Check out this cute DIY Donut Garland from The House That Lars Built. You just print the template, cut, and string. Even the kids can help with this one!
10. Put those mate-less socks to good use by turning them into a no-sew stuffed toy donut (video).
How do you plan to celebrate National Donut Day?
This post contains affiliate links.