When Dunkin’ dropped the “Donuts” from its name, I never would have guessed good ol’ Ronald would be the one to stumble over from the 2 am drive-thru line and try to pick it up.
Sure, McDonald’s added several baked goods to its McCafe menu last year, which is clearly competing with Dunkin’ and Starbucks for morning notoriety, but a donut at McDonald’s? It all feels a little too “dreams do come true” for my Standard American Diet heart to handle. But that’s exactly where we are with McDonald’s first Limited Time Only offering to its McCafe Bakery menu: the Glazed Pull Apart Donut.
The donut is described as light and airy and coated in a delicious, sweet glaze. Visually and conceptually, a bunch of donut holes all shoved together in a pull apart fashion, I love this donut. In terms of its execution, it’s just okay. Before I go any deeper, can we address the elephant in the room — why wasn’t this called the McDonut? Gold.
I asked the cashier if it’s served warm like the Cinnamon Roll, and she said they could warm it if I wanted, which I opted out of so I could try both ways when I got home. At room temperature, the donut is relatively firm but soft — it doesn’t give under the pressure of my fingers but has a gentle and slightly bouncy chew.
The fluffy texture of the yeasty dough reminds me of the bun on McChicken in the best way. It has that artificial squish akin to Wonder Bread, and I find it endearing in this context. The sweetness of the glaze is relatively mild with a vanilla flare and a touch of salt. I get much more of a fried bread flavor than I was expecting for a fully glazed doughnut; it’s kind of savory when compared to Dunkin’ or especially Krispy Kreme, and I wish it were a touch sweeter.
Warmed up, it tastes mostly the same but has a softer and almost melty texture that helps tame some of the more bready notes that jump out at room temperature. The heat helps activate the sweetness, and I found myself nodding my head in approval — this is what I was looking for. I’m not usually one to warm my pastries unless it seems absolutely necessary, and in this case, I 100% recommend it.
The biggest point of intrigue is the center — is it the best part like a cinnamon roll? Yes, yes, it is. While it doesn’t reach the same ooey-gooey heights that the center of a Cinnabon does, it is softer and a bit more glaze-soaked than the outer wannabe Munchkins are and delivers deliciously sweet satisfaction.
As fun as it was to devour an entire family of donut holes, picking them off one by one like a 90s slasher movie antagonist, I can’t help but wonder how much better it could have been if it were just a touch sweeter and softer. I enjoyed the McDonald’s donut experience, but unless I’m already in line with a massive craving for a donut on the side of my Big Mac, I have zero inclination to go out of my way to eat it again, no matter how fun the form factor is.
Purchased Price: $1.79
Size: N/A
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 donut) 310 calories, 17 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 280 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 15 gram of sugar, 4 grams of protein.
Warmed up it is! Krispy Kreme is best served warm, so it makes sense that the McDonut (hat tip) would be too.
Have a crazy desire to buy two and slap a quarter pounder on there, but that seems like a delicious slippery slope from which there is no return…
I will never understand the desire for hot donuts. I have had KK when they are hot and fresh, but taste much better after they have cooled off IMO.
Generally I 100% agree with you. I like my pastries room temp as the flavor is deeper and more rich when settled, BUT, this bread-y behemoth took it up a notch when soft n warm 🙂
You’ve lost your taste buds then! Or you’re just cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! Krispy Kreme doughnuts are excellent when they are hot or warmed up and they go great with a cup of coffee! You definitely need to see a doctor because there’s something definitely wrong with your taste!!
i tried it yesterday and was quite happy with it. didn’t warm it, mostly out of sheer laziness, but i’ll try it that way next time. got myself a happy meal too, so i had a nice little jug of cold milk to go with it and it was A+.
I tried them yesterday too! I was extremely impressed.
I was a little surprised that they weren’t hot when I opened them, seeing as how they were served in a box that said something along the lines of “caution:hot.”
Boy, McD’s certainly is nervous about more lawsuits, after that scalding coffee suit from years ago . . . . 😉
Hehehe. I don’t know if it really is true or not and I just read an article on NPR’s website entitled, “Feds Are Reportedly Looking Into Why McDonald’s Ice-Cream Machines Are Always Busted.” They’ve got to safe-guard themselves now!
Weirdly low score for something that “delivers deliciously sweet satisfaction.”
That was just the center! Which accounts for 1/6 of the donut. I wrestled between a 6 and a 7 but ultimately fell on 6 because I truly will never buy this again. KK, DD, and all mom and pop shops have a better product for a similar or lower price.
These look a bit dry and sad TBH. I cannot imagine cold, dry, bready “donut” holes getting higher than a 6; good call.
I would imagine that it has to due with the overall experience which is summed up in this line: ” but unless I’m already in line with a massive craving for a donut on the side of my Big Mac, I have zero inclination to go out of my way to eat it again, no matter how fun the form factor is.”
This really just makes me wish that the nearest Quiktrip was closer than 15 miles away.
Apparently most of you must work for McDonald’s or McDonald’s has compensated y’all real well! Because there’s no way in Hades these donuts are worth around $2.00! Plus it’s dry and it taste horrible!! Krispy Kreme here I come!!!!