Dunkin' Donuts' New Cinnamon Twists
Just Another Basket on the Donut Wall
Dunkin' Donuts Cinnamon Twists, advertised and actual.
When building out their menus, fast-food chains are better off sticking to what they know. Domino’s Pizza doing pasta? A little scary. McDonald’s making pizza? Kind of a joke.
But when Dunkin’ Donuts starts promoting a new breakfast pastry, it’s probably a safer bet. For a limited time, many DDs are offering icing-topped Cinnamon Twists ($1.39), which can be served toasted. It's slightly funny timing with spring heating up (and iced coffee weather creeping in) but cinnamon never really goes out of season.
About six inches long, the Cinnamon Twist looks like four little cinnamon rolls melded together, sparingly drizzled with sweet icing. If you like any of DD’s twisted pastries, you’ll be a fan—slightly denser doughnut dough, with a few streaks of cinnamon, and not enough icing to get in the way.
If you’re going to eat it right away, order it toasted, for a little bit of crunch and melty icing. The warmed-up version reminded me of those Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, the ones that pop out of the can, that I’d make on Sunday mornings as a kid.
Basically, the Cinnamon Twist is just another doughnut—not crunchy or yeasty the way “real” cinnamon rolls tend to be. While the spice winds through the pastry, there’s no satisfying cinnamon goo, and though icing dials up the sweetness, it doesn’t add much flavor of its own.
But as a cinnamon lover, I appreciate this addition to the menu. And I also like the idea of a fast-food cinnamon treat that doesn’t trigger a twelve-hour sugar high. Though it’s hardly a wholesome breakfast, the 210-calorie Cinnamon Twist is nowhere near the sugar bomb of an 1,100-calorie Cinnabon. Or even DD’s own muffins.
So if you’re looking to branch out of your normal Dunkin’ morning routine, give the Cinnamon Twist a try. You probably won't be disappointed. Like Dunkin’ Donuts itself, it’s nothing life-changing—but it’s there, it’s reliable, and it’s not half-bad.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
10 Comments:
Looks pretty good, but super-heavy. I don't think I'd be able to eat more than a couple bites. I had a really amazing homemade toasted cinnamon bun from Bush Meadow Farm in CT this past weekend, though. Highly recommended.
maxcriden at 10:08AM on 05/05/09
Dunkins is coming to Houston, but may I predict, they will not stay. Krispy Kreme gave it the ole college try before fleeing the area. Local Shipley's Donuts reigns supreme. I tried Dunkin in Maine on a recent trip. The cherry iced donut tasted like a lab experiment.
lambowner at 10:11AM on 05/05/09
wow, my first thought was : ' i don't even want to think how many calories are in that thing'. but 210! that's less than most things on the menu! my dunkin donuts in my neighborhood is a complete disaster, but i might have to make a stop :)
in dubious batter at 12:15PM on 05/05/09
i'm not so sure it's really 210. It's just too good to be true. Maybe it's 210 per servving and this item is probably at least 2 servings.
gargupie at 1:23PM on 05/05/09
Dunkin' Donuts usually run around 210-350 calories each (with some exceptions)--ironically, the bagels and muffins are much higher in calories. Donuts are pretty small, hence their lower calorie count.
HeartofGlass at 1:49PM on 05/05/09
Mmm. Wish I had a DD around. We have lots of independent donut shops around here, but all their coffee is crap, and you can't eat a cinnamon twist like that without some good, strong bitter black coffee.
lyricanjl at 2:27PM on 05/05/09
Yes does not look like 210 to me! I wish we had independent donut shops around here (NYC). One of the great reasons to visit LA. Dunkin Donuts just does not compare!
For my cinnamon fix I like an Auntie Anne's cinnamon pretzel.
cesnyc at 4:12PM on 05/05/09
I believe the 210. They're actually really small, despite the photos. Same size as a doughnut, or smaller.
justjoan at 8:11PM on 05/05/09
justjoan is right, they are a pretty small pastry, and one twist = one serving. That being said, I tried them this weekend with an iced coffee and it hit the spot if you want a light breakfast - the twists are served warm, and they're really light (a lot like the donuts).
terplinz at 11:11AM on 05/07/09
They're not that good... I tried them but won't buy them again
ronzoni at 10:24AM on 05/08/09