How to Make a Copycat Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkaccino

What do you get when you mix hot chocolate and coffee? You get a delicious concoction known as a “Dunkaccino!”

Today’s post covers precisely what a Dunkaccino tastes like and how you can make one yourself at home. Ready? Let’s get to it!

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What is a Dunkaccino?

A Dunkaccino is one of many delectable coffee drinks initially created by Dunkin’ Donuts.

If you’re entirely new to the concept, check out this commercial starring Al Pacino.

The famous coffee shop franchise makes its signature hot Dunkaccino with Dunkaccino powder with ingredients like nonfat dry milk, whey powder, and soy lecithin.

But I will show you how to easily recreate it at home with simple ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard.

What does a Dunkaccino taste like?

This drink tastes like a grown-up version of hot chocolate. It’s rich, creamy, and delightful whether you choose the hot, iced, or blended version.

What’s in a Dunkaccino?

The drink is a combination of coffee and hot chocolate. But the ingredients are interchangeable, depending upon your taste preference and what you have on hand.

For the coffee portion, you can choose:

1 or 2 espresso shots
1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee
1/2 cup cold brew coffee
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

If you like a stronger coffee flavor, go with the espresso or regular coffee brewed to twice the strength you would typically brew. You can add regular brew or instant coffee granules for less coffee flavor.

For the hot cocoa portion, you can choose:

2 tablespoons pre-mixed hot cocoa + 1 cup milk
Homemade hot cocoa (recipe below)

The advantage of choosing premixed hot chocolate is convenience.

But making your own hot cocoa has the advantage of ingredient control. You have the option of adding more or less sugar or chocolate to satisfy your exact preferences.

Whether you make your own hot chocolate or opt for premixed, using milk to constitute it will add a delightful creaminess unmatched by water.

And you have the option of choosing whatever kind of milk you prefer. Half-and-half or whole milk will give you a richer drink, while skim milk helps you cut a few calories.

If you can’t have dairy, try non-dairy milk. You can also try almond or coconut milk, adding a slightly nutty flavor to the drink.

Hot Cocoa Recipe

2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar, depending on how sweet you like the drink
1 cup milk

Add ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and use a whisk to combine ingredients. Heat to your desired temperature.

If you’re making the iced or blended version, you will still need to heat the milk, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar to properly mix the ingredients and get the best consistency.

How do you make a Dunkaccino?

For the hot version:

Decide whether you will use premixed cocoa or make your own. If you use the premixed, combine the milk and mix in a saucepan and heat to your desired temperature.

Brew the coffee and add it to the hot cocoa. Add in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and give it a final stir before topping it with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. Enjoy!

For the iced version:

Decide whether you will use premixed cocoa or make your own. If you use the premixed, combine the milk and mix in a saucepan and heat to your desired temperature.

Allow the cocoa to cool. Brew the coffee and allow it to cool as well.

If you’re a morning coffee drinker, you could brew extra and put it in the fridge for later.

Once the coffee and cocoa have cooled, pour it into your favorite cup filled halfway with ice. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and give it a final stir before topping it off with whipped cream.

Give it a mocha drizzle, and enjoy! You could also try my simple copycat recipe for Soft Top, a delicious drink topper that looks like white frosting.

For the blended version:

Make the hot chocolate and the coffee, allowing each to cool.

Once cool, add both to the blender with 1/2 cup ice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Add 1 teaspoon of either xanthan gum or chia seeds to get that creamy texture of a frappuccino. You could also try using 1/2 avocado to get the same creamy texture.

Blend together and enjoy your frozen Dunkaccino creation!

If you use instant coffee for any variations, constitute with 1/2 cup milk before adding in the hot cocoa. Use either warm or cold milk, depending upon which type of Dunkaccino you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of coffee is in a Dunkaccino?

Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants use Dunkaccino powder to make the drink; however, you can use whatever coffee you have on hand to make the drink.

A medium roast with a stronger brew than you typically brew works well. You can also try k-cup pods. Flavored coffee might add a delicious twist to the original as well.

If you’d like to make your own cold brew, check out my previous post about brewing your own cold brew. You can also use either homemade or from-the-store cold brew coffee.

Espresso also works exceptionally well in the Dunkin Donuts Dunkaccino. Since the volume of a shot is small, the total drink size will be smaller than with the other coffee types. Feel free to make up the difference with extra hot chocolate.

Can you make a sugar-free version of the Dunkaccino?

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Yes, you can buy a sugar-free hot cocoa mix. You could also try a homemade version made with Stevia instead of sugar.

Either option is a great way to decrease the grams of sugar you eat daily, as the sugar content for most Dunkaccino-inspired flavors is high.

Final Thoughts

If you love hot cocoa, then the Dunkaccino is the perfect drink! The chocolate flavors of the hot cocoa blend deliciously well with the rich flavors of espresso for a drink that’s delectable any time of year.

And who knows? It just might become your new favorite drink!

If you loved this post, check out a few of my other delicious recipes!

How to Make a Copycat Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkaccino

What is a Dunkaccino?

What does a Dunkaccino taste like?

What’s in a Dunkaccino?

Hot Cocoa Recipe