Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie Drink Recipe

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I couldn’t resist the urge to bring the essence of Dunkin’s beloved holiday treat into our homes. The Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie stands out as a beacon of holiday cheer, combining the boldness of coffee with the sweet, comforting notes of brown sugar and cookie butter. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience—a warm embrace on a cold day, a sip of nostalgia, and a testament to the joy of the season.

How to make Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie

The Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie is a seasonal menu item from Dunkin’ that typically appears during the colder months, often around the holidays.

Ingredients

• Cold Brew Coffee: 1 cup (or strong brewed coffee, chilled)
• Brown Sugar Syrup: 2 tablespoons (recipe below)
• Milk: ½ cup (can use any variety: dairy, almond, oat, etc.)
• Whipped Cream: For the topping
• Cookie Butter: 1 tablespoon + extra for drizzle
• Cookie Crumbles: For garnish (any crumbled sugar or gingerbread cookies will work)

Brown Sugar Syrup (Homemade)

• Brown Sugar: 1 cup
• Water: 1 cup
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon

Instructions

Step 1: Making Brown Sugar Syrup

1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and water.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
4. Let the syrup cool, then transfer it to a jar or bottle for storage.

Step 2: Assembling the Drink

1. Prepare Cold Brew Coffee: Brew cold brew coffee and chill it. For a quick alternative, strongly brew your favorite coffee and let it cool.

Mix the Beverage:

1. In a glass, combine chilled coffee and brown sugar syrup. Stir well.
2. Warm the milk slightly (just to take off the chill), then stir in a tablespoon of cookie butter until well incorporated.
3. Add the milk and cookie butter mixture to the glass.

Top and Garnish:

1. Top with whipped cream.
2. Drizzle some extra cookie butter over the whipped cream, and then sprinkle with cookie crumbles.

Tips for the Perfect Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie Drink

• Cold Brew vs. Hot Coffee: Cold brew is recommended for a richer, smoother flavor. However, hot coffee works if you prefer a warm drink.
• Customize Your Dairy: Experiment with different kinds of milk to see how they change the flavor profile. Full-fat milk is great for a richer texture; however, oat milk offers a lovely creaminess, too.
• Syrup Storage: Your homemade brown sugar syrup can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, perfect for making drinks anytime.
• Enhancing Flavors: To enhance the cookie flavor, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the syrup while it’s heating.

What to serve with

Pairing your homemade Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie drink with the right snacks and treats can elevate your snacking or dessert time during this festive season.

Classic Pairings

• Assorted Cookies: Since the drink already hints at cookie flavors, why not go all in? Offer a selection of sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and snickerdoodles. The variety will complement the cookie butter essence in the Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie.
• Miniature Scones: Small, bite-sized scones, particularly cinnamon or brown sugar ones, work beautifully with the coffee’s richness and the drink’s overall sweetness.

Breakfast or Brunch

• Cinnamon Rolls: The warm, spicy flavors of cinnamon rolls will perfectly match the sweet and comforting notes of your Brown Sugar Cookie drink.
• Croissants: If you’re leaning towards a lighter breakfast, buttery croissants can provide a wonderful contrast to the drink’s richness, creating a delicate balance between indulgence and simplicity.
• French Toast: For a sumptuous weekend brunch, serve the drink alongside French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar and a side of maple syrup. Elevate it by incorporating a hint of vanilla or almond extract into your French toast batter.

Dessert Combinations

• Cheesecake: A classic, rich cheesecake, plain or with a caramel drizzle, offers a creamy texture and a tangy contrast to the sweet and spiced drink.
• Apple Pie: The classic flavors of apple pie, with its flaky crust and spiced apple filling, pair wonderfully with the Brown Sugar Cookie drink, echoing the comfort and warmth of the holiday season.
• Pumpkin Pie: To stay within the realm of holiday flavors, pumpkin pie is a natural pairing. Its creamy texture and spice blend harmonize with the drink’s brown sugar and cookie butter notes.

Healthy Options

• Fruit Platter: For a healthier side, consider a platter of sliced apples, pears, and oranges. The fruits’ freshness and slight acidity can cut through the drink’s sweetness for a refreshing contrast.
• Nuts and Cheese Board: A small board with almonds, walnuts, and slices of cheese like brie or aged cheddar offers a sophisticated, savory counterpoint to the beverage, great for an afternoon gathering.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making a homemade version of Dunkin’s Brown Sugar Cookie drink, you have plenty of options to substitute ingredients based on dietary preferences, availability, or simply to customize the flavor to your liking.

Coffee or Espresso Base

• Regular Coffee/Espresso: If you usually use coffee, you can substitute it with espresso for a stronger, richer base, or vice versa depending on what you have on hand or your caffeine preference.
• Decaffeinated Coffee/Espresso: For those who are caffeine-sensitive, using decaffeinated coffee or espresso can be a great alternative.

Milk Options

• Whole Milk: This is typically used for the creamiest texture but can be replaced with any of the following depending on dietary needs or preference:
• Skim Milk or 2% Milk: For a lower fat option.
• Plant-Based Milk: For a vegan-friendly version, almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can be used. Each adds its own unique flavor to the drink; oat milk, for example, tends to be creamier and has a mildly sweet flavor that can complement the overall profile of the beverage.

Brown Sugar Syrup

• Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup: Combine equal parts of water and brown sugar in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra spice.
• Maple Syrup: For a different kind of sweetness, maple syrup can be a great substitute, but this will significantly change the flavor profile.

Cookie Butter Syrup

• Homemade Cookie Butter Syrup: You can make a simple syrup (as described for the brown sugar) and add a few teaspoons of cookie butter spread to it, allowing it to melt and blend into the mixture.
• Peanut Butter or Almond Butter: For a nuttier profile, melt these into your homemade syrup. This also offers an alternative for those with specific nut allergies (use almond butter for peanut allergies and vice versa).

Whipped Cream Top

• Regular Whipped Cream: Usually used, but can be substituted with:
• Low-Fat Whipped Cream: For a lighter option.
• Coconut Whipped Cream: Vegan and adds a subtly tropical flavor.
• Non-Dairy Whipped Topping: These are made from almond or soy for a dairy-free alternative.

Seasonings and Spices

• Cinnamon or Nutmeg: These can be used interchangeably or together based on what you have or your preference for spice levels.
• Pumpkin Spice: For a fall-flavored twist, substitute the cinnamon with pumpkin spice.
• Vanilla Extract: Add a splash to the coffee or the syrup to introduce a warm, aromatic component.

Cookie Crumbles Garnish

• Any Preferred Cookie Type: While a generic butter or sugar cookie complements the existing flavors, feel free to use what you like or have, even gluten-free or vegan cookies if needed.

Sugar-Free Alternatives

• Sugar-Free Syrups: If available, opt for sugar-free brown sugar and cookie butter syrups, or use stevia or a sugar substitute when making your homemade syrups.

Final Thoughts

Enjoy making and savoring your Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Cookie drink, a heartfelt, homemade treat that’s bound to bring a touch of Dunkin‘ joy into your winter days!

More Dunkin’ Recipes:

• Homemade Dunkin’ Halloween Donuts Recipe
• Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cold Brew Recipe