In-House Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series Flavors Sampling Party Highlights #sponsored #DunkinAtHome

Disclosure: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Dunkin’ Donuts. I received product samples to facilitate my In-Home party as well as a promotional item to thank me for participating.

"The makers of Dunkin’ Donuts® bagged coffee are on a roll, introducing NEW Cinnamon 

Coffee Roll Flavored Coffee, the latest addition to the Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series® line 

available at grocery stores"

When it comes to sending the kids back to school each year, do you have any special things you do to celebrate the first day of school? Back when I was growing up, the neighborhood kids would gather an hour before the bus came to play tag and then snack on muffins or baked goods one of the parents would make.  Then, as we were loading the bus, the moms would gather at my mom's house and have coffee and talk about summer memories, who each of us had for teachers that year, and plans for the fall/winter. I oftentimes wondered if the parents were more excited about the kids going back to school than the kids were, as they always looked forward to this coffee break.  

And, then on half days where we would get out early, the moms would meet up again for coffee before we arrived home. Then, when we got home, we would all go for lunch at the local pizza shop, or spend the afternoon at the local playground, or just hang around our backyard.  

Well, this year was the first year that Savannah was heading off to school, and it was a big change and milestone, that I wanted to enjoy, but also needed support from friends, as I could see that she was growing up and wasn't going to be my little girl anymore.  A couple of my friends, who have children a few years older than Savannah suggested a coffee meetup, like we used to do back in the day.  I thought this was a great idea, and invited 7 moms over to celebrate the kids returning back to school, and the year ahead.   This meetup couldn't have come at a better time as I was sent samples of Dunkin' Donuts Bakery Series Coffees to sample, and asked to host an in-house party.  I thought this meetup of my girlfriends would be the perfect opportunity, as we all love coffee, and most probably didn't sleep the night before nervous about the kids' first days, as well as our separation anxiety of not having them home all day with us.  

I waited until they arrived to tell them about the sampling party, which included the latest addition to the Bakery Series lineup, Cinnamon Coffee Roll.  

Currently, you can find this new blend, as well as Chocolate Glazed Donut, Blueberry Muffin, Jelly Donut, Old Fashioned Donut and Caramel Coffee Cake at your favorite local grocery store, down the coffee aisle.

I ended up brewing up a few of the above flavors offered from the Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series Coffees, as I wanted to save a few for Saturday when the grandparents, aunt and other close friends were coming over to celebrate Savannah's big milestone - preschool. During this gathering, I brewed up each of the six Bakery Series Coffee flavors, and had a tasting party to see which was the favorite amongst everyone.  Having hosted my girlfriends a few days before and hearing how much they loved the new cinnamon coffee roll flavor, I couldn't wait to see if my family and friends who were stopping by Saturday thought the same thing.

As we munched on Dunkin' Donuts munchkins, donuts and muffins, my husband has picked up earlier in the AM, I had fun trying out an iced coffee recipe I found over at the Hungry Girl Blog.  

If you haven't visited this blog, I highly suggest it.  It was my first time there, and I found myself printing off and flagging the different videos and recipes to try.  Being a chocolate lover, and knowing my girlfriends love chocolate, too, I ended up making the Sweet & Spicy Chocolate Glazed Donut Coffee recipe shown below for all to enjoy.  

Sweet & Spicy Chocolate Glazed Donut Coffee

Entire recipe: 53 calories, 1g fat, 10mg sodium, 8.5g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 3.5g sugars, <0 .5g="" nbsp="" protein="" strong="">

See how EASY it is to whip up this recipe... Click for the video!

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes or less
Chill: 1 hour


Ingredients:
1 tsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 packet no-calorie sweetener
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
Dash cayenne pepper, or more to taste
6 oz. fresh-brewed Dunkin' Donuts® Chocolate Glazed Donut coffee
2 tbsp. fat-free liquid coffee creamer 

Directions:
In a microwave-safe mug, combine chocolate chips, sweetener, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Add 1 oz. (2 tbsp.) hot coffee, and microwave for 1 minute, or until chips have melted. Mix vigorously until uniform.

Add creamer and remaining coffee, and stir well. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Stir well, transfer to a tall glass filled with crushed ice, and enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

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This was such a refreshing drink to try, as we have been dealing with hot muggy dry spell these past few days here in New England.  And, with the addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips, added to Dunkin' Donuts® Chocolate Glazed Donut coffee (there is a cute quick video showing how to make this drink when you check out the recipe - just click the video link), you couldn't go wrong! :-)  

Along with the Sweet & Spicy Chocolate Glazed Donut Coffee that I had made from the Hungry Girl Blog, we took turns pouring and sampling the different flavors from the Dunkin' Donuts Bakery Series, on a mission to find our favorite flavor.  

If you follow my blog, then you know that I am a huge chocolate lover.  Because I love all things chocolate, I thought my favorite would have been the Chocolate Glazed Donut flavor. But, after all the flavors were sampled, I was surprised to find myself reaching for the carafe filled with the new Cinnamon Coffee Roll, followed up with Blueberry Muffin in close second. 

The Chocolate Glazed Donut flavor was a close third.  

"With the bakery flavor dunked in, only Dunkin’ Donuts gives coffee fans so many favorite bake shop coffee flavors to enjoy at home – pastry not included!"

When I polled everyone else, they, too, agreed that the new cinnamon coffee roll flavor was their favorite, and would be their Bakery Series flavor of choice when picking up a bag at their local grocery store.  

As we got to talking about our favorite flavors, we found ourselves comparing this store bought coffee with others on the market, and how this coffee is much better. Not only is each cup full of flavor, but the coffee itself is smooth.  You can tell with each sip that the beans are fresh roasted and that time and effort went into making these flavored coffees.  There was no funny aftertaste, or guests trying to figure out what the flavor was supposed to be.  Even if I blindfolded folks, they would still be able to guess the flavors, as they are rich and full of flavor -- not something you can say about other coffees you can buy at the market, or even at a coffee shop for that matter.

Being a busy mom on the go, I don't have the luxury or the sanity to get the girls ready and drive them to my local Dunkin Donuts just to get a coffee.  So, I rely on being able to pick up Dunkin' Donuts coffee to brew at home. I love being able to enjoy DD coffee without having to leave the house.  And, when the holidays roll around, I usually ask my husband to pick me up bags of DD coffee, and will also buy some to give to family and friends.  This Christmas, everyone will be getting a variety of flavors from the Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series, to tide them over and warm them up during the upcoming cold New England winter. And, I hope my husband, who was part of the tasting party on Saturday took note of my favorite flavors, so that he can pick me up some for my birthday in November, and then more in Dec. :-) Hint, hint!

Have you sampled the different Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series flavors?  If so, do you have a favorite?  If you are a coffee lover, and want an excuse to get friends together, why not consider hosting a "Back to School" meetup with a few of your close friends, or neighborhood moms?  It is always nice to chit chat, while enjoying great coffee and treats. You'll have a blast sampling the different Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series flavors, to find your favorites.  Or, if you need another excuse to get your friends together for a coffee break? Then, mark your calendars, as National Coffee Day coming up on September 29th.  This is definitely a reason to grab a bag or two of Dunkin' Donuts Bakery Series, to enjoy, right? I sure do think so! :-)

To learn more about the Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series available for purchase at your favorite local grocery store as well as other coffees blends to enjoy, visit http://www.dunkinathome.com/.

Don't forget to follow Dunkin' Donuts on their social media pages to stay up-to-date on special offers, new product additions, giveaways and more...

• Dunkin' Donuts on Facebook
• Dunkin' Donuts on Twitter

Disclosure: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Dunkin’ Donuts. I received product samples to facilitate my In-Home party as well as a promotional item to thank me for participating.