Dunkin Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme and your own kitchen could all be venues for National Doughnut Day celebrations. Image from Flickr.

June 4, 2010 is National Doughnut Day, and some Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Doughnuts Locations will be celebrating by handing out free doughnuts. Not all Krispy Kreme locations or Dunkin Doughnuts locations are participating in free doughnut day – so check before you go in to claim your confection.

Free doughnut day Krispy Kreme locations

Getting a free doughnut at Krispy Kreme locations is relatively easy. First visit the Krispy Kreme locations list (http://krispykreme.com/images/kkd-natdoughnutday10-participating-stores.pdf) to find a participating location. Then, after the store opens on June 4, National Doughnut Day, stop in. Claim your free doughnut. Don’t forget to say “thanks” to the busy doughnut shop employees. The offer is “while supplies last,” so stop in early.

Free doughnut day Dunkin Donuts locations

Getting a free doughnut at Dunkin Donuts locations is a bit more complicated. Dunkin Doughnuts locations are offering a free doughnut, but only with a drink purchase. So stop into the nearest Dunkin Donuts , purchase an iced coffee or other drink, and claim your free doughnut. As always, don’t forget to thank the Dunkin Donuts location employees; they will be having a very long day.

Celebrate your own National Doughnut Day

Everybody knows that doughnuts aren’t exactly the healthiest of treats. Celebrating National Doughnut Day doesn’t have to mean visiting Krispy Kreme locations or Dunkin Doughnuts locations. Instead, you could try making your own doughnuts. It’s not nearly as difficult or scary as it sounds, and you can make a huge variety of your favorite doughnuts. Start by creating a basic sweet dough, then just fry it and top as you wish. If it’s your first time making doughnuts, try this recipe:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 cup milk or almond milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• Toppings: cinnamon and sugar or powdered sugar or frosting or whatever else your heart desires

Combine all the wet ingredients, then stir them into the flour and baking powder. Put the dough in the fridge or freezer until it is cold enough to work with, then cut it out into the shapes you would like, about 1/2 an inch thick. Fry the doughnuts in 375-degree vegetable oil for a few minutes. Drain the fried doughnuts, then sprinkle, glaze, or frost with your favorite topping. It really is that easy. To mix it up, try adding carrots, pumpkin, spices, or even using Chai instead of milk. Your office will love you!