Coffee and Donuts: How the Pairing Became an American Classic
Share
Coffee and donuts became an American classic thanks to a mix of history and simple taste chemistry. Salvation Army volunteers served donuts and coffee to American soldiers in France during World War I, roadside donut shops built whole businesses on the pair after World War II, and the combination just works: a bitter, hot drink cuts through a sweet, fried pastry and makes you want another bite.
Here is the story of how coffee and donuts became inseparable, why dunking is more than a habit, and how to pair specific donuts with the right coffee.
The Doughnut Lassies of World War I
The pairing's most famous origin story begins in 1917. Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France to support American troops, and among them were Ensign Helen Purviance and Ensign Margaret Sheldon, who served with the 1st Army Division. Working close to the troops, the volunteers hand-rolled and fried donuts for homesick soldiers, often alongside hot coffee.
The women became known as the “Doughnut Lassies,” and the donut became a symbol of comfort and home for a generation of American servicemen. In 1938, the Salvation Army in Chicago created National Donut Day to honor them. Today it is celebrated on the first Friday of June, and many donut shops mark it with free or discounted donuts.
Coffee's own role in the military grew even bigger in the next war. Our article on coffee in World War II and the “cup of joe” picks up that thread.
The Rise of the Coffee and Donut Shop
After World War II, Americans were driving more, commuting more and eating breakfast on the go. Coffee and donuts were cheap, quick and satisfying, perfect for that new rhythm.
One businessman saw the opportunity clearly. William Rosenberg ran a catering business and noticed that coffee and donuts made up about 40 percent of its revenue. In 1948, he opened a shop called the Open Kettle in Quincy, Massachusetts, and in 1950 renamed it Dunkin' Donuts, a name that celebrates the very act of dipping a donut in coffee. Countless independent donut shops, diners and coffee counters followed the same formula.
The donut shop also shaped a style of coffee: a light-to-medium roast, smooth, not too bitter, served in big cups with cream and sugar. That “diner coffee” profile is still what many Americans picture when they think of a regular cup. Read more in why Americans drink so much coffee.
Why Coffee and Donuts Taste So Good Together
History made coffee and donuts popular, but flavor keeps them together.
- Bitter balances sweet. Coffee's bitterness offsets glazes, sugar and icing, so the donut tastes less cloying.
- Heat and fat. Hot coffee melts and rinses away the fat from frying, refreshing your palate between bites.
- Shared roasted flavors. Fried dough and roasted coffee both develop browned, toasty notes, which echo each other.
- Texture contrast. A crisp exterior, fluffy interior and warm liquid make every bite interesting.
The Art of Dunking
Dunking is a deeply personal ritual, but a few guidelines help:
- Choose a sturdy donut. Old-fashioned and cake donuts hold together best. Yeast-raised glazed donuts soak up coffee fast and can fall apart.
- Keep it quick. Two to three seconds is enough for a cake donut. A glazed yeast donut needs barely one.
- Dunk at an angle. Dip just the edge, not the whole donut, so the rest stays crisp.
- Use a wide mug. A mug wider than the donut avoids awkward squishing against the rim.
- Black or creamy? Black coffee gives the strongest contrast. Coffee with milk makes the dunked bite taste like dessert.
The same logic applies to biscotti and coffee cake, which were made for a warm drink alongside. Our story of why it is called coffee cake explains that tradition.
Coffee and Donuts Pairing Guide
Not every coffee suits every donut. Use this chart as a starting point:
| Donut | Best coffee | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Classic glazed | Medium roast drip, black | Clean coffee cuts the pure sweetness |
| Old-fashioned or cake donut | Light-medium “donut shop” style with cream | Mild coffee complements buttery, nutmeg notes |
| Chocolate frosted | Dark roast or espresso | Roasty depth matches cocoa |
| Jelly-filled | Bright, fruity single origin | Fruity notes echo the jam |
| Boston cream | Cappuccino or latte | Milk foam mirrors the custard |
| Maple bar | Medium-dark nutty blend | Nutty, caramel notes enhance maple |
| Apple cider donut | Cinnamon or pumpkin spice flavored coffee | Doubles the fall spice |
Hosting a donut morning for a crowd? Brew a big pot and keep it hot without burning it. Our guide on how to use a coffee urn covers quantities.
A Coffee and Donut Morning at Home
You do not need a donut shop for the full experience. Pick up an assortment from a local bakery or fry a batch at home, then set up a small coffee bar:
- A pot of medium roast drip coffee for classic pairings
- A dark roast or espresso for chocolate donuts
- One flavored coffee, such as vanilla or caramel, for fun
- Cream, milk, oat milk and a few sweeteners
- Napkins. Many napkins.
Coffee and Donuts FAQ
Why do Americans eat donuts with coffee?
The pairing was popularized by Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers in World War I and then by postwar donut shops that sold the two together as a quick breakfast. It also tastes great, since bitter coffee balances sweet fried dough.
When is National Donut Day?
National Donut Day falls on the first Friday of June. It was created by the Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to honor the World War I Doughnut Lassies.
What is donut shop coffee?
Donut shop coffee usually means a light to medium roast with a smooth, mild, easygoing flavor and little bitterness. It is designed to be enjoyed by the mugful, often with cream and sugar.
Which donut is best for dunking?
Old-fashioned and cake donuts are the best for dunking because their dense crumb absorbs coffee without falling apart. Yeast-raised donuts need a much quicker dip.
Grab a Donut, Pour a Cup
Coffee and donuts earned their place in American culture through wartime kindness, postwar road trips and a flavor match that just works. For a true diner-style pairing, try our Gourmet Donut Shop coffee, a light-medium roast made for exactly this moment. Want something sweeter? Our French Vanilla flavored coffee turns any glazed donut into dessert. Every Feel Espresso coffee is roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery.