French’s Mustard Donuts: A Bold Twist on National Mustard Day
French’s spices up the holiday with mustard-infused doughnuts, partnering with Dough Doughnuts for a sweet and tangy breakfast treat.
French’s Mustard Donuts: Reinventing Breakfast with a Tangy Twist
For decades, French’s has remained a household staple, celebrated for its iconic Classic Yellow Mustard. In a daring move, the brand has taken its cult-favorite condiment beyond the realm of hot dogs and burgers, venturing into the world of sweet treats. In honor of National Mustard Day, French’s partnered with New York’s Dough Doughnuts to create an unforgettable, limited-edition innovation: the French’s Mustard Donut.
Bringing Mustard to the Morning Table
French’s commitment to creative flavor pairings has been on full display in recent years, with the company introducing zany, condiment-inspired foods like Mustard Ice Cream in 2019, Mustard Beer in 2020, and Mustard Buns in 2021. The 2022 offering continues this trend, ushering in a sweet and savory breakfast mashup that challenges traditional pastry expectations. Fans can now “wake up and taste the tang” in a doughnut designed for adventurous palates and the truly mustard-obsessed.
What Is the French’s Mustard Donut?
The French’s Mustard Donut is more than a marketing gimmick—it’s a thoughtfully crafted treat engineered for flavor harmony. Developed in collaboration with Dough Doughnuts, renowned for its signature brioche-style doughnuts and innovative flavors, this donut reimagines the classic glazed donut by infusing it with vibrant notes of yellow mustard.
- Base: A light, fluffy brioche doughnut, known for its rich texture and slight sweetness.
- Coating: A sweet and savory glaze, featuring French’s Classic Yellow Mustard, delivering a distinct tang.
- Topping: A crumble made from yellow mustard cake, adding crunch and an extra punch of mustard flavor.
According to Steve Klein, owner of Dough Doughnuts, the result is a playfully balanced donut: “The iconic tanginess of French’s Classic Yellow Mustard complements the sweet glaze and fluffy texture of the doughnut for the perfect bite.”
How the Mustard Donut Tastes
Sweet and savory flavor pairings have carved out a niche in the food world, and the Mustard Donut is no exception. The mustard glaze imparts a mild vinegary zing, which melds with the brioche’s sweetness—producing a donut that manages to be familiar yet entirely novel. The cake crumble topping builds on the experience, contrasting the smooth glaze with tender crunch and an extra layer of tang.
National Mustard Day: The Event Behind the Donut
National Mustard Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of August, shining a light on one of the world’s most beloved condiments. For French’s, the day is an annual opportunity to experiment and joyfully challenge culinary conventions.
- Mustard Ice Cream (2019): French’s partnered with ice cream makers to produce a frozen, unexpectedly delicious treat.
- Mustard Beer (2020): A limited-edition ale brewed to complement mustard’s unique flavor profile.
- Mustard Buns (2021): Hot dog buns with mustard baked right into the dough, enhancing flavor in every bite.
- Mustard Donuts (2022): The latest—and arguably the boldest—addition to French’s culinary experiments.
Each year, these releases are met with both viral curiosity and genuine delight from fans of unconventional flavor combos. Jill Pratt, Chief Marketing Officer at McCormick (owner of French’s), emphasized, “We are as committed as ever to showing off new and exciting ways to enjoy this fan favorite condiment and cannot wait to reinvent breakfast this year.”
French’s Collaboration with Dough Doughnuts
Forging a partnership with Dough Doughnuts was central to bringing the Mustard Donut to life. Dough is a legendary name in the New York donut scene, famous for its oversized, pillowy treats and inventive offerings. Since its founding in 2010, Dough has set itself apart through quality ingredients and a flair for reimagined classics.
- Dough Origin: Founded in Brooklyn, 2010.
- Signature Style: Oversized, artisanal doughnuts made with a rich brioche base.
- Flavor Innovation: Regularly launches unique flavors inspired by diverse culinary traditions.
Dough’s collaboration with French’s enabled them to push the boundary of breakfast even further—embracing the challenge to create something “unexpectedly delicious.”
Where and How to Get French’s Mustard Donuts
The Mustard Donut is a limited-edition release, available only on National Mustard Day (August 6th, 2022), both in-store at select Dough Doughnuts locations across New York City and online for nationwide shipping—while supplies last. The event is designed as both a tasting experience and a full-scale brand celebration.
Participating Locations
- Flatiron: 14 W 19th St.
- Brooklyn: 646 Vanderbilt Ave.
- Astoria: 21-70 31st St.
- Rockefeller Center: 10 Rockefeller Center
- Urbanspace Vanderbilt: 230 Park Ave.
- Smorgasburg: 90 Kent Ave.
Special Promotions and In-Store Experience
- Shops are transformed with bright yellow décor, vibrant pop art, and French’s Mustard Donut swag.
- Visitors on National Mustard Day receive a free French’s Mustard Donut (while supplies last).
- Online orders opened at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT, where customers could snag a free two-pack of Mustard Donuts at DoughDoughnuts.com, limited to one per person.
The partnership also came to life on social media, where fans followed along using the hashtag #MustardDonuts and engaged with both brands’ creative content throughout the day.
Marketing and the Rise of Novelty Foods
The Mustard Donut is part of a larger marketing phenomenon: the rise of limited-available, headline-grabbing foods designed to spark social media buzz and capture the attention of adventurous eaters. Other brands have jumped on this trend in recent years, marrying nostalgia, curiosity, and pop culture:
- Velveeta “Veltini” Cocktail: A martini made with Velveeta-infused vodka and a cheesy garnish.
- Krispy Kreme: Released cereal milk-inspired donuts in partnership with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and ran a promotion selling donuts at the price of a gallon of gas.
- Applebee’s: Created chicken wing-flavored lip glosses for a memorable twist on food-inspired beauty.
French’s success with the Mustard Donut leverages both the power of nostalgia (an iconic condiment) and the novelty factor of sweet-and-savory mashups, pushing food boundaries in playful, shareable ways.
Making Mustard Donuts at Home
For those who missed the limited-edition event or simply love to experiment in their own kitchen, French’s released a make-at-home version of the Mustard Donut on their website. The recipe guides fans through crafting brioche dough, preparing a tangy mustard glaze, and topping it with a homemade mustard cake crumble.
DIY Mustard Donut Steps (Summary)
- Prepare a brioche-style dough, proof, and fry until golden.
- Whip up a glaze using French’s Classic Yellow Mustard, confectioners’ sugar, and a touch of cream or milk.
- Bake a quick-bread crumble spiked with more yellow mustard.
- Assemble by dipping the donut in the glaze and showering with the crumble.
This recipe brings the #MustardDonuts experience to home bakers and ensures that even those outside the NYC area can try the tangy treat for themselves.
French’s Brand Evolution and Commitment to Fun
From traditional hot dog condiment to bold breakfast innovation, French’s reinvention for National Mustard Day cements its reputation as a brand unafraid to have a little fun. By collaborating with beloved culinary names and encouraging fans to try something new, French’s continues to stay relevant across generations, keeping Classic Yellow Mustard at the center of American food culture.
- Celebrating over a century of mustard making.
- Owned by McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavor.
- Annual tradition of quirky food pairings for National Mustard Day.
Social Media and the Mustard Donut Phenomenon
Social media played a major role in launching the Mustard Donut to viral status. Fans and influencers alike flocked to Dough Doughnuts and posted their reactions, fueling online debates over the merits of mustard-flavored sweets. French’s harnessed the buzz with supportive hashtags, interactive posts, and real-time event updates.
- Key hashtags: #MustardDonuts, #NationalMustardDay
- Official brand handles: @Frenchs and @DoughDoughnuts
- Thousands of posts, stories, and taste-test videos shared across platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does the French’s Mustard Donut taste like?
A: It’s a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, featuring a tangy mustard glaze over a fluffy, slightly sweet brioche doughnut. The topping adds crunch and an extra zing without overwhelming the palate.
Q: Where was the donut available?
A: The French’s Mustard Donut was available at six Dough Doughnuts locations across New York City and via limited nationwide shipping for National Mustard Day on August 6, 2022.
Q: Why did French’s make a mustard donut?
A: French’s annually celebrates National Mustard Day with inventive products that showcase new ways to enjoy mustard. The Mustard Donut was created to surprise fans and inject fun into morning routines, highlighting mustard’s versatility as more than just a condiment.
Q: Can I still get a French’s Mustard Donut?
A: The donuts were a one-day-only, limited-edition release. However, French’s shared a home recipe on its website so anyone can recreate the flavor at home.
Q: What brands have done similar novelty foods?
A: Other brands have jumped into playful limited editions, including Velveeta’s “Veltini” martini, Krispy Kreme’s cereal milk-inspired donuts, and Applebee’s chicken wing-flavored lip glosses.
Summary Table: Mustard Donut at a Glance
| Aspect | French’s Mustard Donut |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 6, 2022 (National Mustard Day) |
| Collaborator | Dough Doughnuts (Brooklyn, NY) |
| Main Flavors | Sweet brioche, tangy mustard glaze, mustard cake crumble |
| Availability | In-store (NYC), online (nationwide shipping), one day only, while supplies last |
| Home Version | Recipe available at Frenchs.com/MustardDonuts |
| Marketing | Social media, influencer tastings, creative in-store experiences |
Final Thoughts: Sweet, Savory, and Social
The French’s Mustard Donut exemplifies the movement of brands to create memorable, shareworthy food experiences. While unconventional, the donut successfully bridges culinary boundaries—pleasing both the mustard enthusiast and the adventurous eater. Through collaboration, innovation, and a healthy dose of fun, French’s continues to prove that even the most classic flavors can surprise us yet.
