Quick Answer
Clue: “Dunkin’ offering”
Answer: DONUT
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 8-Across in the NYT Mini crossword for January 29, 2026.
The New York Times crossword clue “Dunkin’ offering” is answered with DONUT, matching both Dunkin’s branding and the confirmed NYT Mini solution.
Why DONUT Is the Right NYT Answer
- Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) is world-famous for selling coffee and donuts, and the company itself uses the shorter spelling “donut” in its branding.
- Crossword databases and helper sites specifically list DONUT as the 5-letter answer for “Dunkin’ offering” in the January 29, 2026 NYT Mini.
- While “doughnut” is also a correct spelling, it is 8 letters long and does not fit the 5-square slot, which further confirms DONUT as the intended fill.
What DONUT Means in Plain English
- A donut is a piece of sweet fried dough, often ring-shaped or filled, typically served as a snack or breakfast item.
- In the Dunkin’ context, it refers to the chain’s signature pastries: glazed, frosted, filled, and specialty varieties that are commonly paired with coffee.
- Modern dictionaries and style discussions accept both “donut” and “doughnut” as correct, with “donut” widely used in brand names and casual American English.
Crossword-Specific Help for DONUT
- In the grid, DONUT appears as D O N U T; with crossings, you might first see D_NUT, DO_UT, or _ONUT, which quickly lock in once you notice the Dunkin’ reference.
- Crossword archives show DONUT used for clues like “Dunkable pastry,” “Coffee shop treat,” “Bakery item with a hole,” and “Breakfast pastry, informally.”
- Because of its friendly letters and pop-culture recognition, DONUT is a frequent, accessible answer in both NYT and other mainstream crosswords.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- For 5-letter clues such as “Coffee shop pastry,” “Dunkable treat,” “Food with a hole,” “Glazed snack”, DONUT should be one of your first guesses.
- Brand-name references like Dunkin’ almost always push toward the shorter spelling DONUT rather than DOUGHNUT in crosswords, especially in American outlets.
If your crossings give _ONUT in a food or breakfast context, DONUT is nearly certain to be correct.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 29, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | Employees, collectively | View Answer |
| 6A | The “L” of TTYL | View Answer |
| 7A | Slowly lessen, as political support | View Answer |
| 8A | Dunkin’ offering | View Answer |
| 9A | Tricky things to navigate with a stroller | View Answer |
| 1D | Toys that go on the decline in winter? | View Answer |
| 2D | Set of fortunetelling cards | View Answer |
| 3D | Make amends | View Answer |
| 4D | Out of patience | View Answer |
| 5D | Guitar bars | View Answer |
