Name: Pizza Hut Hershey's Chocolate Dunkers Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup milk chocolate chips; ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; ¼ cup white chocolate chips; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon yeast; ¾ cup warm milk or water (as needed); Hershey’s chocolate syrup (for dipping)

Jump to Recipe

Late evenings at my house always make me think about chocolate. I swear, just imagining a warm, chocolatey treat makes me sneak into the kitchen while everyone else is winding down. That’s usually when my mind drifts straight to Pizza Hut Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers Recipe.

My kids love these cookie sticks, and I understand why. They are soft, chewy, and coated with melted chocolate, making them feel like a warm hug in dessert form. After hearing “Can we have Dunkers tonight?” a few times, I decided to make them at home.

It took some tries to get the dough just right, soft but chewy. Once I figured it out, dipping the sticks in milk or extra chocolate sauce became our favorite treat. This recipe is now what I use whenever we crave chocolate.

What Are Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers from Pizza Hut?

So what exactly are these things? Pizza Hut Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers are basically soft, chewy breadsticks covered in melted chocolate. But they’re not exactly brownies, and they’re not exactly cookies either. They sit right in the middle.

These Dunkers are made from sweet dough that bakes to be tender inside and slightly firmer outside. The topping is a mix of milk, semi-sweet, and white chocolate, melted on top during the last few minutes of baking.

They taste like chocolate heaven. You get the creamy sweetness from the milk chocolate, a little depth from the semi-sweet, and a smooth vanilla flavor from the white chocolate, all on a warm, doughy stick. The texture is important; they should be chewy, not cakey. You want them to have a little give when you bite in, not to fall apart.

I found that they taste better when slightly cooled rather than right out of the oven. When they’re hot, the chocolate is too runny and can slide off. Wait about five minutes, and the chocolate will set just enough to stick to the dough while staying soft. That’s the perfect time to enjoy them.

The Story Behind Pizza Hut’s Chocolate Dunkers

Pizza Hut introduced Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers as a special dessert option in the mid-2000s. The chain wanted to enhance the meal experience beyond just pizza. Partnering with Hershey’s, which is a trusted name in chocolate, made the dessert more appealing.

This partnership allowed Pizza Hut to use Hershey’s branding, helping the Dunkers stand out from other dessert items. Over time, Chocolate Dunkers became less common at Pizza Hut locations in the U.S. The chain has made many menu changes, often removing items that didn’t sell well.

Today, most Pizza Hut locations no longer have Chocolate Dunkers as a regular option, though some might still offer them depending on the region or franchise. Instead, Pizza Hut has added other desserts, such as Hershey’s chocolate chip cookies, mini cinnamon rolls, and cinnamon sticks with frosting.

Still, none of these options quite match the original Dunkers, which is why many people look for homemade versions. If you’re into copying other Pizza Hut favorites, you should check out my Pizza Hut Apple Dessert Pizza Recipe for another sweet treat.

Chocolate Dunkers vs Brownies and Other Similar Desserts

Let me clear up some confusion about Chocolate Dunkers. First, Chocolate Dunkers are not brownies. Brownies are dense and fudgy, while Dunkers are dough-based, giving them a bread-like chew. They are closer to sweet breadsticks than any brownie.

Pizza Hut Cinnamon Sticks and Dunkers are made from the same dough, but they taste different. The Cinnamon Sticks have butter, cinnamon sugar, and white icing. In contrast, Dunkers are topped with melted chocolate. The chocolate version is richer and better satisfies your cocoa craving.

Trader Joe’s has a snack called Chocolate Dunkers. These have a cookie-like base with chocolate chips baked inside. In contrast, Pizza Hut’s Dunkers have melted chocolate on top after baking, which creates a shiny, slightly crispy layer. Both are tasty, but this recipe captures the original Pizza Hut experience with the special melted chocolate.

What Makes Pizza Hut Hershey's Chocolate Dunkers Unique

Ingredients for Pizza Hut Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers

2 cups all-purpose flour: This flour gives the dough its structure and chewiness. It has enough gluten to create a soft dough that keeps its shape when baked. You can also use bread flour for a chewier texture.

1 teaspoon salt: Salt adds flavor to the dough and prevents it from tasting bland. It balances the sweetness of the chocolate topping.

1 teaspoon sugar: A small amount of sugar helps the yeast work and promotes even dough rise. It also adds a touch of sweetness.

1 teaspoon active dry yeast: Yeast makes the dough rise and creates a soft inside. Before mixing, dissolve active dry yeast in warm liquid. You can also use instant yeast, which doesn’t need to be dissolved.

2 tablespoons oil: Oil helps keep the dough soft and moist after baking. Use neutral oils, such as vegetable or canola oil. Melted butter also works and adds more flavor.

1 egg: Provides structure and helps the dough hold together. It also adds a golden color to the baked sticks.

Milk and water as needed: Start with ¼ cup of each and adjust as needed for a soft dough. Liquid hydrates the flour and activates the yeast. Use warm liquid (around 100-110°F) because cold liquid can slow down yeast activity. A mix of milk and water makes a soft dough, while all water gives a lighter texture.

For the Chocolate Topping

½ cup Hershey’s milk chocolate chips: These chips provide a sweet and creamy base for the topping. Use standard-size chips. Mini chips melt quickly and spread more easily.

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: These chips add depth and a less-sweet taste that balances the milk chocolate. They melt well and help create a layered chocolate crust.

¼ cup white chocolate chips, chopped into small pieces: White chocolate adds creamy sweetness to the top layer. Chopping them into smaller pieces helps them melt faster and spread evenly. You can also use white chocolate baking bars, chopped finely.

Best Chocolate Dipping Sauces for Dunkers

When Pizza Hut served these, they came with warm Hershey’s chocolate sauce for dipping. This extra dip makes them even better. You can easily make your own dipping sauce. Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add ½ cup of Hershey’s chocolate syrup and ¼ cup of heavy cream. Heat it on low and stir until it’s smooth and slightly thick.

For a richer sauce, melt ½ cup of milk chocolate chips with ¼ cup of cream instead. To make homemade chocolate syrup, mix ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and a pinch of salt in a pan. Bring it to a boil while stirring, then simmer for 3 minutes until it thickens.

Remove it from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Let it cool, and you’ll have syrup that’s even better than store-bought.

Baking Equipment Guide

Stand mixer or hand mixer: Mix the dough well and save time on kneading.
Large mixing bowl: You need this for the dough to rise; it must be big enough for the dough to double in size.
Nonstick baking pan (9×13 inch): This prevents sticking without adding extra oil.
Rolling pin: Use this to roll the dough evenly across the pan.
Sharp knife or pizza cutter: This cuts clean strips of dough before baking.
Oven with broil setting: This melts the chocolate topping quickly without burning it.
Food processor (optional): This quickly chops white chocolate chips into small pieces.
Pastry brush (optional): This spreads oil if the pan is not nonstick.
Wire cooling rack: This allows air to move under the pan so the bottom doesn’t steam.
Small saucepan: Use this to heat the dipping sauce before serving.

How to Make Pizza Hut Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour with salt and sugar. In a small bowl, combine yeast with ½ cup of warm milk and let it sit until it becomes foamy. Then add the foamy yeast, 2 tablespoons of oil, and 1 egg to the flour mixture, and mix everything well.

2. Let the Dough Rise: Slowly add warm water until the dough sticks together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, until it doubles in size.

3. Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough to let out the air. Grease a 9×13 baking pan and spread the dough evenly in it. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 425°F. Bake for 20 minutes until it is lightly golden and firm to the touch. Take the pan out, but keep the oven on.

4. Cut the dough: While the dough is warm, cut 8-10 strips through the center with a sharp knife. Then, spread ½ cup of milk chocolate chips, ½ cup of semi-sweet chips, and ¼ cup of chopped white chocolate chips evenly over the strips.

5. Broil to Melt: Turn your oven to broil on low. Put the pan back in and watch it closely. Broil for 2 minutes only. The chocolate should look melted and shiny. Pull it out right away so it doesn’t burn.

6. Cool slightly: Let the pan sit for about 5 minutes so the chocolate can set and stick to the dough. If you move them too soon, the chocolate will slide off. Use a spatula to lift the dunkers out. Place them on a plate with a bowl of Hershey’s chocolate syrup on the side.

Dip and enjoy while they are still warm.

Common Chocolate Dunker Mistakes and How to Fix Them

1. Dunkers turn out dry: This happens if you bake them too long or if the dough is too dry. Next time, check them at 18 minutes instead of 20. Also, make sure your dough has enough moisture. If the dough feels stiff, add an extra tablespoon of water.

2. Dunkers are cakey instead of chewy: This can occur when there is too much flour or not enough kneading. Measure your flour correctly, scoop and level it, don’t pack it down. Knead for the full 5 minutes until the dough is stretchy, which helps develop the gluten that gives you chew.

3. Dunkers are not fudgier: Dunkers can be made fudgier by using more semi-sweet chocolate and spreading it on thicker. You can also brush some melted butter on the dough before adding the chocolate, which helps create a rich, fudgy texture.

4. Chocolate slides off the dough: If the chocolate doesn’t melt properly, sprinkle the chips on the dough right after you take it out of the oven. The heat will start to melt them. Then, broil for a little longer. After broiling, let the dough rest for 5 minutes so the chocolate can set and stick when you pick it up.

5. No chocolate crust: You need to broil them, not just bake. The high heat from broiling creates a shiny chocolate layer. If your broiler is too hot, keep the pan on a lower rack or watch it closely so it melts without burning.

Nutrition Facts and Easy Variations

One serving of original Pizza Hut Hershey’s Chocolate Dunkers (about 2 pieces) has about 190 calories. The main sources of calories are the dough and sugar from the chocolate, with fat mostly coming from the chocolate.

I sometimes skip the egg in the dough to make egg-free chocolate dunkers. I use extra oil or applesauce instead to keep them from drying out. For vegan chocolate dunkers, I use dairy-free chocolate chips and plant milk instead of regular milk in the dough. The taste remains similar.

If I need quick dunkers, I use brownie mix. I spread it thin, bake it for a shorter time, and then add chips. It turns fudgier but stays dippable. Air fryer chocolate dunkers save time. I shape the dough into strips, air-fry them at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, then top with chips and air-fry for 1-2 more minutes to melt the chips.

These recipes are kid-friendly because they are sweet, dippable, and fun to share. If you want gluten-free chocolate dunkers, swap the dough for gluten-free dough. It works, but the texture changes a little.

How to Serve Chocolate Dunkers the Right Way

Serve chocolate dunkers warm for the best taste. They cool down quickly, so aim for 2-4 pieces per person when they are warm. If you serve them cold, the chocolate hardens and loses its fresh flavor.

Keep the garnishes simple. A light sprinkle of powdered sugar looks nice. Add crushed nuts for some crunch. Chocolate and syrup are essential. You can also add ice cream or whipped cream. Pairing this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates an amazing treat.

The combination of warm chocolate dunkers and ice cream is delicious. A bit of whipped cream on top makes them feel special with little effort. My kids love it when I add a little whipped cream to each dunker before serving.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Guide

Store your chocolate dunkers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid putting them in the fridge, as this can make the chocolate turn white and chalky. If you want them to last longer, freeze them. Wrap each dunker in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will keep for about 2 months.

To warm them up, the oven is your best option. Place them on a baking sheet at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. You can use the microwave, but do it in 10-second bursts to prevent the chocolate from burning.

Heating them back up will restore their soft texture and make the chocolate melty again. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they will dry out.

Pro Tips for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Dunkers

We found many questions from people on social media who are trying it at home. Here, we address the most common.

How thick should dunkers be before baking?

Press the dough in the pan until it is about ½ inch thick. If it is too thin, it will become crispy like crackers. If it is too thick, the middle will remain doughy while the top cooks. A thickness of half an inch gives you a nice soft center.

How to get a crispy bottom but soft inside?

Bake on the bottom rack for the first 15 minutes, then move to the middle rack for the last 5 minutes. The bottom heat makes the base crispy while the middle stays tender. It works every time.

How to melt chocolate on dough without burning it?

Use the broiler, but set it to low and stay close. Two minutes is enough. If your broiler has only one setting, place the pan on a lower rack so the chocolate melts slowly and evenly.

How to create the signature melted chocolate crust?

Use a mix of chocolate types. The milk chocolate melts smoothly, the semi-sweet adds a firmer top when it cools, and the white chocolate gives pretty swirls. Spread them evenly so every bite has all three.

Why do some recipes grind chocolate chips first?

Chopping the chips into smaller pieces helps them melt faster and spread evenly, especially with white chocolate, which can be tricky. Smaller pieces mean less broiling time and less chance of burning.

Yield: 6