Tim Hortons promising return of retro doughnuts in 2024

globalnews.ca:

For roughly two decades, Canadians have been telling Tim Hortons something’s missing from the company’s menu: The dutchie.

The sweet, square-shaped treat speckled with raisins dates back to the brand’s 1964 inception but was taken off the menu in the early 2000s. It made a short-lived reappearance in 2017 for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Come Jan. 10 though, the dutchie will return – and Tims president Axel Schwan predicts customers will be thrilled the company heard their pleas.

“It’s always about listening well,” he said this month, sitting before a plate piled high with dutchies in Tim Hortons’ Toronto test kitchen.

“Having two big ears and one mouth is very helpful, I learned from my mom.”

The dutchie’s return comes as Tims prepares to sprinkle its menu with a number of new products and old favourites to mark its 60th anniversary on May 17.

The milestone year will pay homage to some of the original treats on the menu when the first Tims opened in Hamilton, Ont.

Long before the brand begun by late Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton was synonymous with Canada and a staple across hockey rinks, offices and morning commutes, Tims had a more simplified menu with items like apple fritters, which are still sold today, and the dutchie.

Tims is promising four retro doughnuts will reappear on its menu in 2024 – though it’s staying tight-lipped on the other three for now. (A June poll the company ran on social media questioned whether customers would favour the blueberry fritter, chocolate eclair or cinnamon twist returning.)

Chief marketing officer Hope Bagozzi said the dutchie’s return as part of a menu shakeup Tims began plotting more than a year ago was a hard secret to keep.

“There’s lots of people who have had it