Description

Soft, fluffy, and filled with rich, creamy goodness, these cream-filled donuts are the ultimate homemade treat! Whether you love classic vanilla pastry cream or a unique flavored filling, this easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through making bakery-style donuts at home. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special indulgence, these donuts are golden on the outside, light on the inside, and bursting with delicious cream.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

For the Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
Oil for frying

For the Vanilla Cream Filling

2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Coating

1/2 cup powdered sugar or granulated sugar (optional)

Instructions

Activate the Yeast – In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Prepare the Dough – In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, eggs, melted butter, salt, and the yeast mixture. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise – Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape the Donuts – Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out circles using a round cutter. Place them on a baking sheet and let them rest for another 30 minutes.
Heat the Oil – In a deep fryer or large pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the Donuts – Carefully drop the dough rounds into the hot oil and fry for about 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and drain on a wire rack.
Make the Cream Filling – In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking. Return to heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, then let it cool.
Fill the Donuts – Once the donuts are cool, use a piping bag to inject the cream into the center of each donut.
Coat and Serve – Roll the donuts in powdered sugar or granulated sugar if desired. Serve fresh and enjoy!

Notes

For extra flavor, try filling the donuts with chocolate cream, lemon custard, or strawberry jam.
Make sure the oil temperature stays at 350°F (175°C) to ensure evenly fried donuts.
If you don’t have a piping bag, use a ziplock bag with the corner cut off.
For a lighter version, bake the donuts at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes instead of frying.

Prep Time: 90
Cook Time: 15
Category: Breakfast
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cream-filled donuts, custard donuts, homemade donuts, filled pastries, bakery-style donuts, sweet treats, fried donuts