Description
Delicious homemade donuts filled with rich pastry cream and topped with a crispy sugar coating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups milk (any milk will work, dairy or non-dairy)
- 4 large egg yolks (provide richness)
- ¼ cup cornstarch (can substitute with all-purpose flour)
- ½ cup sugar (use granulated or caster sugar)
- 2 tablespoons butter (non-dairy margarine can be used)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (opt for pure vanilla extract)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (the structure provider)
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (for consistent results)
- ½ teaspoon salt (essential in small amounts)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (sweetens the donuts)
- 1 cup warm milk (for making the dough)
- 2 large eggs (for dough enrichment)
- ¼ cup melted butter (adds richness)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (creates the crispy topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry Cream: Heat 2 cups of milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles. Whisk together 4 egg yolks, ¼ cup of cornstarch, and ½ cup of sugar in a separate bowl. Gradually pour hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking, strain back into the saucepan, and cook until thickened. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla, then cool completely.
- Make Donut Dough: Combine 1 cup warm milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons yeast in a mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add 2 large eggs and ¼ cup melted butter, whisk to combine. Gradually add 3 ½ cups flour and ½ teaspoon salt, mix to form a soft dough, then knead for 5-7 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours.
- Shape Donuts: Punch down the dough, roll out to ½ inch thick, cut out donut shapes with a cutter, and place on a lined baking sheet. Re-roll scraps and let them rise for another 30-60 minutes.
- Bake Donuts: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake donuts for 12-15 minutes until golden and springy. Cool on a wire rack.
- Fill Donuts: Fill a piping bag with the chilled pastry cream and fill each cooled donut carefully to avoid overstuffing.
- Prepare Sugar Topping: Heat ½ cup granulated sugar in a saucepan until melted and golden brown, cool slightly, dip tops of donuts into melted sugar for a crispy topping.
Notes
- Ensure the dough has risen properly before cutting out donuts for the best texture.
- Experiment with different flavorings in the pastry cream like almond extract or citrus zest.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg