There’s nothing quite like biting into a soft, fluffy donut filled with creamy, homemade vanilla custard. This recipe brings the bakery experience right to your kitchen with step-by-step instructions that make it easy to create these delicious treats. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special indulgence, these Vanilla Custard Cream Donuts are sure to impress!
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is approachable and rewarding. The combination of the pillowy dough and rich custard filling is a match made in heaven, guaranteed to impress anyone who takes a bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bakery-Quality Results: These donuts are soft, airy, and filled with a luscious custard that tastes like it came straight from a professional bakery.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy ingredients required – just pantry staples you likely already have at home.
- Versatile Treat: Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or even as a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
What You’ll Learn
In this recipe, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make perfect Vanilla Custard Cream Donuts. You’ll learn:
- How to prepare and knead an enriched donut dough.
- Tips for frying donuts to golden perfection.
- How to make a smooth and creamy vanilla custard filling from scratch.
- Tricks for assembling and filling your donuts like a pro.
Step-by-Step Guide
Making the Dough
The dough is the foundation of these donuts. It’s enriched with milk, butter, and egg, giving it a soft and tender texture. Kneading the dough thoroughly is essential for achieving the perfect consistency. Whether you knead by hand or use a stand mixer, make sure to work the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
After kneading, the dough needs time to rise and develop flavor. Be patient – good things come to those who wait! Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out and cut your donut shapes. A second rise ensures that the donuts puff up beautifully when fried.
Frying the Donuts
Frying can seem intimidating, but it’s simpler than you think. Keep your oil at a steady 160°C (320°F) for even cooking. Fry the donuts until they’re golden brown on both sides, and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Making the Vanilla Custard
The custard filling is what sets these donuts apart. It’s made with simple ingredients like milk, eggs, sugar, and cornstarch. Constant whisking over low heat ensures a creamy texture without lumps. The addition of vanilla extract gives the custard a rich, aromatic flavor that complements the donuts perfectly.
Assembling the Donuts
Once the donuts have cooled, it’s time to fill them with the custard. A piping bag fitted with a small round tip makes this process easy. Simply insert the tip into the side of each donut and squeeze gently until filled. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Yeast: Make sure your dry yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Don’t Overheat the Oil: Keep an eye on the temperature to avoid burning the donuts.
- Custard Consistency: Whisk constantly while cooking the custard to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- Serve Fresh: Donuts are best enjoyed the same day they’re made, but you can store them in an airtight container and reheat briefly before serving.
Why Make Donuts at Home?
Making donuts at home is more than just creating a delicious treat – it’s about the experience. There’s something magical about watching your dough rise, frying up golden donuts, and filling them with custard you made yourself. Plus, homemade donuts allow you to control the ingredients and customize them to your liking.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re treating your family to a weekend brunch, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these Vanilla Custard Cream Donuts are always a hit. Their bakery-quality taste and texture will leave everyone asking for seconds – and the recipe!
With this recipe in your arsenal, you’re ready to bring the magic of bakery-style donuts into your home. Enjoy the process, savor the results, and don’t forget to share your creations!
Vanilla Custard Cream Donuts – Soft, Fluffy, and Bakery-Style
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 280 g (2 cups + 3 tbsp) all-purpose flour
- 40 g (3 tbsp) sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 120 g (½ cup) whole milk, warmed
- 40 g (⅓ stick) melted butter
- 7 g (1 packet) dry yeast
For the Custard Filling:
- 660 g (2⅔ cups) whole milk
- 3 large eggs, whisked
- 180 g (¾ cup + 2 tbsp) sugar
- 5 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Making the Dough
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, nutmeg, sugar, and salt.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: Warm the milk and mix it with the egg, melted butter, and dry yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.
- Mix Dough: Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead by hand for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer on high speed for 3 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm area for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Shape Donuts: Roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out donut shapes. Arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Second Rise: Cover and let the donuts rise again for 30 minutes.
- Fry Donuts: Heat oil in a deep pan to 160°C (320°F). Fry the donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Making the Custard
- Mix Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, and milk until smooth.
- Add Eggs: Gradually whisk in the beaten eggs.
- Cook Custard: Place the saucepan over low-medium heat and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Flavor Custard: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Let cool completely before filling donuts.
Assembling the Donuts
- Fill the Donuts: Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to pipe the cooled custard into the donuts. Insert the tip into the side of each donut and squeeze gently until filled.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dust the filled donuts with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing for an extra touch. Serve fresh for the best flavor.
Notes
Tips
- Best Served Fresh: These donuts taste best freshly made. If making ahead, store cooled donuts in an airtight container and microwave for 30 seconds before serving for a freshly made feel.
- Rolling Tip: Roll dough evenly to ensure uniform donut size for consistent cooking.
- Oil Temperature: Maintain the oil temperature at 160°C (320°F) to ensure the donuts cook evenly without becoming greasy.
