Pastry cream-filled donuts are the epitome of sweet indulgence, offering a delightful contrast between the airy, fried donut and the rich, velvety pastry cream that oozes out with every bite. Making these delectable treats from scratch might take a bit of time, but the heavenly result is well worth the effort. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your own pastry cream-filled donuts that will have you savoring every moment of sweetness.
Ingredients:
For the Donut Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Pastry Cream Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Dusting:
- Powdered sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
Step 2: Prepare the Donut Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Make the Pastry Cream
- In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and half of the granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, remaining sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
- Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
- Remove the saucepan from heat, and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap (make sure it touches the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until it’s completely cool.
Step 4: Roll Out and Cut the Donuts
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release excess air.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.
- Use a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out donut shapes. You can use a smaller cutter or a bottle cap to remove the centers if you want traditional ring-shaped donuts.
- Place the cut donuts on a floured baking sheet, cover them with a towel, and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Fry the Donuts
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the donuts to the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until they’re golden brown on both sides (about 1-2 minutes per side).
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried donuts and place them on a paper towel-lined tray to drain and cool.
Step 6: Fill the Donuts
- Once the donuts are cool, use a pastry bag fitted with a long, narrow tip to inject the pastry cream into the center of each donut.
- You can also use a plastic squeeze bottle to fill the donuts if you don’t have a pastry bag.
Step 7: Dust and Serve
- Dust the filled donuts with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Serve your pastry cream-filled donuts immediately and enjoy the creamy, sweet, and decadent treat!
Pastry cream-filled donuts are a delightful indulgence that combines the lightness of fried dough with the creamy richness of pastry cream. While making them from scratch takes a bit of time, the end result is a heavenly treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the joy of homemade donuts, and savor each sweet, custardy bite of these delectable pastries.
