Description
Enjoy homemade strawberry cream-filled donuts made from scratch with fresh strawberries, cream cheese, and a rich strawberry syrup filling. These soft, yeast-risen fried donuts are better than store-bought and perfect for a delicious breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 envelope active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp warm water
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 stick softened butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
- 2 cups sugar (for rolling)
Filling
- 4 cups sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp water
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Combine the active dry yeast and warm water in a small bowl and let it sit until bubbly and activated.
- Mix dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, milk, softened butter, egg yolks, sugar, and the activated yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it into a smooth ball to develop gluten.
- First rise: Place the dough ball in a large bowl lightly brushed with olive oil, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- Shape donuts: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 14 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small round ball and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper dusted with flour.
- Second rise: Cover the dough balls and let them rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Heat oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or deep pan to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry donuts: Carefully place 3-4 donuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry each side for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Coat donuts: While still warm, toss each donut in sugar to coat evenly. Then poke a hole on the side of each donut with a sharp tool to prepare for filling.
- Make strawberry syrup: In a small pan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and water. Simmer for about 10 minutes until syrupy, then let cool.
- Prepare filling: In the stand mixer bowl fitted with a beater attachment, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and strawberry jam until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the cooled strawberry syrup mixture to infuse flavor into the cream cheese filling.
- Fill donuts: Fill a piping bag with the strawberry cream filling. Insert the tip into the hole of each donut and gently squeeze to fill the center with the creamy strawberry filling.
Notes
- Keep the donuts covered and consume within two days to maintain softness and freshness.
- Use quality baking pans and tools for optimal dough handling and rising.
- Be cautious when frying with hot oil; do not overcrowd the pan to avoid temperature drops.
- For a lighter version, baked donuts can be made but the fried version provides the best texture and flavor.
- The strawberry syrup enhances the filling and adds a fresh fruity taste to the cream cheese mixture.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Strawberry cream filled donuts, homemade donuts, fried donuts, cream cheese filling, fresh strawberry donuts, breakfast donuts
