Description
Make these Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donuts with a creamy, tangy filling and fluffy dough. A decadent dessert perfect for brunch or special occasions!
Ingredients
Ingredients List (with Measurements)
For the Donuts:
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 ½ cups (plus extra for dusting)
- Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Active Dry Yeast: 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet)
- Whole Milk: 1 cup, warmed
- Unsalted Butter: 3 tablespoons, softened
- Eggs: 2 large
For the Filling:
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
- Strawberries: ½ cup, finely chopped or puréed
- Powdered Sugar: ¾ cup
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
For Frying and Topping:
- Vegetable Oil: For frying (about 4–5 cups, depending on pot size)
- Powdered Sugar: For dusting
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Bloom the Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk (110°F/45°C), yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook, until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but not overly wet.
- Let the Dough Rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
- Make the Cheesecake Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and chopped strawberries. Mix until fully combined and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Shaping and Frying the Donuts
- Roll and Cut the Dough
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out donuts. Re-roll scraps to cut additional rounds.
- Heat the Oil
- In a deep fryer or large pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Fry the Donuts
- Fry donuts in small batches, about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cooling rack lined with paper towels.
Filling and Topping the Donuts
- Fill the Donuts
- Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, use a piping bag with a filling tip to inject the strawberry cheesecake mixture into the center of each donut. Insert the tip into the side or bottom of the donut and squeeze gently until filled.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar
- Sprinkle the donuts generously with powdered sugar for a classic finish.