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Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe

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5 from 506 reviews

Delight in these homemade Bavarian Cream Donuts featuring a rich, creamy custard filling and perfectly fried, fluffy doughnuts rolled in sugar. This recipe guides you through making a silky vanilla bean Bavarian cream, preparing a soft yeast dough, frying to golden perfection, and filling each donut with luscious whipped cream-infused custard for an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Bavarian Cream Filling

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup (50g) white sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 stick (38g) butter
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream

Donut Dough

  • 5 cups (600g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar (plus extra for coating)
  • 2 packs (14g) active dry yeast or instant yeast
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 stick (80g) butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (at least 2–3 inches deep)

Instructions

  1. Make the Bavarian Cream: In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons of sugar until smooth. Heat remaining sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warm but not boiling. Gradually pour this warm milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
  2. Cook the Bavarian Cream: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Maintain boiling for one minute, then remove from heat. Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve if any lumps remain, then whisk in the butter one tablespoon at a time until fully incorporated.
  3. Chill the Bavarian Cream: Cover the surface of the custard with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate the cream until fully chilled and set, ideally several hours or overnight.
  4. Prepare the Donut Dough: Warm the milk to body temperature and mix with yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy (skip this step if using instant yeast). In a stand mixer bowl, combine the remaining sugar, eggs, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
  5. Mix and Knead the Dough: Add the flour and mix on low speed until mostly combined. Gradually drizzle in melted butter while mixing. Increase mixer speed to high and knead the dough for 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a floured surface and knead briefly by hand until smooth.
  6. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
  7. Shape the Donuts: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut rounds using a 2.5–3 inch cutter. Place the dough rounds on a lined baking sheet, cover, and allow to proof for 45 minutes or until noticeably puffy.
  8. Fry the Donuts: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (180°C). Fry 2–3 donuts at a time for 1–2 minutes per side or until pale golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on wire racks lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. While still warm, roll the donuts in white sugar to coat liberally.
  9. Prepare Filling and Fill Donuts: Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it gently into the chilled Bavarian cream in two additions to lighten the filling. Using a chopstick or straw, poke a hole into each cooled donut. Fill a piping bag with the cream mixture and pipe the filling into each donut until full and slightly firm to the touch.

Notes

  • For best results, prepare the Bavarian cream a day ahead to allow it to fully chill.
  • If using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the flour.
  • Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (180°C) for even frying to avoid greasy donuts.
  • Ensure the dough is proofed properly; under-proofed dough will be dense, over-proofed will be airy and fragile.
  • Store filled donuts in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for freshness.

Keywords: Bavarian cream donuts, filled donuts, homemade donuts, fried donuts, vanilla custard filling

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/bavarian-cream-donuts-recipe/