If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s a batch of homemade doughnuts. There’s just something amazing about biting into a soft, pillowy doughnut filled with creamy goodness.
And let’s be honest, the aroma of freshly fried doughnuts wafting through your kitchen is reason enough to make these beauties. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up! Today, I’m excited to share my go-to recipe for fresh cream doughnuts. Trust me, this one will have everyone asking for seconds, thirds… or maybe even fourths. (No judgment here!)
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Doughnuts:
- 4 cups cake flour
- 4 tablespoons castor sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 cup castor sugar (for tossing doughnuts)
- 1 tablespoon milk powder (optional, but it adds a nice richness)
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water
- 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 5 grams yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Fresh Cream Filling:
- 250 ml fresh cream
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon gelatin powder
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
Let’s Make Doughnuts!
Preparing the Dough
- Melt the Butter: Start by melting your butter and setting it aside to cool slightly. This keeps it from cooking the egg when you combine the ingredients.
- Beat the Egg: Give your egg a quick whisk and set it aside. It’s always easier to mix into the dough when it’s pre-beaten.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour and stir in the salt, yeast, castor sugar, and milk powder. The milk powder is optional, but I’ve found it gives the dough a creamier, richer flavor that’s totally worth the extra step.
- Combine Everything: Add the beaten egg, lukewarm water, lukewarm milk, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. This part can get a little sticky, but hang in there—it’ll come together beautifully.
- Knead: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. Think of it as a mini workout with a sweet reward at the end. The dough should be smooth and elastic when you’re done.
- Let it Rest: Grease a bowl with a little oil, pop the dough in, and pat some oil over the top to keep it from drying out. Cover with cling wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for 1 to 3 hours (if you can wait that long). The dough should double in size and be soft and airy.
Shaping and Frying
- Punch and Knead Again: Once the dough has risen, give it a satisfying punch to release the air and knead for another minute. It’s oddly therapeutic!
- Shape the Doughnuts: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape them into doughnuts. If they’re not perfectly round, don’t sweat it—handmade charm is the best.
- Second Rest: Cover the shaped doughnuts with a dishcloth and let them rest for another 30 minutes. This helps them puff up beautifully before frying.
- Fry to Perfection: Heat some oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry the doughnuts until they’re golden brown, flipping halfway through. Drain them on paper towels and roll them in castor sugar while they’re still warm. Pro tip: The sugar sticks better when the doughnuts are just out of the fryer.
Making the Fresh Cream Filling
- Prepare the Gelatin: In a small bowl, mix the gelatin with water and let it sit for a minute to crystallize. Microwave for about 30 seconds until it’s fully dissolved. This step is key to getting that beautifully stabilized cream filling.
- Whip the Cream: In a chilled bowl, whisk the fresh cream and icing sugar until soft peaks form. Add the dissolved gelatin and continue whisking until stiff peaks appear. The gelatin helps keep the cream stable, so your doughnuts stay picture-perfect for longer.
Bringing It All Together
- Cool the Doughnuts: Make sure the doughnuts have cooled completely before filling them. Warm doughnuts and cream don’t mix well (trust me, I’ve learned the hard way!).
- Fill with Cream: Using a piping bag, fill each doughnut with the whipped cream. To do this, make a small slit in the middle of each doughnut but don’t cut all the way through. A gentle hand works wonders here.
- Decorate: Top each doughnut with a cherry for a classic look, or get creative with sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or even a dusting of icing sugar. The sky’s the limit!
Pro Tips for Amazing Doughnuts
- Temperature Matters: Make sure your liquids are lukewarm, not hot, when mixing the dough. Hot liquids can kill the yeast, and nobody wants flat doughnuts.
- Don’t Rush the Resting Time: The longer the dough rests, the fluffier your doughnuts will be. Patience really pays off here—resist the urge to rush!
- Fry in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Too many doughnuts at once can lower the oil temperature and leave you with greasy doughnuts. Give them space to cook evenly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Not only are these doughnuts easy to make, but they’re also a fantastic way to impress friends and family. They’re soft, fluffy, and filled with creamy goodness—a total win for any dessert table. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about making them from scratch. Every bite feels like a tiny celebration of your efforts.
These doughnuts are perfect for all occasions, whether it’s a weekend treat, a birthday party, or just because you deserve something amazing. I promise, once you try this recipe, you’ll never look at store-bought doughnuts the same way again. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make some magic happen in the kitchen. You’ll be savoring every bite and feeling like a total baking superstar!