Heavenly Donut Delights with Decadent Fillings and Irresistible Glazes
Indulge in the ultimate homemade treat with our Heavenly Donut Delights! Inspired by pastry perfection, we've combined a light and fluffy donut dough crafted from America's Test Kitchen with a rich, Krispy Kreme-style filling that you won't be able to resist. Complement these delightful donuts with a selection of luscious icings and glazes, inspired by timeless recipes from renowned chefs and family traditions. While this recipe requires a bit of time and effort, the result is an extraordinary breakfast experience that will leave your friends and family in awe. Perfect for special occasions or just a weekend treat, each bite melts in your mouth and satisfies your sweet tooth like nothing else!
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
3 - 3 1/4 cups (sifted)
instant yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons (not required)
sugar
6 tablespoons (granulated)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (not required)
whole milk
2/3 cup (at room temperature)
large eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (cut into pieces, at room temperature)
vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons (for frying)
powdered sugar
1 cup (sifted)
water or milk
2 tablespoons (for glaze)
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (not required)
maple flavoring
1 teaspoon (not required)
brewed coffee
1/2 cup (cooled)
melted butter
2 tablespoons (not required)
corn syrup
1 tablespoon (not required)
cocoa powder
1/4 cup (not required)
additional sugar
1 cup (for caramel icing)
water
1/4 cup (for caramel icing)
unsalted butter
1 tablespoon (for caramel icing)
powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups (for chocolate icing)
water or milk
3 tablespoons (for chocolate icing)
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (at room temperature)
Instructions
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1. **Make the Dough**: In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir with a fork and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, mix together the room temperature milk and lightly beaten eggs. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed for about 3-4 minutes until a ball of dough forms.
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2. **Add Butter**: Keep the mixer on low speed and gradually add the softened unsalted butter pieces, mixing for about 15 seconds after each addition. Continue mixing for 3 more minutes, adding the remaining flour, one tablespoon at a time as needed, until the dough is smooth and forms a ball.
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3. **First Rise**: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat in oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rise at room temperature for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
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4. **Shape the Donuts**: Once risen, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 1/2 inch thick. For traditional donuts, cut out rounds using a 2.5-3 inch biscuit cutter, then cut out the centers using a smaller cutter. For Long Johns, use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 4"x2" rectangles. Gather and reroll the scraps as necessary to utilize all the dough.
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5. **Second Rise**: Place the shaped donuts and donut holes onto a floured baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 90 minutes.
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6. **Fry the Donuts**: Meanwhile, fit a candy thermometer to a large Dutch oven and add vegetable shortening, heating it over medium-high until it reaches 375°F. Carefully add the donuts in batches, frying 4-5 at a time or 2 Long Johns. Fry until golden brown, about 30-45 seconds per side (less for donut holes). Remove with a skimmer and transfer to a paper towel-lined cooling rack. Allow donuts to cool for about 10 minutes before glazing.
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7. **Prepare Cream Filling**: In a mixing bowl, combine unsalted butter and shortening. Beat in powdered sugar and water on low speed until incorporated, then switch to high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Fill a pastry bag fit with a long narrow tip with the cream filling.
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8. **Fill the Donuts**: Poke the tip into the side of each cooled round donut and pipe in the cream filling. For Long Johns, pipe through three small holes at the bottom.
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9. **Make the Glazes and Icing**: Prepare each type of glaze or icing as specified in additional instructions below.
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10. **Glaze the Donuts**: Gently dip the top half of each donut into the desired glaze or icing. Lay them right-side-up on a cooling rack set over a cookie sheet to catch drips.
Nutrition Information
8
Fat
24
Carbs
2
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration behind the Heavenly Donut Delights?
The recipe is inspired by America's Test Kitchen for the fluffy dough and Krispy Kreme for the decadent cream filling.
What type of flour is required for the donut dough?
The recipe calls for 3 to 3 1/4 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Does the yeast need to be activated in water first?
No, this recipe uses instant yeast which is mixed directly with the dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt.
What temperature should the milk be when mixing the dough?
The whole milk should be at room temperature to ensure proper dough consistency.
How many eggs are used in the dough?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs that have been lightly beaten.
How is butter incorporated into the dough?
Softened unsalted butter is added gradually to the stand mixer on low speed, mixing for about 15 seconds after each piece.
How long does the first rise take?
The dough should rise at room temperature for approximately 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
How thick should the dough be rolled out before cutting?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch on a lightly floured surface.
What tools are used to shape traditional round donuts?
A 2.5-3 inch biscuit cutter is used for the rounds, and a smaller cutter is used to remove the centers.
How do you shape Long John donuts?
Long Johns are shaped by using a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 4x2 inch rectangles.
Is a second rise necessary for these donuts?
Yes, after shaping, the donuts and holes need a second rise of 90 minutes on a floured baking sheet.
What is the recommended frying temperature?
The frying medium should reach 375 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a candy thermometer.
What type of fat is used for frying?
The recipe specifies using vegetable shortening in a large Dutch oven for frying.
How long should each donut be fried?
Donuts should be fried until golden brown, which takes about 30 to 45 seconds per side.
How many donuts can be fried at one time?
You can fry 4-5 round donuts or 2 Long Johns per batch to maintain oil temperature.
How should donuts be cooled after frying?
Transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined cooling rack and let them sit for about 10 minutes.
What ingredients make up the cream filling?
The filling is a mixture of unsalted butter, shortening, powdered sugar, and water, beaten until fluffy.
What is the best way to fill the donuts?
Use a pastry bag fitted with a long narrow tip to pipe the filling into the side of rounds or the bottom of Long Johns.
What types of flavorings can be added to the glazes?
Suggested flavorings include vanilla extract, maple flavoring, cocoa powder, and brewed coffee.
How many calories are in one Heavenly Donut Delight?
Each donut contains approximately 150 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 8 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each donut?
There are 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is provided per serving?
Each donut provides 2 grams of protein.
What ingredients are needed for the caramel icing?
The caramel icing requires 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
What goes into the chocolate icing?
The chocolate icing is made with 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of water or milk, and cocoa powder.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
The recipe uses a total of 22 different ingredients across the dough, filling, and glazes.
Can I reuse the dough scraps?
Yes, you should gather and reroll the scraps to utilize all the dough.
How do you apply the glaze to the donuts?
Gently dip the top half of each donut into the glaze and place it right-side-up on a cooling rack to set.
Is this recipe recommended for quick preparation?
No, this is an involved recipe requiring significant time for rising and frying, best suited for special occasions.
What equipment is needed for the dough?
A stand mixer fitted with a dough hook is recommended for mixing the ingredients and kneading the dough.