These donuts are the ultimate treat when you’re craving something indulgent. Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut, only to discover a rich and creamy strawberry cheesecake filling inside. Add a sweet glaze on top, and you’ve got a dessert that’s seriously hard to resist! These are perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or even as a show-stopping dessert. And while they might look fancy, they’re not too difficult to make—just a few simple steps and you’ll be enjoying a bakery-quality treat at home.

 

I first tried making these when I was looking for something a little extra for a family brunch. We had the usual eggs and pancakes, but I wanted something that would make everyone’s eyes light up. And let me tell you, these donuts did just that! They were gone in minutes, and now they’re requested every time we get together for a special occasion.

Ingredients:

For the Donuts:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F) 🥛
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 🌾
• 2 tablespoons sugar 🍬
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 🍞
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 🧈
• 1 large egg 🥚

For the Filling:

• 1 cup cream cheese, softened 🧀
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar 🍚
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌼
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam 🍓

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar 🍚
• 2 tablespoons milk 🥛
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌼

Directions:

1️⃣ Make the Dough:

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk with the yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This shows the yeast is working.
2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, remaining sugar, melted butter, and egg. Slowly add the yeast mixture and stir until it forms a dough. If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook to knead for about 5-7 minutes, or knead by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. Let it rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

2️⃣ Shape and Fry the Donuts:

1. Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter or a round cutter to cut out the donuts (you can save the little donut holes to fry too!).
2. Second rise: Place the donuts on a baking sheet and cover them with a towel. Let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
3. Fry the donuts: Heat oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully fry the donuts for 1-2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

3️⃣ Make the Filling:

1. Mix the filling: In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in the strawberry jam gently to keep some nice strawberry swirls.

4️⃣ Fill the Donuts:

1. Fill the donuts: Once the donuts are cooled, poke a hole in the side of each donut with a skewer or knife. Use a piping bag with a round tip to fill the donuts with the strawberry cheesecake mixture.

5️⃣ Glaze the Donuts:

1. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip the tops of the filled donuts into the glaze or drizzle it over the top.

Tips:

 

• Make sure your yeast is active: If the yeast doesn’t foam up when mixed with the warm milk, your donuts won’t rise properly. Start with fresh yeast for the best results.
• Don’t overfill the donuts: As tempting as it is to stuff them with as much cheesecake filling as possible, too much can make the donuts split. A little goes a long way!
• Let the donuts cool fully before filling: Warm donuts will melt the cheesecake filling, so be patient and let them cool down.

Variations:

 

• Chocolate glaze: Swap the vanilla glaze for a rich chocolate glaze if you’re in the mood for something even more decadent.
• Berry switch-up: You can use raspberry or blueberry jam in place of strawberry for a fun flavor twist.
• Crumbled topping: Try sprinkling crushed graham crackers on top of the glaze to mimic a cheesecake crust.

FAQs:

1. Can I bake the donuts instead of frying? Yes, but the texture will be different. Bake at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes until golden, but they’ll be more like a soft roll than a classic donut.
2. How should I store the donuts? These are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight container.
3. Can I freeze them? You can freeze the fried, unfilled donuts. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw, then fill and glaze them fresh.
4. Why didn’t my donuts rise? If your yeast wasn’t active or your kitchen was too cold, the dough may not rise properly. Make sure the milk is warm (but not hot) and give the dough a warm, draft-free place to rise.

Serving Suggestions:

 

These Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donuts are perfect for a brunch spread or a sweet afternoon treat with coffee. Serve them alongside fresh berries or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. Whether for a special occasion or just because, these donuts are guaranteed to impress!

 

These donuts are everything you want in a dessert—soft, creamy, sweet, and a little bit over the top. Once you make these, you’ll have a hard time going back to plain donuts! Enjoy! 🍓🍩