Decadent Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donuts Recipe

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Introduction

Strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are a game-changer for anyone with a sweet tooth. Combining the best elements of cheesecake and donuts, these treats are sure to impress at any gathering or simply bring joy to your day. The contrast between the crispy fried exterior and the creamy, tangy filling makes for an unforgettable culinary experience.

What are Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donuts?

So, what exactly are strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts? Essentially, they are soft, fluffy donuts filled with a rich cheesecake mixture and a sweet strawberry jam. Unlike traditional donuts that might just have a jelly or cream filling, these offer a more luxurious and layered flavor profile. The combination of the slightly tangy cream cheese with the sweetness of strawberries creates a balanced treat that’s neither too rich nor too sweet.

Why You’ll Love These Donuts

You might be wondering why these particular donuts are worth making. Well, for starters, the cheesecake filling adds an unexpected twist that elevates the humble donut to gourmet status. They’re perfect for a special breakfast, a delightful dessert, or even as a unique addition to a brunch menu. Plus, making them at home means you can customize them to your liking, adjusting the sweetness or adding your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

To create these delightful strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts, you’ll need a mix of basic pantry staples and a few special ingredients. Here’s a comprehensive list:

For the Dough:

  • 2 ÂĽ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • Âľ cup warm milk (110°F)
  • ÂĽ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ÂĽ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ÂĽ cup strawberry jam or preserves

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

  • Additional powdered sugar for dusting
  • Fresh strawberry slices
  • Graham cracker crumbs

Pro tip: You can substitute the strawberry jam with other fruit preserves like blueberry or raspberry for a twist.

Preparing the Dough

Activating the Yeast

First things first, we need to activate the yeast. Dissolve 2 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast in ¾ cup of warm milk (110°F). Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. If it doesn’t foam up, the yeast might be inactive, and you’ll need to start again with fresh yeast​ (Gretchen’s Vegan Bakery)​.

Mixing and Kneading

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the frothy yeast mixture, melted butter, and a beaten egg. Mix until the dough starts to come together.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Kneading by hand gives you more control, but you can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for convenience.

Letting the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size. The key to a good rise is maintaining a warm environment. If your kitchen is too cool, you can place the bowl in an oven with the light on​ (AppsThatDeliver)​​ (Gretchen’s Vegan Bakery)​.

Shaping the Donuts

Once your dough has risen beautifully, it’s time to shape it into donuts. This part is where the magic begins!

  1. Roll Out the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness.
  2. Cut Out the Donuts: Using a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one large and one small for the center hole), cut out your donuts. If you don’t have a donut cutter, a glass and a bottle cap will work in a pinch.
  3. Second Rise: Place the cut donuts and donut holes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rise for another 30 minutes to an hour until they’re puffy and have nearly doubled in size.

Frying the Donuts

Frying is where these donuts get their crispy, golden exterior. Ensure you have all your materials ready and be careful as you work with hot oil.

  1. Heat the Oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat your oil to 350°F (175°C). It’s essential to maintain this temperature to avoid greasy or undercooked donuts.
  2. Fry the Donuts: Gently place a few donuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil.
  3. Cool Completely: Allow the donuts to cool completely on a wire rack before filling and glazing them. This step ensures that the filling and glaze will set properly without melting​ (AppsThatDeliver)​​ (recipes)​.

Cheesecake Filling

Now, let’s dive into the heart of these delightful donuts—the creamy cheesecake filling. This filling is what sets these donuts apart, providing a rich and tangy surprise with every bite.

Ingredients and Preparation

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ÂĽ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ÂĽ cup strawberry jam or preserves

Preparation:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
  2. Add Strawberry Jam: Gently fold in the strawberry jam or preserves until fully incorporated. This adds a sweet, fruity element that pairs perfectly with the tangy cream cheese​ (Brightercook)​.

Tip: For a smoother filling, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start. This helps prevent lumps and makes it easier to blend.

Preparing the Glaze

A good glaze is the finishing touch that makes these donuts look as good as they taste. Here’s how to make a simple, yet delicious glaze.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

  1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
  2. Adjust Consistency: If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk (a teaspoon at a time). If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency​ (The Virtual Caterer)​.

Variation: For a strawberry-flavored glaze, substitute half the milk with strawberry jam or puree. This not only adds flavor but also a beautiful pink hue.

Filling the Donuts

Now that your donuts are fried to perfection and your cheesecake filling is ready, it’s time to bring it all together. This step is where the magic happens—stuffing the donuts with that luscious cheesecake filling.

Steps for Filling:

  1. Prepare the Filling Tool: Use a piping bag fitted with a long, narrow tip (a Bismarck tip works best). Fill the bag with the prepared cheesecake mixture.
  2. Pierce the Donut: Take a cooled donut and gently insert the piping tip into the side. Wiggle it slightly to create a cavity inside the donut.
  3. Fill the Donut: Squeeze the piping bag to fill the donut with the cheesecake mixture. Fill until you feel slight resistance or see a bit of filling starting to emerge from the entry point.

Pro tip: Don’t overfill the donuts, as this can cause the filling to spill out and make a mess. Aim for a nice, even distribution inside the donut.

Glazing and Decorating

With the donuts filled, the final touch is glazing and decorating them. This not only adds sweetness but also makes them visually appealing.

Steps for Glazing:

  1. Dip the Donuts: Hold each donut by the sides and dip the top into the prepared glaze, ensuring an even coating. Let the excess glaze drip off.
  2. Place on Rack: Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set. If you like, you can sprinkle them with additional toppings like powdered sugar, fresh strawberry slices, or graham cracker crumbs while the glaze is still wet​ (The Virtual Caterer)​.

Variation: If you made a strawberry-flavored glaze, this is where it will really shine, adding an extra layer of strawberry goodness.

Tips for Perfect Donuts

Creating the perfect strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts can be a bit challenging, but with these tips, you’ll be on your way to donut perfection:

  1. Consistent Oil Temperature: Maintain the oil at a steady 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature. Too hot, and the donuts will burn outside while staying raw inside. Too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil, becoming greasy​ (recipes)​.
  2. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry a few donuts at a time. Overcrowding drops the oil temperature and leads to uneven cooking.
  3. Proper Dough Handling: When rolling out and cutting the dough, try not to overwork it. This keeps the donuts light and fluffy.
  4. Even Filling Distribution: When filling the donuts, ensure that the cheesecake mixture is evenly distributed. It helps to practice a bit to get the hang of how much filling each donut needs.
  5. Glaze Setting: Allow the glaze to set properly on the donuts. A quick tip is to place them in front of a fan to speed up the drying process​ (The Virtual Caterer)​.

Variations

While the classic strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are delicious, you can try these variations to mix things up:

  1. Blueberry Cheesecake Donuts: Substitute strawberry jam with blueberry jam in the cheesecake filling and the glaze. Add fresh blueberries on top for garnish​ (CookiesPedia)​.
  2. Chocolate Cheesecake Donuts: Mix some cocoa powder into the dough and use a chocolate glaze. Fill the donuts with a chocolate cheesecake mixture for a decadent twist.
  3. Lemon Cheesecake Donuts: Use lemon curd instead of strawberry jam in the filling and glaze. The tangy lemon flavor pairs wonderfully with the rich cheesecake filling.
  4. Nutella Cheesecake Donuts: Fill the donuts with a mix of Nutella and cream cheese for a chocolate-hazelnut delight. Top with crushed hazelnuts for added texture.

Serving Suggestions

To make the most out of your homemade donuts, consider these serving ideas:

  1. Best Served Warm: These donuts are at their best when served warm. The warmth enhances the gooeyness of the filling and the tenderness of the dough. Reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds if they’ve cooled down.
  2. Pair with Beverages: Enjoy these donuts with a cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk to balance out the sweetness. For a more indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
  3. Presentation: Make your donuts visually appealing by garnishing them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of extra strawberry jam, or some fresh strawberry slices. This not only boosts the flavor but also makes them look irresistible for any occasion.

When it comes to making strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts, you might have a few questions. Here are some frequently asked questions to help ensure your donut-making experience is as smooth as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent the donuts from becoming soggy?

To prevent your donuts from becoming soggy, make sure to:

  • Fry at the Correct Temperature: Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C). This helps achieve a crisp exterior without absorbing too much oil.
  • Proper Cooling: After frying, place the donuts on a wire rack to cool. This allows air to circulate around the donuts, preventing them from sitting in their own steam and becoming soggy.
  • Avoid Overfilling: Ensure you don’t overfill the donuts with cheesecake mixture, as excess filling can make the donuts soggy from the inside.

Can I bake instead of fry the donuts?

Yes, you can bake the donuts instead of frying them:

  • Prepare the Dough: Follow the same dough preparation steps.
  • Shape the Donuts: Roll out the dough and cut the donuts as usual.
  • Bake: Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Baking gives a different texture compared to frying but is a healthier alternative.

How long can I store the filled donuts?

Filled donuts can be stored:

  • Refrigerator: Store the donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The cheesecake filling needs to be kept cool to prevent spoilage.
  • Room Temperature: If you prefer to store them at room temperature, it’s best to do so without the filling and glaze. The unfilled donuts can stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

What can I use instead of strawberry jam?

If you don’t have strawberry jam or want to try something different, you can use:

  • Other Fruit Preserves: Blueberry, raspberry, or apricot preserves work wonderfully.
  • Nutella: For a chocolatey twist, use Nutella or any chocolate spread.
  • Lemon Curd: For a tangy variation, lemon curd can be a delicious alternative.

Additional Questions

How do I know when the donuts are properly fried?

To ensure your donuts are properly fried:

  • Color: They should be golden brown on the outside.
  • Time: Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the donuts reaches around 190°F (88°C).

Can I use a different type of flour?

While all-purpose flour is recommended for the best texture, you can experiment with other types:

  • Bread Flour: This can give the donuts a chewier texture.
  • Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier option, replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. The texture will be denser.

Final Thoughts

Making strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts at home can be a truly rewarding experience. These delightful treats combine the best elements of both donuts and cheesecake, offering a unique and delicious indulgence that is perfect for any occasion. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create donuts that are not only tasty but also visually appealing.

Remember, the key to success is in the details: ensuring your dough rises properly, frying at the right temperature, and filling with just the right amount of cheesecake mixture. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations to suit your taste or to add a personal touch with creative toppings and glazes.

Whether you serve them warm for breakfast, as a dessert at a party, or simply as a delightful snack, these donuts are sure to impress. Happy baking, and enjoy every bite of your homemade strawberry cheesecake stuffed donuts!