Donuts Stuffed Recipe: Easy Homemade Hazelnut Filled Treats

Oh my goodness, friends, prepare yourselves for a treat that’s about to change your weekend breakfast game forever! These stuffed donuts are what sweet dreams are made of – pillowy soft on the outside with the most heavenly fillings tucked inside. The moment you bite into one of these golden beauties and get that first taste of the luscious filling, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for regular donuts. Trust me on this one, these stuffed donuts are absolutely next-level delicious and worth every minute you spend making them!

Why Everyone Will Love This Recipe

• Customizable Fillings: Create your perfect donut by filling it with anything from classic custard to decadent chocolate, fruit jams, or even savory options!
• Impressive Treat: These look like they came straight from a fancy bakery, but you made them in your own kitchen (and nobody needs to know how easy they actually were).
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough the night before and have fresh, warm donuts ready for a special breakfast or brunch.
• Family Activity: Get the kids involved in choosing fillings and decorating the tops – it’s a delicious way to spend quality time together.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Stuffed Donuts

All you need for these Donuts Stuffed Recipe, and a bit of patience! Yes, they’re that worth it. But first, gather up these ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect structure for our donuts – measure it by spooning into measuring cups for accuracy.
• Active dry yeast: The magic ingredient that makes our donuts rise into fluffy perfection.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast.
• Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Eggs: Adds richness and structure to the dough – room temperature works best.
• Butter: Use unsalted so you can control the salt level; it adds that irresistible richness.
• Milk: Warm it to the perfect temperature to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Vanilla extract: That warm background note that makes everything taste better.
• Fillings: Choose your favorites – pastry cream, Nutella, fruit preserves, or get creative!
• Vegetable oil: For frying the donuts to golden perfection – use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point.
• Powdered sugar: For that classic, sweet coating that makes donuts instantly recognizable.

Note: The ingredients with measurements will be right under the article in the recipe card.

How to Make the Donuts Stuffed

Step 1: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk your flour with salt this helps distribute the salt evenly throughout the dough. In a separate small bowl, combine your warm milk (think baby-bath warm, around 110°F), sugar, egg, and dry yeast, whisking until well blended. Pour this liquid mixture into your dry ingredients and get in there with your hands! Knead everything together until you have a smooth, elastic dough that feels alive under your fingers. Shape it into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until noticeably puffy.

Step 2: Portion and Pre-Rise

Once your dough has risen, gently deflate it and divide it into 10 equal portions. I find a kitchen scale super helpful here for consistency, but you can also just eyeball it. Roll each portion into a ball by cupping your hand over the dough and moving in circular motions against your work surface. Place these dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet with enough space between them, cover loosely, and let them rest for 20 minutes. This short rest makes the dough more pliable for the next step.

Step 3: Shape and Fill

Here comes the fun part! Roll each ball into a rectangle with rounded edges – aim for about 4×3 inches. Don’t stress about making it perfect; the organic shape adds to their homemade charm. Load your hazelnut spread into a pastry bag (or use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe a dollop of that chocolatey goodness right in the center of each rectangle. About a tablespoon is perfect – enough to taste in every bite without risking overflow during frying.

Step 4: Seal and Form

Now, carefully pinch the long edges of your rectangle together, creating a seam that completely seals in the filling. Then connect the ends to form a circle, pinching these joints well to prevent any filling from escaping during frying. Place your sealed donuts back on the parchment paper, cover them again, and let them rest for another 20 minutes. This final rest allows the dough to relax and puff slightly before hitting the hot oil.

Step 5: Fry and Finish

Heat your oil to exactly 350°F (175°C) – seriously, use a thermometer here, it makes all the difference! Gently lower 2-3 donuts into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and fry for another 2 minutes on the second side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. While they’re still warm (but not too hot to handle), roll each donut in granulated sugar to coat completely. That sugar will stick perfectly to the slight residual oil on the surface, creating that classic sweet exterior.

Modifications You Can Try

• Filling Options: Swap the hazelnut spread for vanilla custard, fruit jam, or even a savory cheese filling for a completely different experience.
• Sugar Variations: Instead of plain granulated sugar, try cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or even a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
• Mini Version: Make 20 smaller portions instead of 10 for bite-sized treats that are perfect for sharing.
• Two-Tone Look: After frying, dip just half of each donut in a chocolate glaze for an eye-catching presentation that hints at the filling inside.

Pro Tips for Successful Stuffed Donuts Every Time

• Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to maintain that perfect 350°F frying temperature – it’s not just a suggestion, it’s essential for donut perfection.
• Do the Float Test: If you’re unsure your dough has risen enough, pinch off a small piece and drop it in oil – if it floats immediately, you’re good to go!
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry just a few donuts at a time to maintain oil temperature and give them room to puff up properly.
• Filling Strategy: For filled donuts, wait until they’re completely cooled before adding fillings, but dust with sugar while still warm for better sticking power.

How to Serve Donuts Stuffed

These stuffed donuts deserve to be the center of attention! Here’s how to showcase them:

• Donut Board: Create a beautiful donut board with different fillings and toppings – perfect for brunch gatherings. For a seasonal variation, add slices of our Best Pumpkin Bread Recipe to create a complete breakfast spread.
• Coffee Pairing: Serve with a variety of coffees or hot chocolate for the ultimate indulgent breakfast experience.
• Ice Cream Sidekick: Split a warm stuffed donut and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between the halves for an over-the-top dessert that will make everyone swoon.

Storing and Freezing Your Filled Donuts

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The fresher they are, the better they taste, but a quick 10-second microwave zap can revive day-old donuts beautifully.

Freezing

You can freeze unfilled donuts for up to 2 months! Thaw at room temperature, then warm slightly and add your filling just before serving for that fresh-made taste.

Reheating

For the best texture, warm refrigerated donuts in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes or give them 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Just don’t overheat filled donuts or you’ll have a messy (though delicious) situation on your hands!

FAQs About Making Stuffed Donuts at Home

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

While these donuts are designed for frying to get that authentic texture and flavor, you can bake them in a 350°F oven for about 12-15 minutes. The texture will be different – more bread-like than traditional donuts – but still delicious! Brush them with melted butter right after baking for added richness.

What’s the best way to fill donuts without a piping bag?

No piping bag? No problem! You can use a clean squeeze bottle (like the kind used for condiments) or even make your own piping bag by cutting a small corner off a ziplock bag. For larger fillings like pastry cream, you can also cut a small slit in the side of the donut with a paring knife and spoon the filling in.

Why did my donuts come out dense instead of fluffy?

Dense donuts usually mean your dough didn’t rise enough. This could be due to old yeast, liquid that was too hot (killing the yeast), or not enough rising time. Make sure your yeast is fresh, your milk is just warm to the touch, and you’re patient with both rise times. Your kitchen temperature also matters – find a warm, draft-free spot for optimal rising.

Why These Stuffed Donuts Will Be Your New Favorite Treat

These homemade Donuts Stuffed with rich hazelnut spread deliver that perfect combination of fluffy, fried goodness and indulgent filling that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re making them for a special weekend breakfast, brunch with friends, or just satisfying your sweet tooth cravings, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into bakery-quality treats right in your kitchen.

Looking for more delicious breakfast treats? Be sure to check out our other breakfast pastry recipes, including our popular cinnamon rolls, breakfast muffins, and classic pancakes with a twist!

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