Soft, fluffy, and generously filled with silky vanilla pastry cream, these homemade Cream-Filled Donuts are bakery-quality treats you’ll want to make again and again. Coated in sugar and packed with rich custard, every bite is irresistibly light, creamy, and indulgent. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat, these classic French-style donuts are guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Vanilla Pastry Cream

• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 egg yolks
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Coating

• 1 cup granulated sugar or powdered sugar

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Instructions

Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Add eggs, butter, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
4. Cover and let rise for 1½ hours, until doubled in size.

Prepare the Pastry Cream

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan until warm.
2. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
3. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking.
4. Return to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.
6. Cover and chill completely.

Fry the Donuts

1. Roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness.
2. Cut circles and let them rise for 30 minutes.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry each donut for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Drain and coat in sugar.

Fill the Donuts

1. Transfer the pastry cream to a piping bag.
2. Fill each donut generously through the side.
3. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

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Prep Time

30 minutes

Rise Time

2 hours

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

2 hours 50 minutes

Servings

12 donuts