Fluffy Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe: A Sweet Morning Treat

Sweet bavarian cream donuts tantalize taste buds with their luxurious European-inspired pastry craft.

Rich custard-filled delicacies promise an indulgent culinary experience that transcends ordinary dessert expectations.

These delectable treats blend delicate textures and smooth, velvety filling in a harmonious symphony of flavor.

Classic German pastry techniques elevate this beloved confection beyond simple street fare.

Delicate dough envelops a silky custard center, creating a mesmerizing contrast between crisp exterior and luscious interior.

Soft, pillowy pastry whispers elegance with each decadent bite, inviting sensory exploration of its nuanced profile.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike can master this sophisticated dessert with careful technique and passion.

Bavarian Cream Donuts That Are Filled to Perfection

• Creamy Dreamy Indulgence: These Bavarian Cream Donuts offer a luxurious filling that transforms an ordinary pastry into a decadent dessert experience with silky-smooth pastry cream nestled inside a light, golden-fried dough.
• Bakery-Perfect Technique: The careful two-stage proofing process ensures donuts rise beautifully, creating an incredibly soft, pillowy texture that bakery professionals would proudly serve, making home bakers feel like professional pastry chefs.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: From mixing yeast to filling with cream, this recipe delivers maximum satisfaction in under two hours, allowing even busy home cooks to create restaurant-quality donuts that will impress family and friends with minimal complex steps.
• Customizable Comfort Treat: Adaptable for various occasions like brunches, dessert parties, or weekend family breakfasts, these donuts provide a versatile sweet option that can be easily personalized with different sugar coatings or additional flavor variations.

What Goes into Making Bavarian Cream Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour: High-protein flour for strong, stretchy dough with good gluten development.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps activate yeast for dough rising.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough fermentation and light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Provides additional leavening for soft donut texture.

• Milk: Warm liquid to activate yeast and add moisture to dough.
• Eggs: Provides richness, structure, and helps bind ingredients.
• Shortening: Creates tender, soft texture in donuts.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet background flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Creates light, fluffy filling with rich texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream.
• Pastry Cream: Dense, creamy filling with classic vanilla flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet coating for freshly fried donuts.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep frying at consistent temperature.

How to Fry and Fill Bavarian Donuts at Home

Step 1: Prepare Pastry Cream

Create a smooth, rich pastry cream and refrigerate until chilled and firm.

Step 2: Activate Yeast

• Sugar
• Yeast

Let the mixture bubble and become frothy.

Step 3: Create Dough Base

• Remaining sugar
• Shortening
• Eggs
• Vanilla

Mix thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Develop Dough Texture

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Knead into a smooth and elastic dough.

Step 5: Allow First Rise

Place dough in a warm, humid oven and let rise until doubled in size.

Step 6: Shape and Second Rise

Gently shape donuts and allow a second rise period.

Step 7: Fry Donuts

Heat oil to 350°F and carefully fry donuts until golden brown.

Step 8: Sugar Coating

Roll hot donuts in granulated sugar and let cool completely.

Step 9: Create Cream Filling

Whip cream with powdered sugar and gently fold in chilled pastry cream.

Step 10: Fill Donuts

Use a piping bag to fill donuts with creamy mixture.

Tips to Prevent Overfilling or Leaking Cream

• Precise Temperature Control: Use a digital thermometer to ensure accurate milk and oil temperatures for perfect yeast activation and golden-brown donuts.
• Dough Kneading Technique: Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, which develops gluten and creates a soft, tender donut texture.
• Proofing Environment: Create a warm, humid proofing space by placing a pan of hot water in the oven to help the dough rise evenly and consistently.
• Oil Frying Mastery: Maintain a steady 350°F oil temperature and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve uniformly crispy, non-greasy donuts.
• Filling Finesse: Use a star-tipped piping bag for even, beautiful cream distribution and elegant presentation when filling Bavarian cream donuts.

Storage Tips for Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Refrigerate: Store filled Bavarian cream donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to maintain quality and taste.
• Reheating: Bring refrigerated donuts to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can make the dough soggy. For a crisp texture, briefly warm in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes before enjoying.

Best Pairings with Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Delightful Dessert Wine Pairing: Sip a chilled moscato or sweet riesling that complements the creamy, sugary richness of the Bavarian cream donut.
• Complementary Coffee Companion: Enjoy a smooth cappuccino or hazelnut latte beside these donuts, letting the coffee's warmth balance the sweet, creamy filling.
• Classic Milk Match: Serve cold whole milk or vanilla almond milk to enhance the donut's decadent texture and provide a refreshing contrast to its sugary exterior.
• Fruity Flavor Booster: Add a side of fresh raspberries or strawberries to cut through the richness and introduce a bright, tangy element to your dessert experience.

Variations for Flavored Cream-Filled Donuts

• Chocolate Bavarian Cream Donuts: Enhance the pastry cream by whisking in melted dark chocolate for a rich, decadent flavor that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Fruit-Infused Bavarian Cream Donuts: Incorporate fresh raspberry or strawberry puree into the cream filling for a burst of fruity freshness and vibrant color.
• Spiced Bavarian Cream Donuts: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the pastry cream for a warm, aromatic twist that elevates the classic donut experience.
• Salted Caramel Bavarian Cream Donuts: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the filled donuts for an irresistible sweet and salty combination that will tantalize taste buds.

Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Bavarian Cream Donuts offer a delightful German pastry experience with silky custard nestled in pillowy fried dough. Delicate and light, these treats bring European bakery magic right to your plate, promising pure indulgence in each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups bread flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 12 cups canola oil

Dough Enhancers and Seasonings:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup shortening
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Coating and Filling:

• 3 cups granulated sugar for rolling
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 batch pastry cream (prepared ahead)

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Instructions

1. Prepare pastry cream ahead of time and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, ensuring a smooth and stable filling for the donuts.
2. Gently heat milk to 105-110°F (40-43°C), then sprinkle of sugar and active dry yeast, allowing the mixture to activate and become frothy for approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with remaining sugar, vegetable shortening, whole eggs, and pure vanilla extract, whisking until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
4. Sift together all-purpose flour, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda, then gradually incorporate into the wet ingredients, kneading methodically until a soft, elastic dough forms with a smooth texture.
5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and proof in a warm, humid environment (approximately 80-85°F or 27-29°C) until volume doubles, roughly 60-90 minutes.
6. Punch down the risen dough, shape into uniform rounds, and allow a second proofing period until donuts become puffy and light.
7. Heat vegetable oil to precisely 350°F (175°C) in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot, carefully frying donuts until they achieve a golden-brown exterior.
8. Immediately transfer fried donuts to a wire rack lined with paper towels, then roll in granulated sugar while still warm for a delicate, sweet coating.
9. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, then gently fold in the chilled pastry cream, creating a luxurious, airy filling.
10. Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip, inject the cream mixture into the cooled donuts from the side, ensuring even distribution of the delectable filling.

Notes

• Prepare pastry cream in advance to ensure it’s thoroughly chilled before filling donuts.
• Activate yeast carefully by using warm milk at the precise temperature of 105-110°F for perfect dough rising.
• Kneading dough develops gluten, creating a soft, tender texture that’s essential for light and fluffy donuts.
• Proofing in a warm, humid environment allows dough to rise evenly and develop rich, complex flavors.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature at 350°F while frying to achieve golden-brown donuts without absorbing excess oil.
• Fold whipped cream gently into pastry cream to create a luxurious, airy filling that’s smooth and decadent.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg