Fluffy Lemon Curd Donuts Recipe: Bright Citrus Treats in Minutes

Lemon curd donuts offer a zesty twist on classic pastry indulgence that upgrades ordinary dessert experiences.

Sweet pastry lovers constantly seek innovative flavor combinations that surprise and delight their taste buds.

These sunshine-infused treats blend tangy citrus notes with pillowy soft dough, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.

Homemade lemon curd provides a luxurious, bright filling that elevates the humble donut into a gourmet experience.

Each bite promises a delightful burst of citrusy sweetness that dances across your palate with remarkable complexity.

Light, airy dough serves as the perfect canvas for the vibrant lemon curd intense, refreshing character.

Passionate bakers will appreciate the nuanced technique required to achieve these delectable pastries.

Donuts with a Luscious Citrus Surprise Inside

• Burst of Zesty Flavor: These donuts pack a punch with bright, tangy lemon curd that cuts through the rich, sweet dough, creating a mouthwatering flavor explosion that dances on your taste buds.
• Irresistible Texture Contrast: Experience the magic of crispy golden-fried exterior giving way to a soft, pillowy interior, topped with a silky-smooth lemon filling that adds an unexpected creamy dimension.
• Quick Weekend Baking Triumph: Master these donuts in just a few hours, with simple steps that make you feel like a professional baker, perfect for impressing family and friends during lazy weekend brunches or afternoon tea parties.
• Customizable Comfort Treat: Adapt the recipe easily by adjusting lemon intensity or trying different citrus zests, making it a versatile dessert that welcomes creativity and personal touch in the kitchen.

Ingredients That Make These Donuts Special

• Flour: Soft, all-purpose flour for light and tender donuts.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice for extra flavor depth.
• Rapid-Rise Yeast: Essential for dough rising and soft texture.
• Butter: Softened, provides richness and tender crumb.
• Milk: Warm milk activates yeast and adds moisture.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten.

• Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creamy base for filling.
• Lemon Curd: Tangy, bright filling with zesty flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Adds intense citrus aroma.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet coating for warm donuts.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep-frying donuts to golden perfection.

How to Fill and Glaze Lemon Curd Donuts

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredient Mixture

In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and yeast until completely combined.

Step 2: Create Butter Layer

Softly scatter softened butter over the dry ingredient mixture, creating a textured surface.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Warm milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Form Donut Dough

Attach dough hook to mixer. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix for 10-12 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.

Step 5: First Dough Rise

Oil your hands and shape dough into a perfect ball. Transfer to a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm spot for 90 minutes until doubled in size.

Step 6: Shape Donut Rounds

Punch down risen dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3-inch cookie cutter to create uniform circles. Place on baking sheet.

Step 7: Second Dough Rise

Cover shaped donuts. Allow to rise for additional 30 minutes, becoming puffy and light.

Step 8: Prepare Lemon Filling

• Vanilla pudding mix
• Milk
• Lemon curd
• Fresh lemon zest

Mix until creamy and well blended.

Step 9: Heat Frying Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot. Heat to exactly 345°F, using a cooking thermometer for precision.

Step 10: Fry Donuts

Carefully lower donuts into hot oil. Fry 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 11: Final Touches

While donuts are still warm, roll in granulated sugar. Use a piping bag to fill with lemon curd mixture.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately for maximum freshness and flavor. Watch friends and family devour these delightful treats!

Tips for Frying Without the Grease Overload

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is precisely 110°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a soft, fluffy donut texture.
• Knead with Care: Develop gluten by kneading the dough thoroughly, creating a stretchy, smooth consistency that results in lighter donuts.
• Monitor Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 345°F oil heat to prevent donuts from absorbing excess oil or burning, ensuring golden-brown perfection.
• Rest and Rise Strategically: Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area to help it double in size, which guarantees maximum fluffiness and volume.
• Pipe with Precision: Use a narrow piping tip to inject lemon curd filling evenly, ensuring each bite has a burst of tangy, creamy flavor throughout the donut.

Keeping Donuts Soft Even After Storing

• Refrigeration: Seal donuts in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
• Room Temperature: Leave donuts at room temperature for no more than 4 hours to maintain their soft texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating: Warm donuts gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their fresh-baked taste and fluffy texture.

Drinks and Treats That Go With Lemon Donuts

• Pair with Citrus-Infused Beverage: Complement the tangy lemon curd with a refreshing lemon-lavender iced tea or a chilled limoncello spritzer, enhancing the bright citrus notes.
• Match with Creamy Counterpoint: Balance the donuts' sweetness with a light, tangy Greek yogurt smoothie or a cold brew coffee with a splash of vanilla cream, creating a delightful textural contrast.
• Serve Alongside Fresh Fruit: Elevate the dessert experience by pairing with a mixed berry compote or a plate of fresh strawberries and raspberries, adding a natural, vibrant freshness to each bite.
• Indulge with Dessert Wine: Finish the treat with a small glass of Moscato d'Asti or a chilled Sauternes, whose subtle sweetness and delicate fruit notes will harmonize perfectly with the lemon curd's zesty flavor.

Lemon Donut Twists That Are Just as Delicious

• Citrus Berry Blast: Replace lemon curd with mixed berry compote, adding fresh raspberries and blueberries to the filling for a vibrant fruity version.
• Tropical Paradise Punch: Swap lemon curd for passion fruit curd, garnish with toasted coconut flakes and a hint of rum extract for a Caribbean-inspired treat.
• Spiced Caramel Dream: Infuse the filling with salted caramel sauce and a dash of ground cardamom, dusting the donuts with cinnamon sugar for a warm, rich flavor profile.
• Chocolate Orange Fusion: Incorporate orange zest into the dough, fill with chocolate ganache mixed with orange marmalade, then dust with powdered cocoa for a decadent chocolate-citrus combination.

Lemon Curd Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty lemon curd donuts bring sunshine to your plate with a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Pillowy pastry filled with silky lemon cream promises a delightful escape that leaves you craving another bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups (440 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened, cubed
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable oil

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons rapid-rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Sweet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) warm milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3.4 ounces (96 grams) vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• 1 cup lemon curd
• Zest of 1 lemon

Topping:

• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a harmonious blend of dry ingredients in a stand mixer’s bowl, whisking flour, sugar, cinnamon, and rapid-rise yeast until evenly distributed.
2. Strategically sprinkle softened butter across the dry mixture, preparing for dough formation.
3. Create a complementary liquid base by merging precisely warmed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in a separate vessel, ensuring thorough integration.
4. Marry wet and dry components using a dough hook, mechanically kneading for 10-12 minutes until a cohesive, elastic dough emerges.
5. Tenderly shape the dough into a smooth sphere using lightly oiled hands, transferring it to a greased bowl and enveloping with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel.
6. Allow the dough to undergo a transformative rising process in a warm environment for 90 minutes, anticipating a substantial volume increase.
7. Deflate the risen dough with a gentle punch, then roll it onto a flour-dusted surface, utilizing a 3-inch cookie cutter to shape delicate rounds.
8. Arrange the cut dough on a baking sheet, draping with a light cover to permit a secondary 30-minute proofing period.
9. Simultaneously prepare the frying medium by heating vegetable oil to a precise 345°F, creating an ideal thermal environment for browning.
10. Construct a zesty filling by blending vanilla pudding mix with milk until thickened, then incorporating vibrant lemon curd and fragrant lemon zest.
11. Submerge each dough round in hot oil, frying for approximately two minutes per side until achieving a golden, crisp exterior.
12. Rescue the freshly fried donuts, allowing excess oil to drain on absorbent paper towels.
13. While still radiating warmth, enrobe the donuts in a delicate sugar coating.
14. Employ a piping bag to generously inject the lemon-infused filling, transforming each donut into a delectable, creamy delight.

Notes

• Master this donut recipe by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to achieve the perfect soft, pillowy texture.
• Check milk temperature precisely with a digital thermometer to activate yeast correctly and prevent dense, heavy donuts.
• Proofing the dough in a warm, draft-free spot guarantees optimal rising and helps develop rich, complex flavors.
• Use a candy thermometer when frying to maintain consistent oil temperature, which prevents greasy or burnt donuts.
• Work quickly when filling donuts to keep the lemon curd mixture smooth and prevent separation or lumpy texture.
• Store filled donuts in an airtight container and consume within 24 hours for maximum freshness and flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg