Are you craving something sweet, yet satisfying? Look no further! These raspberry filled donuts are the perfect blend of fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dough and a burst of tangy raspberry filling. This recipe is surprisingly easy, making it ideal for a weekend baking project or even a quick weeknight treat. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these homemade delights – they’re far superior to anything you'd find in a store! This recipe is a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals, offering a delicious alternative to store-bought pastries.
Ingredients:
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Raspberry Filling:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Making the Donut Dough:
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix!
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size. A slightly warmer oven (turned off) can help speed up this process.
Making the Raspberry Filling:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
- Cook the Filling: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the raspberries have broken down, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cool the Filling: Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.
Shaping and Frying the Donuts:
- Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thickness. Use a 3-inch donut cutter (or a biscuit cutter and a smaller round cutter to create the hole) to cut out the donuts.
- Second Rise: Place the donuts on a lightly floured baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Fry the Donuts: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the donuts for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Drain and Cool: Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Let them cool completely.
Filling and Glazing the Donuts:
- Fill the Donuts: Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off to fill the donuts with the cooled raspberry filling.
- Make the Glaze (Optional): Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and salt until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.
- Glaze the Donuts: Dip the filled donuts in the glaze and let the excess drip off.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of regular milk.
- Feel free to experiment with other fillings, such as chocolate ganache, custard, or lemon curd.
- If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use a biscuit cutter and a smaller round cutter to create the hole.
- To make ahead, you can fry the donuts and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Fill and glaze them just before serving.
Nutritional Information (per donut, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250-300 (depending on glaze and filling)
This information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Enjoy your delicious homemade raspberry filled donuts! They’re a perfect treat for any occasion, a delightful addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas, and a satisfying way to indulge in homemade cooking. These best recipes are easy to follow and always produce amazing results.