Fluffy Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe: Homemade Bakery Magic

Bavarian cream donuts spark pure culinary magic in every delightful bite.

Sweet pastry dreams come alive with rich, silky filling.

Delicate dough cradles a luscious custard center that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Decadent layers of flavor dance between soft, pillowy texture and creamy smoothness.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore these delectable treats.

Minimal ingredients combine to create an extraordinary dessert experience.

Fall in love with this irresistible classic that promises pure indulgence.

What’s Irresistible About Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Craft Bakery-Quality Treats: Create professional-grade donuts right in your home kitchen that rival any specialty bakery's offerings.
• Master Complex Pastry Techniques: Learn sophisticated baking skills by practicing delicate steps like making Bavarian cream and perfectly frying donuts.
• Impress Family and Friends: Serve stunning homemade donuts that showcase your culinary creativity and baking prowess during gatherings or special occasions.
• Enjoy Customizable Dessert Experience: Personalize the recipe by adjusting cream consistency, experimenting with additional flavors like chocolate or fruit extracts, or trying different sugar dustings.

What You’ll Need for Bavarian Cream Donuts

Main Ingredients:

• Active Dry Yeast: A crucial ingredient that helps the dough rise and creates a light, fluffy texture for the donuts.
• Warm Milk: Provides the perfect environment for yeast activation and adds richness to the dough.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary base that gives structure to the donut dough.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning during frying.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the donuts.

• Unsalted Butter: Softens the dough and adds a rich, smooth flavor.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, comforting flavor to both the dough and cream.

Bavarian Cream Components:

• Egg Yolks: Create a rich, smooth custard base for the cream filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the Bavarian cream.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the cream and create a smooth consistency.

• Milk: Forms the primary liquid for the Bavarian cream.

Frying and Finishing:

• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep-frying the donuts to achieve a golden-brown exterior.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides a sweet, decorative finish to the filled donuts.

How to Make Fluffy Bavarian Cream Donuts

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Combine warm milk with yeast and let it bloom into a foamy paradise. Wait 5-7 minutes until the mixture looks alive and bubbly.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Softened butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Combine with the activated yeast mixture until silky and uniform.

Step 4: Form the Dough

Gradually merge wet and dry ingredients. Knead the mixture until it transforms into a soft, elastic dough that feels smooth and pliable.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the dough and place in a warm spot. Allow it to expand and double in size, which takes about an hour.

Step 6: Prepare Luscious Bavarian Cream

• Egg yolks
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Pinch of salt

Blend until the mixture turns pale and creamy.

Step 7: Create Cream Base

Warm milk in a saucepan until it gently simmers. Slowly stream hot milk into egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.

Step 8: Thicken the Cream

Return mixture to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the cream transforms into a thick, pudding-like consistency (3-4 minutes).

Step 9: Cool the Cream

Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract. Transfer to a bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.

Step 10: Roll and Shape Dough

Spread dough on a floured surface, rolling to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut circular donut shapes using a round cutter.

Step 11: Second Rise

Place cut donuts on a lightly floured baking sheet. Let them proof for 30 minutes in a warm location.

Step 12: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot. Gently fry donuts until they turn golden brown (1-2 minutes per side).

Step 13: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer fried donuts to paper towels to remove extra oil.

Step 14: Fill with Creamy Goodness

Load Bavarian cream into a piping bag. Inject cream into the side of each donut.

Step 15: Final Flourish

Dust donuts generously with powdered sugar. Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy!

Smart Tips for Frying and Filling Donuts

• Master Yeast Activation: Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to properly activate yeast without killing it, creating a perfect rise.
• Prevent Cream Curdling: Stream hot milk slowly into egg mixture while whisking vigorously to maintain smooth, silky Bavarian cream consistency.
• Control Frying Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain steady 350°F oil, guaranteeing golden-brown donuts without burning or undercooking.
• Optimize Dough Rising: Place dough in draft-free, warm spot like inside a turned-off oven with light on to encourage maximum volume and softness.
• Smooth Cream Filling: Cover Bavarian cream surface with plastic wrap directly touching the cream to prevent skin formation and ensure creamy texture.

Ways to Change Up Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Chocolate Bavarian Cream Donuts: Add cocoa powder to the Bavarian cream for a rich, chocolatey filling that complements the light, fluffy donut base.
• Fruit-Infused Bavarian Cream Donuts: Mix pureed strawberries or raspberries into the cream for a vibrant, fruity flavor profile that adds a fresh twist.
• Spiced Bavarian Cream Donuts: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the cream for a warm, aromatic variation that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Salted Caramel Bavarian Cream Donuts: Swirl salted caramel sauce into the Bavarian cream for a decadent, sweet-and-salty filling that creates a luxurious taste experience.

What Goes Well with Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Elevate Sweet Comfort: Pairing Bavarian Cream Donuts with Delightful Companions
• Brew the Perfect Coffee Match: Dark roast espresso or rich Colombian coffee cuts through the creamy sweetness, balancing the donut's rich texture with robust caffeine depth.
• Complement with Fruity Contrast: Fresh raspberry or strawberry compote provides a tangy counterpoint, brightening the dessert's creamy vanilla notes and adding vibrant color to the plate.
• Create Seasonal Wine Experience: Late harvest Riesling or moscato d'asti wines offer a delicate sweetness that harmonizes with the donut's custard filling, creating an elegant dessert pairing.

Storing Bavarian Donuts Without Losing Fluffiness

• Store Bavarian cream donuts in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before enjoying to preserve their soft, fluffy quality.
• Keep donuts at room temperature for no longer than 4-6 hours. Place on a plate loosely covered with a clean kitchen towel to prevent moisture buildup and maintain their freshness.
• Store unused Bavarian cream separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Bavarian Cream Donut FAQs for Beginners

• Can I make the Bavarian cream ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cream up to 2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.

• How do I know if my yeast is active?

The yeast is active when it becomes foamy and bubbly after 5-7 minutes in warm milk. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired or the milk was too hot or cold.

• What if my dough doesn't rise properly?

Ensure your environment is warm and draft-free. A temperature around 80-85°F is ideal for dough rising. If the room is cold, place the dough in a slightly warmed oven or near a warm appliance.

Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Bavarian cream donuts elevate classic pastry with luxurious German-inspired filling. Rich custard nestled in pillowy dough creates a delightful indulgence you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Donuts

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt

Liquids and Fats

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Bavarian Cream Filling

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Frying and Finishing

• 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast in warm milk, allowing it to foam and become frothy for about 5-7 minutes.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a dry ingredient base.
3. Incorporate softened butter, eggs, and vanilla into the yeast mixture, blending until smooth and well-combined.
4. Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, kneading until a soft, elastic dough forms.
5. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. For the Bavarian cream, whisk egg yolks with sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl until pale and creamy.
7. Heat milk in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle simmer, then slowly stream the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
8. Return the mixture to the saucepan, cooking over medium heat and stirring continuously until the cream thickens and becomes pudding-like, about 3-4 minutes.
9. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and transfer to a bowl to cool completely, covering the surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
10. Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/2 inch thickness.
11. Cut out circular donut shapes using a round cutter, placing them on a lightly floured baking sheet.
12. Allow the cut donuts to proof for an additional 30 minutes in a warm location.
13. Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot.
14. Carefully fry donuts until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side, maintaining consistent oil temperature.
15. Drain fried donuts on paper towels to remove excess oil.
16. Once cooled, fill a piping bag with Bavarian cream and inject into the side of each donut.
17. Dust the filled donuts generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully, ensuring the milk temperature is between 100-110°F to prevent killing the yeast and ensure proper rising.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to create a smoother, more consistent dough texture and promote even mixing.
• Allow sufficient proofing time for the dough, placing it in a draft-free, warm spot like inside a turned-off oven with the light on to encourage optimal rising.
• When frying, maintain consistent oil temperature using a digital thermometer to prevent greasy or undercooked donuts, adjusting heat as needed to stay around 350°F.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 114 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg