There’s no need to worry when you have these Boston Cream Donuts in your kitchen! A perfect balance of soft, fluffy donuts filled with rich custard cream and topped with smooth chocolate glaze, these donuts will delight your taste buds. If you’ve ever craved the perfect combination of sweet and creamy, look no further—these homemade donuts will give you the Boston Cream experience in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
1 cup whole milk
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Canola or vegetable oil for frying
For the Custard Filling:
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Glaze:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Donut Dough
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, warm the milk over low heat until it’s just warm to the touch (about 110°F/45°C). Stir in the yeast and granulated sugar, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and frothy.
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until the dough begins to come together.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Fry the Donuts
Prepare the Frying Oil: Heat about 3 inches of oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Shape the Donuts: Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a donut cutter or a large round cookie cutter to cut out donut shapes. Re-roll the scraps to make more donuts.
Fry the Donuts: Gently lower the donuts into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Custard Filling
Heat the Milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
Whisk the Custard Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks. Slowly add the warm milk to the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
Cook the Custard: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 5–7 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Let it cool completely before using it to fill the donuts.
Step 4: Make the Chocolate Glaze
Melt the Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped semisweet chocolate, heavy cream, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Step 5: Assemble the Donuts
Fill the Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to inject the custard filling into the center of each donut. Be gentle when inserting the piping tip to avoid breaking the donut.
Glaze the Donuts: Dip the tops of the filled donuts into the chocolate glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to set.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Boston Cream Donuts fresh, or store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Why This Recipe Works
Homemade Donuts: The soft, fluffy donuts form the perfect base for the rich custard filling and chocolate glaze.
Perfect Custard: The egg yolks and cornstarch create a silky smooth custard that’s not too thick or runny, making for the ideal filling.
Chocolate Glaze: The smooth and shiny chocolate glaze is the perfect finish, adding sweetness and richness to each bite.
Tips for Recipe Success
Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh to guarantee a good rise in the dough.
Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer: Fry the donuts in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even frying.
Cool the Custard: Let the custard cool completely before filling the donuts to prevent it from melting or leaking.
Set the Glaze: Allow the chocolate glaze to set for a few minutes so it doesn’t slide off the donuts.
Serving Suggestions
Perfect for a Dessert: These donuts are ideal for a special dessert or breakfast treat.
Pair with Coffee: Enjoy these donuts with a cup of hot coffee or a cappuccino to complement the sweet flavors.
Gift Idea: Box them up and give them as a delicious gift for friends and family.
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature: Store the donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Freezing: Freeze the donuts (without the chocolate glaze) for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, thaw and glaze them before enjoying.
Why You’ll Love These Boston Cream Donuts
These Boston Cream Donuts are a fun and decadent way to enjoy the classic Boston cream flavor in donut form. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just for yourself, the combination of fresh custard, chocolate glaze, and fluffy homemade donuts will have you coming back for more.