Donuts with Custard cream, Nutella

You’re going for a real indulgent treat — fluffy donuts filled with creamy custard and rich Nutella. These bakery-style donuts are soft, pillowy, and can be either fried (for authenticity) or baked (for convenience). Perfect for dessert, brunch, or just when you want to spoil yourself.

🍩✨ Donuts with Custard Cream & Nutella Filling

🧾 Ingredients

🍩 For the Donuts (Fried Yeast Doughnuts)

3½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
½ tsp salt
¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Oil for frying (e.g., vegetable or canola)

🍮 For the Vanilla Custard Cream

2 cups whole milk
½ cup sugar
4 egg yolks
3 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp butter
1½ tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For Nutella Filling

Nutella, as is (or warmed slightly to loosen for piping)

Optional:

Granulated sugar or powdered sugar for dusting

🔪 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

In a large bowl or mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.
Add flour, sugar, eggs, melted butter, salt, and vanilla.
Knead with dough hook or by hand for 8–10 minutes until soft and elastic.
Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.

2️⃣ Make the Custard Cream

In a saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
Heat milk until just steaming. Slowly pour into egg mixture while whisking (temper).
Return to pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap (touching surface) and chill.

3️⃣ Shape and Fry the Donuts

Punch down dough, roll out to about ½ inch thick.
Cut into 3–3.5″ circles. Place on floured tray. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry 2–3 at a time, about 1–2 min per side, until golden.
Drain on paper towels. Roll in sugar while still warm, if desired.

4️⃣ Fill the Donuts

Once cool, use a piping bag with a long tip to fill half the batch with custard, and the other half with Nutella.
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted Nutella on top.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve warm or room temp.
These pair perfectly with coffee or a glass of cold milk.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days (best day-of).

🔄 Variations

Use chocolate custard or coffee pastry cream for a twist.
Add hazelnuts or crushed Ferrero Rocher on top of the Nutella ones.
Bake instead of fry (350°F for 10–12 mins), but texture will be more like filled rolls.

Would you like a baked version, a gluten-free dough, or a way to make them ahead and freeze?