Heavenly Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe: Fluffy Sweet Bliss

Delectable donuts with Bavarian cream filling have long been a beloved treat that sends taste buds dancing with pure delight.

Soft, pillowy dough cradles a luscious custard center that melts in your mouth.

German bakeries perfected this decadent pastry decades ago, making it a staple of sweet indulgence.

The silky smooth cream bursts with rich vanilla flavor, creating an irresistible contrast against the tender donut exterior.

Light, airy, and impossibly delicious, these donuts promise a bakery-worthy experience right from your kitchen.

Each bite delivers a luxurious blend of textures that will transport you to a charming European café.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to master a classic dessert that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 13

All You Need for Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Bread Flour: Provides sturdy structure with high protein content for elastic, chewy texture.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical raising agent that creates fluffy, light donut texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to dough.
• Eggs: Contribute richness and help bind ingredients together.
• Shortening: Ensures tender, soft crumb with delicate mouthfeel.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic notes.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Baking Powder: Provides extra lift and lightness.
• Baking Soda: Helps control acidity and supports rising process.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky smooth filling base.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream.
• Pastry Cream: Delivers rich, custard-like core with classic creamy essence.

• Vegetable Oil: Perfect medium for achieving golden, crispy exterior.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweet, crunchy finish to freshly fried donuts.

• Milk: Activates yeast and adds tender moisture to dough.

Donut-Making Tools for Bavarian Cream Goodness

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for kneading dough and whipping cream smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining ingredients and proofing dough.
• Digital Thermometer: Crucial for checking milk and oil temperatures accurately.
• Piping Bag with Round Tip: Needed for filling donuts with creamy deliciousness.
• Deep Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Ideal for safely frying donuts to golden perfection.
• Rolling Pin: Helps shape and roll out smooth, even dough.
• Baking Sheet: Great for proofing and resting dough during rising stages.
• Slotted Spoon or Spider Skimmer: Helps remove donuts safely from hot oil.
• Cooling Rack: Allows donuts to cool evenly and drain excess oil.

Making Bavarian Cream Donuts at Home

• Pastry Cream Preparation

Start by crafting a silky smooth pastry cream that will be the heart of these delectable treats. Allow the cream to chill and develop its rich, luxurious texture in the refrigerator.

• Dough Magic

Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm milk, creating a bubbling foundation for your soft, pillowy donuts. Blend the yeast mixture with other ingredients to form a pillowy dough that will rise beautifully.

• Dough Rising

Let the dough relax and expand in a cozy, warm environment, watching it transform and grow to double its original size. Shape the dough with care and patience.

• Frying Perfection

Heat oil to the ideal temperature and carefully lower the donuts into the golden bath. Fry them until they reach a gorgeous, crisp golden-brown color that promises delicious crunch.

• Sugar Coating

While still warm, roll the freshly fried donuts in a sweet sugar blanket, creating a sparkling exterior that adds an extra layer of indulgence.

• Creamy Filling

Whip up a dreamy cream mixture, gently folding the chilled pastry cream into fluffy whipped cream. This heavenly filling will make these donuts absolutely irresistible.

• Final Touch

Using a piping bag, generously fill each donut with the luscious cream, creating a surprise center that will delight anyone who takes a bite.

Variations for Bavarian Cream-Filled Donuts

• Pro Tips & Tasty Twists
• Ensure your milk temperature is precise for perfect yeast bloom, using a digital thermometer for accuracy.
• Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, avoiding overworking which can make donuts tough and dense.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature and use a deep-fry thermometer to prevent greasy or undercooked donuts.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond, coconut, or coffee to create unique cream variations.
• Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with chocolate, or sprinkle with crushed nuts for added texture and visual appeal.

How to Serve Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Serve with Coffee Companionship: Pair these heavenly Bavarian cream donuts with a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino to enhance the rich, creamy flavor and create a delightful morning or afternoon treat.
• Garnish with Fruity Flair: Sprinkle fresh berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries around the plate to add a pop of color and a tangy contrast to the sweet, creamy donut filling.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the donuts alongside other pastries like mini chocolate eclairs or vanilla custard tarts for an impressive homemade dessert spread that will wow your guests at brunch or special gatherings.
• Enjoy Chilled or Warm: Savor these donuts at room temperature for the best texture, or slightly warm them for 10-15 seconds to make the cream filling extra luscious and the donut exterior soft and inviting.

Storage Tips for Your Bavarian Cream Donuts

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store filled Bavarian cream donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, consuming within 1-2 days to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap unfilled donuts individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to preserve quality for up to 2 weeks, thawing at room temperature before filling.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Place a paper towel in the storage container to absorb excess moisture, keeping donuts crisp and preventing unwanted sogginess.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Remove refrigerated donuts 15-20 minutes before serving to allow them to reach room temperature, ensuring the cream filling is smooth and the pastry remains tender.

Velvety Bavarian Cream Donuts Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Bavarian cream donuts bring indulgent German pastry magic to your kitchen. Pillowy pastries filled with silky custard and dusted with powdered sugar promise sweet satisfaction that will delight you.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 cups canola oil
• 3 ¼ cups (410 g) bread flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 3 tbsps active dry yeast
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ cup (57 g) shortening
• 2 ½ tsps kosher salt
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 3 cups (600 g) granulated sugar for rolling
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps powdered sugar
• 1 batch pastry cream (prepared ahead)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Warm milk to 105-110°F, sprinkle yeast and sugar, allowing mixture to become frothy for 5-7 minutes.
2. Dough Preparation: Blend activated yeast with remaining sugar, shortening, eggs, and vanilla extract into a uniform mixture, then gradually incorporate flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough develops.
3. Proofing Process: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm environment (80-85°F) until volume doubles, approximately 60-90 minutes, then reshape into uniform rounds for a second proofing.
4. Frying Technique: Heat oil to precisely 350°F in a deep pot, carefully frying donuts until achieving a golden-brown exterior, then transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels and roll in granulated sugar while warm.
5. Cream Filling: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, gently fold in chilled pastry cream to create a luxurious filling.
6. Final Assembly: Once donuts cool completely, use a piping bag with a round tip to inject cream mixture evenly from the side, ensuring a delectable, well-distributed filling.

Notes

• Precise Temperature Control: Monitor milk and oil temperatures carefully, as they critically impact yeast activation and donut frying quality.
• Proofing Perfection: Choose a draft-free, consistently warm environment for dough rising to ensure optimal texture and volume.
• Gentle Handling Matters: Knead dough delicately and avoid over-mixing to maintain a tender, light donut structure.
• Filling Technique: Pipe cream slowly and steadily, rotating the donut to distribute filling evenly without tearing the delicate pastry.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 43 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 42 mg