Who can resist the rich combination of Boston Cream Donuts?
These fluffy, golden donuts filled with smooth custard and topped with decadent chocolate glaze are a showstopper.
They’re perfect for breakfast, a sweet afternoon treat, or any occasion that calls for indulgence.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making your own Boston Cream Donuts, here’s how you can create this delicious classic from scratch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Boston Cream Donuts are everything you love about the classic dessert, but made fresh and with love!
The soft, airy donuts are perfectly complemented by a rich, homemade custard filling and topped with a glossy, smooth chocolate glaze.
Each bite is a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and chocolatey goodness.
Best of all? You can make them at home, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Ingredient Highlights
Yeast-Raised Donuts: These donuts are light and fluffy thanks to the active dry yeast, giving them the perfect texture and bite.
Homemade Custard Filling: Made with egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla, this rich filling provides the perfect creamy contrast to the fried donut.
Chocolate Glaze: Semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream come together to make the most luxurious glaze, adding that signature touch to the donuts.
Buttery Donuts: The melted butter in the donut dough ensures they are soft and deliciously rich.
Pro Tips Before You Start
Dough Consistency: The donut dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
If it’s too dry, add a little more milk, but if it’s too sticky, add more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil is heated to 350°F (175°C) to ensure your donuts fry evenly and don’t soak up too much oil.
Filling Tip: To fill the donuts, make a small hole on the side with a skewer or knife, and use a piping bag to inject the custard filling evenly inside.
How to Make Boston Cream Donuts
Make the Donuts:
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Add the eggs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until combined.
Step 3: Gradually add flour, mixing until the dough comes together. It should be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
Step 6: Roll out the dough to ½-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out circles using a donut cutter or a large round cookie cutter.
Step 7: Cover the cut donuts with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 8: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
Step 9: Fry the donuts in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
Make the Custard Filling:
Step 1: In a saucepan, whisk together whole milk, granulated sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch.
Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Step 4: Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and let it chill in the refrigerator.
Make the Chocolate Glaze:
Step 1: Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until it begins to simmer.
Step 2: Remove from heat and add the chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Let it sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
Step 3: Stir in corn syrup and vanilla extract until the glaze is glossy and smooth.
Assemble the Donuts:
Step 1: Once the donuts have cooled, make a small hole on the side of each donut using a skewer or knife.
Step 2: Using a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle, pipe the chilled custard filling into each donut.
Step 3: Dip the top of each filled donut into the chocolate glaze, letting any excess drip off.
Step 4: Let the glaze set before serving.
Serving Ideas
These Boston Cream Donuts are perfect as a dessert after a hearty meal or served alongside your favorite coffee or hot chocolate for an indulgent treat.
For a more festive presentation, serve them on a platter with a drizzle of extra chocolate glaze and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Variations/Substitutions
Chocolate Filling: For a twist, you can fill the donuts with chocolate ganache instead of custard.
Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg replacers for a vegan-friendly version.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it works well for yeast-based dough.
Storage
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
The donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also freeze the donuts (without the glaze) for up to 1 month.
Thaw and glaze when ready to serve.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling it out and frying.
Can I bake the donuts instead of frying?
While frying gives the donuts their signature texture, you can try baking them at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes for a lighter version.
Can I use a different filling?
You can fill these donuts with a variety of fillings like pastry cream, chocolate mousse, or even fruit jam for a fun twist!
How do I keep the glaze from dripping off?
Allow the filled donuts to cool before glazing. This helps the glaze to set properly and prevents it from sliding off.
Final Thoughts
These Boston Cream Donuts are the ultimate indulgence for donut lovers.
Soft, pillowy donuts, rich custard filling, and a glossy chocolate glaze come together for a dessert experience that’s both familiar and extraordinary.
Whether for a special occasion or a sweet snack, these donuts are sure to be a hit!
Boston Cream Donuts
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1¼ cups warm whole milk
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 2 large eggs
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Custard Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk, let foam. Add eggs, butter, sugar, and salt. Gradually mix in flour. Knead until smooth. Let rise 1 hour.
- Roll dough, cut into donuts, and let rise for 30 minutes. Fry in oil at 350°F for 1 minute per side. Let cool.
- Make custard: Whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Cook until thick. Stir in vanilla and chill.
- Make glaze: Heat cream, melt chocolate, stir in corn syrup and vanilla.
- Fill donuts with custard. Dip in chocolate glaze and let set.
Notes
- Frying Tip: Maintain oil temperature between 350–360°F for even frying.
- Custard Shortcut: You can make the custard the day before and refrigerate until ready to fill.
- Chocolate Options: Use bittersweet or milk chocolate based on your sweetness preference.
- Storage: Store filled and glazed donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
