Center Filled Donuts

 Here's a basic recipe for homemade filled donuts. This recipe will yield about 12 donuts.

Ingredients:

To make the dough:

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)

3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

Your choice of filling (e.g., fruit jam, custard, cream, Nutella)

For Frying and Coating:

Vegetable oil for frying

Granulated sugar, powdered sugar, or glaze for coating

Instructions:

Activate the Yeast:

In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.

Prepare the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt.

Add the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

Add the eggs and mix until well combined.

Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, while stirring. Continue adding flour until a soft dough forms.

Knead the Dough:

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.

First Rise:

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shape the Donuts:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness.

Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles. Then, gather the remaining dough, roll it out again, and continue cutting until you've used all the dough.

Place a small amount of your chosen filling (about 1-2 teaspoons) in the center of each dough circle.

Fold the dough in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape and seal the edges by pressing with your fingers.

Second Rise:

Place the filled donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a kitchen towel, and let them rise for about 30 minutes.

Fry the Donuts:

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot to 350-375°F (175-190°C).

Carefully place the filled donuts into the hot oil and fry for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to flip and remove them.

Coat the Donuts:

While the donuts are still warm, roll them in granulated sugar,  or powdered sugar, or glaze them with your favorite icing.

Serve:

Allow the filled donuts to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

You can get creative with the fillings and coatings to suit your preferences. Once you get the hang of making these homemade filled donuts, you can experiment with various flavors and fillings to create your own unique recipes.