Boston Cream Doughnuts: The Ultimate Cream Donut Recipe

Boston Cream Doughnuts are a delightful variation of the classic doughnut. These doughnuts are soft, sweet, and perfectly filled with a delicious, creamy filling that will leave you craving more. If you’re a fan of Boston Cream Pie, you’ll love this doughnut recipe. Not only are these doughnuts easy to make, but they offer a decadent combination of soft dough, a rich pastry cream filling, and a glossy chocolate glaze. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to create this irresistible treat, making it a must-try for anyone looking to make their own cream-filled donuts at home.

What is a Boston Cream Doughnut?

A Boston Cream Doughnut is inspired by the popular Boston Cream Pie, which is known for its layers of sponge cake, creamy filling, and chocolate glaze. Instead of sponge cake, this version uses a soft, fluffy doughnut base. The doughnut is filled with a creamy custard-like pastry cream filling and topped with a shiny layer of chocolate glaze. It’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a favorite among doughnut lovers.

These cream-filled donuts combine everything we love about Boston Cream Pie—creamy, chocolatey, and sweet—into a handheld doughnut form. They’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack, and they’re surprisingly easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Cream Donut Recipe

Creamy Filling: The star of the show is the silky smooth pastry cream that fills the doughnut. This homemade cream is rich and indulgent without being overly sweet, creating the perfect balance.
Easy Doughnut Recipe: You don’t need to be a professional baker to make these Boston Cream Doughnuts. The dough is soft and simple to make. With a little patience, you’ll have doughnuts that rival those from your favorite bakery.
Customizable Glaze: The chocolate glaze adds a glossy finish to these cream-filled donuts, but you can adjust it to your liking. Whether you prefer dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a sweeter glaze, it’s easy to personalize this treat.
Great for Any Occasion: These donuts are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a weekend breakfast, a dessert to impress guests, or a fun treat to make with the kids. Their rich filling and chocolate glaze make them a crowd favorite.

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process to make these delicious Boston Cream Doughnuts.

Ingredients for Boston Cream Doughnuts

For the Doughnut Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 de taza de azúcar granulada
1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
2 huevos grandes
1/4 taza de mantequilla sin sal, derretida
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Aceite vegetal para freír

For the Pastry Cream Filling:

2 cups whole milk
1/2 taza de azúcar granulada
1 cucharada de fécula de maíz
1/4 de cucharadita de sal
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Glaze:

1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional, for a glossy finish)

How to Make Boston Cream Doughnuts

Step 1: Make the Doughnut Dough

To make the dough for your Boston Cream Doughnuts, begin by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until it forms a sticky dough. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add a little more flour until it reaches a soft, pliable consistency.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5–7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Pastry Cream Filling

While the dough is rising, you can prepare the pastry cream filling. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add the egg yolks and whisk until smooth.

Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk. Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Once it thickens, remove it from the heat.

Whisk in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it cool to room temperature. For faster cooling, you can place the bowl in the fridge, but make sure to let it come back to room temperature before filling the doughnuts.

Step 3: Shape and Fry the Doughnuts

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out doughnut shapes. Place the doughnuts and doughnut holes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Let the doughnuts rise for another 30 minutes, covered with a towel, until they are slightly puffed up. While the doughnuts are rising, heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the doughnuts in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry them for 1–2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 4: Fill the Doughnuts with Pastry Cream

Once the doughnuts have cooled slightly, it’s time to fill them with the delicious pastry cream. Use a small, sharp knife to carefully make a small hole in the side of each doughnut. You can also use a piping bag fitted with a long, narrow tip to inject the filling directly into the doughnut. Fill each doughnut with about 1–2 tablespoons of the cooled pastry cream, making sure not to overfill.

Step 5: Make the Chocolate Glaze

To make the chocolate glaze, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and let it sit for 1–2 minutes to melt. Stir the mixture until it’s smooth and glossy. Add the butter and corn syrup (if using), and stir until fully incorporated.

Step 6: Glaze the Doughnuts

Once the chocolate glaze is ready, dip the top of each cream-filled doughnut into the glaze, making sure it’s fully coated. Place the glazed doughnuts on a wire rack to set. Allow the chocolate glaze to harden slightly before serving.

Tips for Perfect Boston Cream Doughnuts

Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer: When frying your doughnuts, be sure not to overcrowd the pot. This can lower the oil temperature, resulting in greasy doughnuts. Fry in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
Chill the Pastry Cream: Let the pastry cream cool completely before filling the doughnuts. If the cream is too warm, it could make the doughnuts soggy.
Use a Piping Bag for Neat Filling: A piping bag makes it easy to inject the filling into the doughnuts without making a mess. You can even use a small squeeze bottle if you don’t have a piping bag.
Customize the Glaze: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate for the glaze. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate can be used, depending on your preference.
Fry at the Right Temperature: Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil while frying. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will cook too quickly on the outside and remain raw inside. If the oil is too cool, the doughnuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy.

Variations of Boston Cream Doughnuts

Mini Boston Cream Doughnuts: For a bite-sized version of this classic treat, you can make mini doughnuts. Simply use a smaller cutter to shape the dough, and fry them in batches. These mini doughnuts are perfect for parties or as a fun snack.
Gluten-Free Boston Cream Doughnuts: If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the label of your flour blend for any necessary adjustments.
Boston Cream Crullers: Instead of traditional round doughnuts, you can make crullers by piping the dough into twists and frying them. The pastry cream filling and chocolate glaze would still pair beautifully with this variation.
Vegan Boston Cream Doughnuts: To make a vegan version, use a plant-based milk (such as almond or soy milk) and replace the eggs and butter in the dough and pastry cream with plant-based alternatives. Vegan chocolate can also be used for the glaze.

Conclusión

Boston Cream Doughnuts are the perfect fusion of classic doughnut goodness and the creamy, chocolatey indulgence of Boston Cream Pie. This cream donut recipe is easy to follow, with each step designed to ensure you get the best results—soft, fluffy doughnuts, a silky smooth cream-filled center, and a rich chocolate glaze. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, these cream-filled donuts will impress your family and friends, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Happy baking, and enjoy your homemade Boston Cream Doughnuts!