If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly balances sweetness, richness, and comfort, Golden Custard Donuts are the way to go. These donuts feature a soft and fluffy interior, fried to golden perfection, and filled with creamy, luscious custard. Coated with a sweet, glossy glaze, each bite offers the ideal combination of crispy exterior and velvety filling. These homemade donuts are surprisingly simple to make and will easily become a favorite treat for breakfast, dessert, or any occasion. Whether enjoyed warm out of the fryer or slightly chilled, they are sure to delight every taste bud.
Not only do these Golden Custard Donuts taste incredible, but they’re also customizable. You can make the custard as rich or light as you prefer, or even experiment with different fillings like chocolate or fruit preserves. The best part is that they are surprisingly quick to make, with a total time of just 30 minutes from start to finish. Ideal for any occasion, these donuts will impress family and friends alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Quick and Easy
These Golden Custard Donuts come together quickly, with just a 15-minute prep time and another 15 minutes for frying. They’re perfect when you need a fresh homemade treat in a hurry.
2. Crispy, Light, and Fluffy
The donuts fry up golden and crisp on the outside while maintaining a light, airy interior, making them the perfect bite every time.
3. Delicious Custard Filling
The smooth, creamy custard filling is the highlight of these donuts. It adds richness and flavor that perfectly complements the light donut.
4. Customizable Filling
While the recipe calls for a classic custard filling, you can swap it out with other fillings, such as chocolate, fruit preserves, or whipped cream for a fun twist.
5. Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a weekend breakfast, a dessert for a family gathering, or a treat for a special event, these donuts are versatile and will impress everyone.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract (for glaze)
- Custard filling
Variations
- Chocolate Custard Filling: You can make the custard filling with cocoa powder or melted chocolate for a chocolate version.
- Fruit Jam Filling: If you prefer a fruity touch, fill the donuts with strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry jam.
- Sugar Coating: Instead of glazing the donuts, toss them in cinnamon sugar for a spiced, sweet exterior.
- Dipped Chocolate Glaze: For a rich, indulgent finish, dip your donuts in a chocolate glaze instead of a vanilla one.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Donut Batter
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Add in the milk, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 350°F (180°C). You want the oil to be hot enough to fry the donuts without absorbing too much oil.
Step 3: Fry the Donuts
Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the donut batter into the hot oil. Fry the donuts for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and drain them on a paper towel-lined rack to absorb excess oil.
Step 4: Prepare the Glaze
In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. This will be the glaze to coat your donuts.
Step 5: Glaze the Donuts
Dip each donut into the glaze, ensuring an even coating on each one. Allow the donuts to sit on a cooling rack so the glaze can set.
Step 6: Fill the Donuts
Once the glaze has set, fill a piping bag with the custard filling. Gently poke a hole in the side of each donut and pipe the custard filling into the center of each one.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Your Golden Custard Donuts are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Oil temperature: Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature (350°F) for frying. Too hot, and the donuts will burn; too cool, and they’ll absorb too much oil.
- Donut size: Be careful not to drop too much batter into the oil at once. Spoon small amounts to form small, round donuts for even cooking.
- Custard filling: If you’re using store-bought custard filling, ensure it’s at room temperature before piping it into the donuts.
- Glaze consistency: Adjust the milk in the glaze to make it thinner or thicker, depending on how much you want to coat the donuts.
- Storage: Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 1-2 days.
How to Serve
Golden Custard Donuts are best served warm, right after they’ve been glazed and filled. Pair them with a cup of coffee, tea, or milk for the perfect indulgence. They make a great treat for brunch or dessert, and they’re perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. The custard may soften the donut slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
Freezing
To freeze the donuts, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw at room temperature before glazing and filling.
Reheating
If the donuts have cooled, reheat them in a warm oven for a few minutes to refresh the crispy texture before glazing and filling.
FAQs
1. Can I make the custard filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the custard filling in advance. Just refrigerate it in an airtight container until you’re ready to pipe it into the donuts.
2. Can I use a donut pan instead of frying the donuts?
Yes, if you prefer baking over frying, you can use a donut pan and bake them at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
3. Can I use flavored extracts in the glaze?
Absolutely! You can use almond, lemon, or hazelnut extracts to change up the glaze flavor.
4. How do I know when the oil is the right temperature for frying?
You can use a thermometer to check the oil’s temperature. If you don’t have one, drop a small bit of batter into the oil—if it sizzles and rises to the surface quickly, the oil is ready.
5. Can I make these donuts without the glaze?
Yes, you can skip the glaze and coat the donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for a different twist.
6. Can I make the donuts smaller or larger?
Yes, you can adjust the size of the donuts based on your preference, but be sure to adjust the frying time accordingly.
7. What can I use if I don’t have a piping bag for the custard filling?
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner cut off or a spoon to carefully fill the donuts.
8. Can I use a different filling besides custard?
Yes, you can use chocolate ganache, fruit preserves, or whipped cream instead of custard for a different flavor.
9. How do I prevent the donuts from absorbing too much oil?
Be sure to keep the oil at the correct temperature, and avoid overcrowding the frying pot, as this can lower the temperature and cause the donuts to absorb more oil.
10. Can I make a glaze with chocolate instead of vanilla?
Yes, you can make a chocolate glaze by melting chocolate with a little bit of milk and powdered sugar.
Conclusion
Golden Custard Donuts are an irresistible treat that’s sure to impress anyone who tries them. From their light and fluffy texture to the rich, creamy custard filling, these donuts are the perfect combination of comfort and indulgence. Easy to make, customizable, and absolutely delicious, they are a must-try for any dessert lover! Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the fryer or after a few hours, these donuts are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings.
PrintGolden Custard Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Golden Custard Donuts are a delightful treat with a crispy golden exterior and a sweet, creamy custard filling. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack, these donuts are dipped in a simple glaze and filled with luscious custard, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Custard filling (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (180°C).
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove donuts from oil and let drain on a paper towel-lined rack.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
- Dip each donut into the glaze, then let it set on a cooling rack.
- Fill a piping bag with custard filling and pipe into the center of each donut.
- Enjoy your golden custard donuts!
Notes
- You can use store-bought custard filling, or make your own by combining milk, sugar, eggs, and cornstarch on the stovetop.
- Make sure the oil temperature is steady at 350°F (180°C) to avoid greasy donuts.
- If you prefer a different filling, you can swap the custard with chocolate or jam.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes