The Best Jelly Donuts
I’m absolutely thrilled to share this Jelly Donuts recipe with you. As a big fan of donuts, I can’t get enough of the simple pleasure they bring, especially when they’re homemade. Surprisingly easy to make, these donuts are soft, fluffy, and filled with the sweet surprise of your favorite jelly. They’re the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence, making them a wonderful treat for any day of the week. Trust me, once you see how straightforward and fun it is to create these delightful goodies at home, you’ll be as hooked on making them as I am!
Active Dry Yeast: This makes the dough rise, giving your donuts a fluffy texture. Instant yeast is a good substitute. If you’re using instant yeast, there’s no need to activate it. Sugar: Sweetens the dough and activates the yeast. You can swap it with honey or maple syrup. Milk: Enriches and tenderizes the dough. Almond milk or soy milk can act as dairy-free alternatives. All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to your donuts. It gives your donuts their structure. If required, choose a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute. Salt: This enhances the flavors in your dough. Feel free to omit it if you’re watching your sodium intake. Egg: It binds the ingredients and adds richness. For a vegan option, use a flax egg. Sour Cream: It adds moisture and richness to the donuts. Greek yogurt or a dairy-free sour cream can be used in its place. Unsalted Butter: It flavors and tenderizes the dough. Use margarine or plant-based butter as a non-dairy alternative. Vegetable Oil: You’ll use this for frying to give the donuts a crispy exterior. Canola or peanut oil are good substitutes. Jelly: It’s the sweet filling for your donuts. Feel free to choose any flavor you like or use jam or preserves instead. Powdered Sugar: Dusts over the donuts for a sweet finish. You can also make a simple glaze with milk and confectioner’s sugar.
These jelly donuts are surprisingly easy and so much fun to whip up. You’re going to love how simple yet delicious they are. Let’s get started: First things first, let’s wake up that yeast. Just mix your active dry yeast with a bit of sugar and lukewarm milk in a small bowl. Give it about 15 minutes, and you’ll see it start to froth – that’s when you know it’s ready to party in your dough! Next, grab a big bowl or the bowl of your mixer. Toss in your flour and salt, give them a quick stir, and then add in your bubbly yeast mixture. Now, crack in the egg, add your sour cream and melted butter, and mix it all up. You want everything to be nicely incorporated, so it forms a smooth dough. Pop the dough into a bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it hang out until it doubles in size. This is a good time to grab a coffee or catch up on some reading. Once your dough has risen, it’s time to shape those donuts. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut out rounds using a 3 inch cookie cutter or just a glass. Feel free to get the kids involved here – they’ll love it! Alright, now let’s get to frying. You’ll want to heat your oil to the ideal temperature of 350°F (175°C) – a cooking thermometer can be super handy here. Keep the heat at medium, and carefully place the donuts in the oil. Fry them until they turn a beautiful golden brown, which usually takes just a couple of minutes per side. Then, take them out and let them cool on a wire rack. After letting them cool, take a sharp knife and gently make a small cut on the side of each donut for the filling. Equip a piping bag with a small, round tip – about ¼ inch (6mm) works great. Fill this bag with your favorite jelly, be it cherry, strawberry, or any flavor that tickles your fancy. Carefully insert the tip into the cut you made in each donut, and pipe in the jelly. This method ensures a neat and even distribution of the jelly, making every bite a perfectly sweet and delightful experience! Last but not least, give those beauties a dusting of powdered sugar. It adds that perfect sweet finish.
Storage
To keep your homemade Jelly Donuts fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay good for up to 2 days. If you’re not planning to eat them right away, wait to fill and sugar them until just before serving, as the jelly and sugar can make the donuts soggy. You can also freeze these donuts. First, let them cool completely after frying. Then, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer bag. They’ll last in the freezer for about 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature, warm them up a bit in the oven, and then add the filling and sugar.
Discover More Delicious Donuts
Apple Cider Donuts Glazed Donuts Paczki (Polish Donuts) Malasadas Beignets Krispy Kreme Donuts (Copycat)
