Donuts stuffed with creamy, tangy raspberry cheesecake? Yes, they’re as incredible as they sound. Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut, only to be met with a luscious swirl of raspberry cheesecake filling that melts in your mouth. These raspberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are the perfect blend of decadence and satisfaction. Whether you’re entertaining guests, looking for a dessert project, or just craving a sweet indulgence, this recipe is a surefire hit.
Not only are they a feast for the taste buds, but they’re also a creative spin on classic donuts. And the best part? You don’t need to be a pastry chef to pull off this heavenly treat. By the end of this blog, you’ll have all the knowledge and tips to create these irresistible donuts from scratch.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before you roll up your sleeves, it’s important to have everything you need on hand. This recipe has two main components – the donut dough and the raspberry cheesecake filling. Here’s the full list:
the Donut Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (approximately 110°F)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
the Raspberry Cheesecake Filling
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup raspberry jam (preferably seedless)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream
Optional Decorating
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Fresh raspberries (for garnish)
- Raspberry glaze or chocolate drizzle (optional)
Now that your ingredients are ready, it’s time to head to the kitchen and start creating magic.
How to Make Raspberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donuts
Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure your donuts turn out perfect every time.
1: Prepare the Dough
- Activate the yeast – Start by dissolving the yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. This step ensures your donuts will rise beautifully.
- Mix the dough – In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and butter, then mix until the dough comes together. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook or knead by hand.
- Knead and proof – Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
2: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
While your dough is proofing, make the filling.
- Combine ingredients – Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, raspberry jam, vanilla extract, and heavy cream together until smooth. You want a creamy, pipeable consistency. Adjust with more cream if necessary.
- Chill – Transfer the filling into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3: Shape and Fry the Donuts
- Shape the dough – Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it to about ½-inch thick. Use a round cutter (3 inches wide) to cut out donut shapes.
- Second proof – Place the donut rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil – Heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Maintain this temperature using a thermometer for even frying.
- Fry – Fry the donuts for about 90 seconds per side until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
4: Fill the Donuts
- Once the donuts have cooled slightly, use a knife to create a small hole on one side.
- Insert the piping bag tip into the opening and gently squeeze to fill each donut with the raspberry cheesecake mixture.
5 (Optional): Decorate
Dust your stuffed donuts with powdered sugar, drizzle on some raspberry glaze, or add a few fresh raspberries for a finishing touch.
And voilà—your raspberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are ready to eat!
Baking Tips for Perfection
Making donuts from scratch can be a little intimidating, but these tips will help you ace the process.
- Proofing Patience
Don’t rush the proofing process! A well-risen dough leads to light, fluffy donuts. If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in the oven (turned off) with a bowl of steaming water.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Oil
Frying too many donuts at once can lower the oil temperature, resulting in greasy, unevenly cooked donuts. Fry in small batches for a golden finish.
- Cool Before Filling
Warm donuts might melt the cheesecake filling, so make sure to cool them briefly before piping in the filling.
- Use Quality Raspberry Jam
A high-quality, seedless raspberry jam will make a significant difference in flavor. Look for one with minimal added sugar for a more natural taste.
Customizing Your Donuts
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to personalize. While the raspberry cheesecake filling is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser, don’t hesitate to experiment with other flavor combinations. Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity:
- Swap the Raspberry Jam
Replace the raspberry jam with strawberry, blueberry, or blackberry jam for a different fruity twist. You can even mix multiple jams for a unique medley of flavors.
- Add a Citrus Kick
Grate a little lemon or orange zest into the cheesecake filling to give your donuts a bright, zesty pop of flavor.
- Alternative Toppings
Instead of powdered sugar or glaze, try dipping your donuts in melted chocolate or rolling them in cinnamon sugar for an extra indulgent experience.
- Savory Surprise
Feeling adventurous? Experiment with savory fillings like cream cheese with chives or smoked salmon for a unique fusion of flavors.
- Themed Decorations
Decorate your donuts for holidays or special occasions. Use colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or shape the donuts into festive forms like hearts or stars.
The possibilities are endless, and customizing your donuts allows you to turn this recipe into your own signature creation.
Storing and Reheating
If you find yourself with leftovers (though it’s hard to stop eating them!), it’s important to store the donuts properly to keep them fresh. Place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate them for up to a week, but note that refrigeration may slightly alter the texture of the dough.
To reheat the donuts, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes, or microwave them in short intervals until just warmed through. Avoid overheating, as this may dry them out or melt the filling.
Variations to Try
While raspberry cheesecake is a knock-out combination, there’s plenty of room for customization. Here are some fun ideas to experiment with:
- Chocolate Hazelnut Filling – Replace the raspberry jam with Nutella for a rich, chocolatey twist.
- Lemon Cheesecake Donuts – Use lemon curd instead of raspberry jam to create a vibrant, citrusy filling.
- Strawberry Bliss – Substitute raspberry with strawberry jam and add some diced fresh strawberries to the filling for extra texture.
- Cookies ’n Cream – Mix crushed Oreos into the cheesecake filling for a decadent cookies-and-cream variation.
- Savory Option – Feeling adventurous? Swap the sugar for herbs and add a cream cheese and smoked salmon filling for a savory donut experiment.
Time to Treat Yourself
Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to brighten up your week, these raspberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are worth every calorie. Soft, fluffy dough paired with tangy, creamy filling makes for a dessert that feels indulgent yet homemade.
Grab your ingredients, fire up the stovetop, and get ready to impress your friends and family (or just yourself!) with this decadent treat. And if you venture into some fun variations, we’d love to hear how it went in the comments!
Happy baking!
Conclusion
Raspberry cheesecake stuffed donuts are a delightful blend of comfort and indulgence, perfect for sweet cravings or special occasions. With their soft texture, rich filling, and vibrant flavor, they’re guaranteed to impress both friends and family. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh out of the fryer or sharing them as a thoughtful gift, these donuts are sure to spread joy and satisfy every sweet tooth. Now it’s time to grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and create this irresistible treat—happy baking!