Heavenly Chocolate Custard Donuts Recipe: Soft, Sweet Bliss
Sweet, pillowy donuts filled with silky chocolate custard burst with decadent flavor that melts in your mouth.
These delightful treats promise a luxurious dessert experience that feels like pure indulgence.
The creamy chocolate custard filling adds an irresistible richness to each soft, golden donut.
Crafted with simple ingredients, this recipe brings bakery-style magic straight to your kitchen.
Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender dough and smooth chocolate goodness.
The combination of light pastry and velvety custard creates an unforgettable dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prepare to become the star baker in your circle with these irresistible chocolate custard donuts.
Why Sweet Filled Breakfast Treats Are a Morning Delight
Ingredients for a Sweet Filled Breakfast Treat
Base Ingredients:Enriching Ingredients:Filling and Coating Ingredients:Finishing Ingredients:Preparing a Sweet Filled Breakfast Treat: How-To
Step 1: Activate Yeast
Combine warm milk, egg, and yeast in a mixing bowl.
Gently stir until yeast completely dissolves and becomes frothy.
Step 2: Create Dough Base
Add sugar, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture.
Mix thoroughly until a soft, sticky dough forms.
Step 3: Incorporate Butter
Knead softened butter into the dough.
Continue working the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Step 4: Allow First Rise
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel.
Let it rise in a warm spot for 2-3 hours until it doubles in size.
Step 5: Prepare Chocolate Filling
In a separate bowl, whisk together:Step 6: Heat Milk Mixture
Warm milk with vanilla extract in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle boil.
Step 7: Create Custard Base
Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
Step 8: Finish Custard
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens.
Add chocolate and butter, mixing until smooth.
Step 9: Chill Filling
Transfer custard to a container and refrigerate for 2-4 hours until completely cooled.
Step 10: Shape Donuts
Divide dough into 8 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
Step 11: Second Proofing
Let dough balls rest for 30-40 minutes, allowing them to slightly expand.
Step 12: Fry Donuts
Heat oil to 350°F.
Carefully fry donuts until they turn golden brown on all sides.
Step 13: Finish Donuts
Remove donuts from oil, let them cool slightly, then roll in granulated sugar.
Step 14: Fill with Chocolate
Use a piping bag to inject each donut with chilled chocolate custard.
Breakfast Treat Tips for Sweet Results
Variations to Try with Filled Breakfast Treats
Ways to Serve Sweet Filled Breakfast Treats
Storage for Breakfast Treats
FAQs
The secret is letting the dough rise properly for 2-3 hours and ensuring the yeast is fully dissolved in warm milk. This helps create a light, fluffy texture.
The custard is done when it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. It should have a smooth, pudding-like consistency without any lumps.
Yes, you can prepare the chocolate custard 2-4 hours in advance and refrigerate it. This actually helps the custard set and develop a richer flavor.
PrintChocolate Custard Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Scrumptious chocolate custard donuts invite sweet-toothed adventurers into a world of delectable indulgence. Rich, pillowy pastries filled with silky chocolate custard promise a heavenly escape that satisfies deep dessert cravings in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Main Dough Ingredients:
- 2.25 cups bread flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 0.5 cup + 2 tablespoons (150 milliliters) warm milk
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons (63 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 envelope (7 grams) instant yeast
Filling and Custard Ingredients:
- 2.25 cups (540 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 0.5 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2.5 tablespoons (20 grams) cornstarch
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Activate yeast by combining warm milk, egg, and yeast, ensuring complete dissolution.
- Create dough base by incorporating sugar, flour, and salt into the liquid mixture.
- Integrate softened butter into the dough, kneading until achieving a smooth, elastic texture.
- Allow dough to proof in a warm environment for 2-3 hours, expanding to approximately double its original volume.
- Prepare custard foundation by whisking together sugar, eggs, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Heat milk and vanilla to a rolling boil, creating a rich aromatic liquid.
- Temper egg mixture by gradually introducing hot milk, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
- Simmer custard over medium heat until thickened, then incorporate chocolate and butter for enhanced richness.
- Refrigerate custard for 2-4 hours to achieve optimal setting and flavor development.
- Divide proofed dough into 8 uniform spherical portions.
- Permit dough balls to rest and relax for 30-40 minutes, enhancing texture and elasticity.
- Deep fry doughnuts in 350°F oil, rotating to ensure even golden-brown coloration.
- Allow freshly fried doughnuts to cool slightly, then coat generously with granulated sugar.
- Insert chocolate custard into doughnuts using a piping technique, ensuring even distribution.
Notes
- Activate yeast properly by using warm milk between 100-110°F to ensure perfect dough rising and soft texture.
- Handle dough gently during kneading to prevent gluten development, keeping pastry tender and light.
- Prevent custard from curdling by tempering eggs slowly with hot milk, whisking constantly to maintain smooth consistency.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting wheat flour with almond or coconut flour and using xanthan gum for binding.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Nathaniel Brooks
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling
Education
Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques.
Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.