Brioche Donut with Vanilla Custard Filling – A Heavenly Sweet Treat

Looking for a delightful dessert that will blow your taste buds away? These Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Custard Filling are everything you’ve been craving and more! Soft, pillowy brioche donuts filled with a rich, velvety vanilla custard will make your dessert dreams come true. Whether it’s for breakfast, a sweet afternoon snack, or a special treat for a celebration, these donuts are guaranteed to impress!

Let’s dive into this decadent recipe and explore how to create the perfect brioche donut with a luscious vanilla custard filling! 😍🍮

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🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Soft & Pillowy Texture – The brioche donut dough is light and fluffy, with the perfect amount of richness.
✅ Vanilla Custard Filling – A luscious, creamy filling that adds a delightful sweetness to every bite.
✅ Perfect for Any Occasion – Ideal for brunch, dessert, or a sweet treat to share with friends and family.
✅ Homemade & Heavenly – There’s something special about making your own donuts from scratch!

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🛒 Key Ingredients & Substitutions

To create these irresistible Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Custard Filling, you’ll need a few essential ingredients. Here’s what to gather:

🍩 For the Brioche Donuts:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure to the dough.
• 1/4 cup sugar – For sweetness in the dough.
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast – To help the dough rise beautifully.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
• 1/2 cup whole milk – Adds richness to the dough.
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter – The key to creating a soft, fluffy texture.
• 4 large eggs – Helps bind the dough together and gives it a soft crumb.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A hint of vanilla enhances the flavor of the brioche.

🍮 For the Vanilla Custard Filling:

• 2 cups whole milk – The base of the creamy custard.
• 3/4 cup sugar – Sweetens the custard to perfection.
• 4 large egg yolks – Gives the custard a rich and creamy texture.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch – Thickens the custard to the ideal consistency.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For that classic vanilla flavor.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness and smoothness to the custard.

🛢️ For Frying & Topping:

• Vegetable oil – For frying the donuts until golden brown.
• Powdered sugar – For dusting the donuts after frying, giving them a perfect finish.

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💡 Substitutions & Variations

✔️ Dairy-Free Option – Swap the milk and butter for dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and vegan butter.
✔️ Flavored Custard – Try infusing the custard with a hint of lemon zest or cinnamon for a unique twist.
✔️ Glazed Donuts – Skip the powdered sugar and dip the donuts in a simple sugar glaze for a glossy finish.
✔️ Chocolate Custard – For chocolate lovers, mix in melted chocolate into the custard for a rich chocolate filling.

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the process of making Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Custard Filling into simple steps. Follow along and enjoy making these sweet treats from scratch! 🍩

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🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Brioche Dough

1️⃣ Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (around 110°F), sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

2️⃣ Make the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, add the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix using a dough hook attachment until combined.

3️⃣ Add Butter: Gradually add the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to knead the dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

4️⃣ Let it Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, you can let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight for even better flavor.

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🔥 Step 2: Make the Vanilla Custard Filling

1️⃣ Heat the Milk: In a medium saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling.

2️⃣ Mix Egg Yolks & Sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and creamy.

3️⃣ Combine the Two: Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to avoid curdling. Once combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

4️⃣ Cook the Custard: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

5️⃣ Finish the Custard: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter. Continue stirring until the butter melts and the custard is silky smooth.

6️⃣ Cool Down: Transfer the custard into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming), and let it cool completely before using.

💡 Pro Tip: For a smoother custard, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps before cooling.

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🔥 Step 3: Shape the Donuts

1️⃣ Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface.

2️⃣ Roll & Cut: Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles of dough. Use a smaller cutter to punch a hole in the center to make donut shapes.

3️⃣ Let the Donuts Rise: Place the cut donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.

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🔥 Step 4: Fry the Donuts

1️⃣ Heat the Oil: In a large pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). The oil should be deep enough to fully submerge the donuts.

2️⃣ Fry the Donuts: Carefully place a few donuts in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the donuts for 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy.

3️⃣ Drain & Cool: Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

💡 Pro Tip: For a crispier finish, fry one donut at a time and avoid overcrowding the oil.

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🔥 Step 5: Fill the Donuts with Vanilla Custard

1️⃣ Prepare the Filling: Once the donuts have cooled, use a pastry bag fitted with a filling tip or a syringe to inject the vanilla custard into the center of each donut.

2️⃣ Seal & Coat: Once filled, lightly dust the donuts with powdered sugar to give them a classic donut look.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

These Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Custard Filling are perfect on their own, but here are a few fun ways to serve them:

🍩 As a Dessert: Serve them with a cup of coffee or tea for a sweet end to your meal.

🎉 For Special Occasions: These donuts are great for birthdays, brunches, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with something special.

🍦 With Ice Cream: Warm the donuts slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an indulgent treat!

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

📦 Storing Leftovers:

• Room Temperature: Keep the filled donuts in an airtight container for up to 1 day. After that, the filling might get too soft.
• Freezing: To freeze, place the unfilled donuts in a freezer bag and store them for up to 2 months. Fill with custard once thawed.

🔥 Reheating Instructions:

• Microwave: Heat the donuts for 15-20 seconds in the microwave to warm them up. Avoid reheating for too long, or the custard may get too runny.

💡 Pro Tip: Donuts are best enjoyed the same day they are made for optimal texture and flavor.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1️⃣ Can I make these donuts ahead of time? Yes! You can make the dough and custard the night before and store them in the fridge. Just fry and fill the donuts the next day.

2️⃣ Can I use a different filling? Absolutely! You can swap the vanilla custard for chocolate custard, pastry cream, or even fruit jam.

3️⃣ How do I prevent the custard from leaking out? Make sure to inject the custard gently and not overfill. Also, seal the holes properly when filling to keep everything intact.

4️⃣ Can I bake the donuts instead of frying them? While frying gives the donuts that crispy, golden texture, you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes if you prefer a lighter option.

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🍩 Conclusion – A Must-Try Treat!

These Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Custard Filling are a perfect blend of light, fluffy dough and creamy, decadent filling. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. ✨

Try this recipe and let me know how it turns out! 😋🍩 You’ll be savoring every bite!