Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donut Holes: A Bite-Sized Dessert Dream! 🍓🍩🍰
These Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donut Holes are a delightful combination of fluffy donut goodness and creamy, tangy strawberry cheesecake filling. Whether you choose to fry them for a classic donut experience or bake them for a slightly lighter treat, these little bites are perfect for parties, snacks, or a special dessert.
Here are two versions: one for deep-fried and one for baked donut holes, both featuring that irresistible strawberry cheesecake filling.
Deep-Fried Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donut Holes
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
4-5 fresh strawberries, finely diced
For the Donut Holes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 large egg
½ cup buttermilk
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
½ cup granulated sugar, for coating (optional)
Optional Garnish:
Powdered sugar
Chocolate syrup
Strawberry sauce
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Filling:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and there are no lumps.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Make the Donut Hole Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat the egg. Whisk in the buttermilk and melted butter until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The batter will be slightly thick and sticky.
3. Heat the Oil:
Pour at least 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) on a deep-fry thermometer.
4. Fry the Donut Holes:
Drop small spoonfuls (about 1-inch balls) of the donut batter carefully into the hot oil. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until the donut holes are golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the fried donut holes with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. Coat in Sugar (Optional):
If desired, while the donut holes are still warm, roll them in a bowl of granulated sugar to coat.
6. Stuff the Donut Holes:
Once the donut holes have cooled slightly, use a small piping bag fitted with a narrow tip or a small knife to create a hole in the side of each donut hole.
Fill each donut hole with a spoonful of the chilled strawberry cheesecake filling.
7. Garnish and Serve:
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with chocolate syrup or strawberry sauce, if desired.
Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
Baked Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donut Holes
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp powdered sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
2-3 fresh strawberries, finely diced
For the Baked Donut Holes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
½ tsp vanilla extract
For Coating (Optional):
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar mixed with ½ tsp cinnamon
Optional Garnish:
Powdered sugar
Strawberry glaze
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Filling:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a mini muffin tin (or a donut hole pan) generously with cooking spray.
3. Make the Baked Donut Hole Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Fill the Baking Pan:
Spoon the donut batter into the prepared mini muffin tin or donut hole pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
5. Bake the Donut Holes:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donut holes are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar (Optional):
While the donut holes are still warm, brush them with melted butter and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Stuff the Donut Holes:
Once the donut holes have cooled slightly, use a small piping bag fitted with a narrow tip or a small knife to create a hole in the top or side of each donut hole.
Fill each donut hole with a spoonful of the chilled strawberry cheesecake filling.
8. Garnish and Serve:
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple strawberry glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little strawberry juice or puree).
Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
These Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed Donut Holes are a delightful treat that combines the best of both worlds – the fun of a donut hole with the creamy, fruity indulgence of strawberry cheesecake. Enjoy making and sharing these little bites of happiness! 🍓🍩🍰😊