Donuts Filled with Italian Diplomatic Cream

These delicious homemade donuts are filled with a rich and creamy Italian Diplomatic Cream, offering a perfect balance of softness, sweetness, and flavor. The dough is fluffy and golden brown, while the cream filling adds an indulgent touch that makes these donuts irresistible. Whether for a special occasion or an everyday treat, these donuts are sure to please!

Ingredients for the Donuts:

For the Donut Dough:

• 1 medium-sized egg
• 50g butter, melted
• 200g milk
• 80g sugar
• 500g flour
• 8g dry baker’s yeast (or 12g fresh yeast)
• 1 pinch of salt

For the Italian Diplomatic Cream:

• 300g pastry cream
• 200g liquid cream
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar

For the Coating:

• Sugar (for dusting)

Instructions:

Making the Donut Dough:

With a Stand Mixer:

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, pour the milk and add the baker’s yeast with a teaspoon of sugar. Mix and let stand for 10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
2. Combine ingredients: In the bowl of your stand mixer, add the flour, beaten egg, melted butter, sugar, and the milk-yeast mixture.
3. Knead the dough: Mix the ingredients on medium speed for about 20 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.

By Hand:

1. In a large bowl, combine the butter, egg, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
2. Gradually add the milk and yeast mixture, then add the flour.
3. Mix the ingredients until combined, then transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm place (like a turned-off oven with the light on) for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Shaping and Frying the Donuts:

1. After the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about half a centimeter thick.
2. Using a 6cm cookie cutter, cut out discs of dough.
3. Place the discs of dough on a baking sheet lined with squares of baking paper. The baking paper will make it easier to handle the donuts when they’re ready to fry.
4. Let the donuts rise: Cover the donuts with a cloth and let them rise for an additional 1 hour.
5. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a saucepan with high sides and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches about 180°C (350°F).
6. Fry the donuts: Once the oil is hot, carefully place 2 donuts at a time into the oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 5-6 minutes per donut, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and fully cooked inside.
7. Drain the donuts: Remove the donuts from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
8. While the donuts are still warm, roll them in sugar for a sweet coating.

Preparing the Italian Diplomatic Cream:

1. In a large bowl, whip the liquid cream with the icing sugar until stiff peaks form.
2. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pastry cream until smooth and combined. This creates the light, fluffy filling that will go inside the donuts.

Filling the Donuts:

1. Fill the donuts: Using a piping bag, carefully fill each donut with the prepared Italian Diplomatic Cream. Insert the piping tip into the side of the donut and gently squeeze to fill them with cream.

Tips:

• Frying temperature: Keep the oil temperature steady. If it’s too hot, the donuts will brown too quickly on the outside while remaining raw inside. If it’s too cool, the donuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
• Flavored sugar: For a twist, you can flavor the sugar by adding a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla powder before rolling the donuts in it.
• Extra filling: If you want a little more filling in each donut, be sure to overstuff them slightly with the cream.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve these donuts fresh and warm for the best flavor, and enjoy them with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. These filled donuts make a great dessert or snack for gatherings, brunch, or even a sweet treat to enjoy by yourself!

These donuts filled with Italian Diplomatic Cream are a delightful combination of light, fluffy dough and rich, creamy filling. They’ll melt in your mouth with every bite, and the sugar coating gives them the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy!