Oh my goodness, are you ready for a treat that will elevate your donut game to a level you never knew existed? Let me introduce you to my favorite recipe: **Filled Sourdough Donuts**! These beauties have a crispy outer shell, a fluffy, sourdough-influenced interior, and the best part? They’re filled with your choice of fruity jam or jelly!
I first stumbled across this recipe during a lazy Sunday, where I decided to experiment with my sourdough starter. And let me tell you, those little creatures keep multiplying! Soon after, I had more starter than I knew what to do with. That’s when I decided to try making donuts. It turned into a donut party, and my friends still rave about them! The best part is how warm and comforting they are, making for perfect indulgence on a chilly morning or just because you deserve a little sweetness in your day.
What’s in Filled Sourdough Donuts?
Let’s break down the ingredients so you know exactly what we’re working with. Each element plays a crucial role in creating these delightful morsels!
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our donuts, providing the structure and chewiness. I’ve found that unbleached flour tends to yield a better texture.
Sourdough Starter: You need an active and bubbly starter here! It adds that fantastic tanginess and depth of flavor to the donuts, making them unlike any store-bought version.
Granulated Sugar: It sweetens the donuts and gives them that lovely sugary coating. I sometimes like to play with flavored sugars for an extra touch.
Salt: A tiny pinch of salt helps balance out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These are our trusty leavening agents that help the donuts puff up and become airy while frying.
Lukewarm Milk: This helps to activate the dough and contributes to the rich texture of the donuts. Use whole milk for the creamiest results.
Eggs: These beauties provide richness and help bind everything together.
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds that luscious flavor and moistness to our creations.
Fruit Jam or Jelly: You can use your favorite flavor here – strawberry, raspberry, or maybe even something wild like passionfruit! The sky’s the limit!
Oil for Frying: Vegetable or canola oil works perfectly here, giving you crispy donuts without a greasy aftertaste.
Is Filled Sourdough Donuts Good for You?
Well, let’s not kid ourselves—these donuts are a treat! But they do have some upsides.
The star player, the sourdough starter, is made through fermentation, which means it can be easier to digest and may contain some gut-friendly probiotics. Plus, you’re using simple ingredients that you can always feel good about! The fruit jam adds natural sweetness and can even provide some vitamins and antioxidants. On the flip side, they are fried, so they’re definitely not something you want to eat every day (though if you do, who am I to judge?). Moderation is key!
Ingredients for Filled Sourdough Donuts (Makes about 12 donuts):
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup sourdough starter (active and bubbly)
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 cup milk, lukewarm
– 2 large eggs
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1 cup fruit jam or jelly (strawberry, raspberry, or your choice)
– Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
How to Make Filled Sourdough Donuts?
And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for—let’s dive into how to create these adorable donuts!
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Give it a good mix!
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter, lukewarm milk, eggs, and melted butter until well incorporated.
3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a sticky dough forms. You can channel your inner baker and use a wooden spoon or spatula!
4. Once combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let that dough rise at room temperature for about 4-6 hours, until it’s doubled in size.
5. When the magic happens and the dough has risen, gently turn it out onto a floured surface and light knead it for a minute.
6. Roll the dough into a thick rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and cut rounds using a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large and one small for the hole).
7. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover them with a kitchen towel. Let them puff up for another 30-40 minutes.
8. Heat oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C) and fry the donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Careful not to crowd the pan!
9. After frying, let the donuts rest on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up that excess oil.
10. While still warm, toss those beauties in granulated sugar for an extra sweet touch.
11. Once they’re cool enough to handle, use a piping bag fitted with a small tip to fill them with fruit jam or jelly. Just inject that filling into the side of each donut.
12. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. But let’s be real; they’re probably going to disappear in a flash!
Amazing Variations and Extra Tips!
Now, let’s make this recipe even more fun! You can truly customize these donuts based on your preferences:
– Swap out the filling! There’s nothing wrong with Nutella or whipped chocolate ganache – yum!
– Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch.
– Consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for an extra flavor depth.
– If you like a crunchy exterior, try a glaze of your choice after frying!
I just can’t stress enough how delightful these filled sourdough donuts are! Once you make them, I promise you’ll want to bake them regularly. They’re perfect for sharing (or not!) and each bite feels like a warm hug. So, gather your ingredients, put on some fun music, and let’s make some sweet memories together. I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out! Enjoy!
