If you’re looking for the ultimate comforting treat that brings together all the best childhood memories, these Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate are about to become your new obsession! Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy donut, its exterior delicately encrusted in sweet sugar, only to reveal a luscious, gooey chocolate filling inside. These are joyfully irresistible—and shockingly easy to make at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Texture: These Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate are unbelievably soft and airy on the inside with a satisfyingly crisp, sugary crust.
- Surprise Inside: Each bite bursts with gooey, rich chocolate spread, offering a sweet surprise at the very center.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients: No complicated specialty items here—just a handful of everyday staples produce bakery-worthy results.
- Customizable Joy: Whether you prefer a classic chocolate filling or want to experiment with different flavors, these donuts are the perfect canvas for your creativity.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Trust me, the ingredient list for these Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate may be short, but each one truly transforms this treat from good to unforgettable. Every single component plays a starring role—whether it’s creating the soft dough, guaranteeing a rich chocolate center, or delivering that sparkling sugar crunch on the outside.
- Milk: Make sure it’s warm but not hot—think cozy bathwater—to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Instant Yeast: Gives the donuts their incredible rise and tender fluffy crumb.
- White Caster Sugar: Sweetens the dough just the right amount, so it complements both the chocolate and the coating.
- Vanilla Sugar (or extract): Adds an aromatic vanilla note that elevates the overall flavor—if you can’t find vanilla sugar, a splash of good vanilla extract works beautifully.
- Butter: For richness and that classic plush donut texture; use real butter for best results.
- Egg: Brings tenderness to the dough and helps bind everything together.
- Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly here, creating that classic donut bite.
- Salt: Don’t skip it! Just a touch really balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
- Chocolate Spread: The decadent heart of our donuts—use your favorite, whether that’s Nutella, a dark chocolate spread, or even homemade.
- Granulated Sugar (for rolling): This is what gives the donuts their iconic, sparkly finish and a slight crunch.
Variations
One of the magical things about Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate is how wonderfully adaptable they are! With just a few tweaks or swaps, you can make these donuts your own, whether you’re steering toward different flavors, going dairy-free, or crafting a vegan-friendly treat.
- Jam or Cream Filling: Swap out the chocolate spread for raspberry jam, lemon curd, or your favorite pastry cream for your own custom filled donut experience.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Mix ground cinnamon into your sugar before rolling if you crave a touch of warm spice.
- Dairy-Free or Vegan: Use a plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg replacer to create an indulgent treat everyone can enjoy.
- Chocolate-Chili Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to your chocolate spread for a subtle, sophisticated twist that pairs decadently with the sweet sugar coating.
How to Make Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate
Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough
Begin by gently warming your milk until it’s just lukewarm—not hot! Combine the warm milk, instant yeast, white caster sugar, and vanilla sugar in a large bowl. Give everything a good mix to dissolve the sugars. Add your melted butter and a beaten egg to join the mixture, whisking until smooth. Now, stir in the flour and salt, then knead the dough until it’s smooth, stretchy, and just a bit tacky. This step is crucial for those irresistibly fluffy Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate.
Step 2: Rest and First Rise
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, then tuck it in somewhere warm and draft-free. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, until it’s doubled in size. This relaxed rising time is where the magic happens, transforming your dough into a feathery-soft, airy base for your chocolate-filled treats.
Step 3: Shape and Fill
Punch down the dough to deflate and divide it into 12 even pieces (about 58g each if you’re a stickler for precision). Roll each into a smooth ball, then flatten into a disk. Pipe or spoon a small dollop of chocolate spread into the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges very firmly to seal—this is key for perfect Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate and no runaway filling!
Step 4: Second Rise
Let your filled dough balls rest on a lined baking sheet, covered, for another 30 minutes. This final nap lets them puff up beautifully, ensuring every donut will fry up light and impressive.
Step 5: Fry & Coat in Sugar
Heat a generous layer of sunflower oil (or neutral oil) in a deep frying pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry the donuts, a few at a time, until they’re golden on both sides—this should only take a couple of minutes per donut. Place the donuts on a paper towel-lined tray, then while still warm, roll them in granulated sugar for that classic sparkle and irresistible sugar crunch. Serve and watch them disappear!
Pro Tips for Making Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate
- Warmth Is Key for Proofing: Allow your dough to rise in a cozy, draft-free space for that signature fluffy crumb. On cold days, use a slightly-warmed (and turned off!) oven as your proof box.
- Seal the Edges Like a Pro: Gently press (or dab with a bit of water) around the edges of the dough after filling to completely encase the chocolate and prevent leaks during frying.
- Fry in Small Batches: Adding too many donuts at once drops the oil temperature and makes them greasy. Stick to 2-3 at a time for best golden results.
- Roll in Sugar While Warm: Coat the donuts with sugar immediately after frying so the coating adheres perfectly and you get that signature sparkle and crunch.
How to Serve Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate
Garnishes
While these donuts are more than delicious on their own, you can make them even more eye-catching by dusting with a little powdered sugar, drizzling them with melted chocolate, or sprinkling on some toasted chopped hazelnuts for extra crunch and a sophisticated finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate with a creamy vanilla latte, a tall glass of cold milk, or some hot chocolate for the ultimate treat-yourself moment. They also make a whimsical addition to a brunch spread next to fresh fruit or yogurt parfaits.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack donuts on a tiered cake stand for a dramatic brunch centerpiece, or tuck them into decorative parchment cones for a playful, portable dessert at parties. For a special touch, arrange them around a bowl of warm chocolate sauce for extra dipping fun—double chocolate, anyone?
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you actually have any Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate left (trust me, it’s rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place a paper towel inside to help absorb any excess moisture and keep the sugar crust from getting soggy.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze these donuts! Let them cool completely, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or gently reheat for fresh-from-the-fryer, melty chocolate magic.
Reheating
To revive leftover donuts, pop them in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 5-7 minutes, or briefly microwave (be aware: sugar coating may melt a bit). Either way, you’ll bring back that soft, dreamy texture and rich, gooey chocolate filling.
FAQs
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Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely! Just dissolve the active dry yeast in your lukewarm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly before proceeding with the recipe. Your Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate will turn out just as fluffy.
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My chocolate filling leaked out during frying—what went wrong?
This usually means the dough wasn’t sealed tightly enough around the filling. Make sure to firmly pinch and, if needed, slightly moisten the edges so the chocolate is fully encased before frying.
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Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?
You can bake them at 180°C (350°F) for 15-18 minutes until golden, but the result will be more like a soft bun rather than a classic donut. The fried version gives you the authentic texture and flavor for Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate.
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What types of chocolate spread work best?
Use your favorite chocolate spread—Nutella, a darker chocolate hazelnut, or even white chocolate spreads. The key is to use one that’s thick enough not to run too much when heated inside the donut.
Final Thoughts
There’s honestly nothing more comforting than sharing a batch of Sugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate with the people you love. Whether they’re for a weekend brunch, a special celebration, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts promise pure, gooey happiness in every bite. Go ahead, give them a try—you’ll be surprised just how quickly they disappear!
PrintSugar Donuts Filled With Chocolate Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of these homemade sugar donuts filled with luscious chocolate spread. Perfectly sweet and satisfying, these irresistible treats are sure to be a hit with everyone!
Ingredients
DOUGH
- 190 ml milk
- 7 g instant yeast
- 30 g white caster sugar
- 16 g vanilla sugar
- 35 g butter
- 1 egg
- 400 g flour
- 4 g salt
FILLING
- 200 g chocolate spread
COATING
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
- Mixing the Dough: Combine milk, yeast, sugars, butter, egg, flour, and salt. Knead until smooth. Let rest.
- Rising: Let the dough rise until doubled in size.
- Shaping: Divide dough, fill with chocolate spread, shape, and seal.
- Second Rise: Let the filled dough rise again until doubled.
- Frying: Fry the filled dough until golden brown.
- Coating: Roll the warm donuts in granulated sugar.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is not too hot for the yeast.
- Proper kneading results in a light dough.
- Seal the dough well to prevent filling leakage.
- Roll in sugar while warm for better adherence.
- Consider using vanilla extract as a substitute.
- Experiment with various fillings for versatility.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg