How to Make Perfect Jelly Donuts at Home?

Introduction to Jelly Donuts

Just to lure people into taking a bite of the soft, fluffy, sweet, and succulent Jelly Donuts, there is something so retro about the whole thing. Jelly donuts can be eaten as breakfast with coffee in the morning or as an exquisite appetizing snack in the afternoon. You might think that because they are muffins, you cannot make them at home, but that is far from the truth; this is because, with the tips below, you can easily get baking. We will be covering all the information required to prepare sweet and delicious jelly donuts, which have a crisp outer surface & tender & soggy interior containing the chosen jelly. 

History of Jelly Donuts 

 The pie-shaped jelly donut, with its soft and tender texture and sweet center, has been enjoyed for generations. That’s why its history is not very clear; however, the idea of putting fruit preserves in the middle of this dough and frying it is a European innovation. Polish treats known as “pączki” are usually consumed before the start of the Lent period. Another similar treat that German people took to America was called “Berliner” which has slowly turned into the jelly donut we enjoy today. 

 Jelly-filled doughnuts were first introduced in American society in the early twentieth century when they were a feature in Jewish bakeries. Originally, these cookies were filled with raspberry or strawberry jelly, today there are more options for the filling – rich custard or chocolate. Despite its lengthy history of existence, jelly donuts still represent a treat, comfort food in most cultures. 

Ingredients and Tools Needed for Making Homemade Jelly Donuts

Before you start, it’s essential to gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoon equivalent to one small packet of active dry yeast 
•  ¾ cup warm milk that is 110°F or 43°C in temperature. 
•  ¼ cup granulated sugar 
•  2 large eggs 
•  375 grams of all-purpose flour (and a little more for dusting). 
•  ¼ cup unsalted butter-softened 
•  ½ teaspoon salt 
•  ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 

 For frying: 

•  4 Tablespoon vegetable oil (used for frying) 
•  For the filling: 
•  ¾ cup raspberry jelly strawberry jelly, or any other flavor according to one’s preference. 
•  ½ cup powdered sugar. I use this in the last step to dust over the cookies. 
•  Tools: 
•  Beater or electric mixer or large mixing bowl and wooden spoon in case you’re using a hand mixer 
•  Rolling pin 
•  Baking sheet 
•  Parchment paper 
•  Frying thermometer 
•  Strainer that is in the form of a spider or a slotted spoon. 
•  Pastry tube, tips of small cut, or a Ziploc plastic bag (for the submitting of filling) 
•  Cooling rack 

 Directions on How to Prepare Jelly Filled Doughnuts 

Now that you know what is needed to prepare fruit salad, let us proceed to the technique of how to prepare it. 

 Step 1: Activate the Yeast 

Activation of yeast in this process is done by adding warm water to yeast and allowing the mixture to stand for some time. In another bowl, add warm milk, yeast, and one teaspoon of sugar. Then, draw gently until foam appears, and leave the solution for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. This helps to check whether your yeast is alive or not because if it is inactive, the donuts will not rise as expected. 

Step 2 

How the dough is made Before the yeast is activated, combine in a big bowl: 1 cup warm water 1 tbsp sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups flour In a separate bowl, melt ¼ cup butter and mix with ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons baking powder. 

In the large mixing bowl (if you’re using a stand mixer, then in its bowl) combine activated yeast, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix briefly to combine. Slowly incorporate the flour, salt, and butter, which should be in a softened state, into the dough while mixing on low speed. Finally, if you bring a baker and decide to mix your ingredients manually, use a wooden spoon to do so. Keep on kneading until the dough forms a soft and pliable texture, which should take approximately 5-7 minutes. 

 Step 3: Allow to Rise 

 After kneading the dough, put it in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let the dough rise until it doubles in size, for about 1- 2 hours. 

 Step 4: Roll The Dough

 When the dough has fermented, it means it has risen and then pounded to expel the air. Knead with a little flour and roll it into the required size, perhaps ½ an inch thick. To do this one should use a round cutter of about 3 inches to make circular disks out of the dough. Put the cut-out donuts onto the baking sheet, which has been lined with parchment paper. They should then be covered with a towel then left to rise for the second time for 30-45 minutes. 

 Step 5: Heat the Oil or Cooking fat You want to use. 

You can then set aside the vegetable oil in a large, deep pan. If at all you want to achieve the best donut that has just the right outside fry to it, it is advisable to use a thermometer to help you monitor the heat. 

 Step 6: Fry the Donuts 

 After the oil is hot and the donuts have risen, gently put 2-3 donuts in the oil at the same time. Pan fry until it has a golden-brown color, at least on both sides, and this is between 1 and 2 minutes. After frying, drain the donuts with the simplicity of a spider strainer and put them on a rack that is covered with a paper towel. 

 Step 7: Transflective Donuts 

This is because when working on the next step of inserting the filling, you are supposed to let the donuts cool a little. Put the jelly into a thin nozzle of the pastry bag and then squeeze the jelly into the middle of the donut. If you hold a pastry bag, then simply you can also make use of the zip-top bag in which you cut the very small corner of it. 

 Step 8: Dust with Sugar 

 Last of all, using powdered sugar, sprinkle the donuts when they are still warm, or sprinkle sugar before you start serving the donuts. 

Check Out: 7 Reasons to Love Funfetti Donut Holes.

Helpful Hints for Making a Mouth-Watering Homemade Jelly Donuts 

•  Control the Temperature: Another aspect that must not be overlooked when deep frying is the temperature towards achieving the perfect donuts. If the oil is too hot, the donuts will burn from the skins, while from inside, they are still raw. When the oil is too cool, the donuts will end up over-absorbing the oil and thus become greasy.
• Don’t Overfill the Donuts: However, going easy is the best approach during the filling of the donuts with the jelly. This can result in the biscuits getting filled up to the extent that they burst or make the donuts soggy. It has a moist texture, however, a small quantity of jelly is enough when it comes to taste. 
•  Use a Thermometer for the Dough: To find out if the dough has risen enough, if you are not sure, use a thermometer. Ideally, the rising temperature should be around 77°F for the dough. A temperature below the recommended one will reduce the rate of increase, and any temperature above the recommended one will eradicate the yeast. 
•  Handle the Dough Gently: Do not over-mix your dough after they have risen. Excessive mixing will cause the dough to be over-kneaded, and this will lead to the production of hard, chewy donuts. It requires to be rolled gently until it becomes set so that it retains its light texture. 
•  Test One Donut First: Whenever making your donuts, you should fry only one in order to test whether they should be fried all at one time. This will assist you in noticing the extent of heat in oil, the duration to fry, and if the dough requires some changes. 

Jelly-Filled Cookies Alternative to The Traditional Jelly Doughnut Recipe 

 However, besides the traditional donut filled with raspberry, it is possible to make numerous variations of this recipe. Here are some variations to try:

•  Custard-Filled Donuts: For a superior filling, replace the jelly with vanilla custard or pastry cream or even with whipped cream. 
•  Chocolate Hazelnut Donuts: Guarantee the donuts are filled with a chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella) for an extra enhanced experience of the usual donut. 
•  Citrus Marmalade Donuts: Replace the raspberry jelly with healthy citrus marmalade. The orange flavor is rather bright and zesty, while the sweetness of the glaze complements the donut. 
•  Glazed Jelly Donuts: In place of sprinkling powdered sugar over the donuts, simply set them in a simple glaze of powdered milk and vanilla. 
•  Jam and Cream Donuts: If you want it to be a bit more sumptuous, you can put whipped cream beside the jelly filling that you put in the middle.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Perfectly Delicious Homemade Jelly Donuts!

Certainly, homemade jelly donuts, if a little patience is exercised and practice is given, can turn out to be rather tasty. These popular family treats are ideal for the whole family and will take a few minutes to prepare for the weekends or simply sweet moments. Regardless of the sweet concoction placed in between the dough, there is nothing like the warm, freshly made donut. Enjoy! 

For More Info: Click Here!

 FAQs