Doughnuts are one of the ultimate comfort foods, and stuffing them with Nutella takes this delicious treat to a whole new level of indulgence. Whether you're preparing these doughnuts for a special breakfast, dessert, or just a sweet craving, making them at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating light, fluffy, and irresistibly gooey Nutella-stuffed doughnuts.
By the end of this, you’ll have a clear understanding of everything from preparing the dough to frying and stuffing the doughnuts to perfection.
Why Nutella-Stuffed Doughnuts?
Nutella, with its rich hazelnut and chocolate flavor, is a beloved spread enjoyed by people worldwide. Pairing it with doughnuts, a soft and pillowy pastry, is a match made in dessert heaven. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the creamy filling is an experience worth trying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we begin, let’s gather all the ingredients necessary for making Nutella-stuffed doughnuts.
For the Doughnuts:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Filling:
1 cup Nutella (or more if you want extra filling)
For Coating:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Equipment You’ll Need
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Dough hook or spoon
Rolling pin
Deep pot for frying
Cooling rack
Piping bag or ziplock bag with a piping nozzle
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
To begin with, you’ll need to create a soft and fluffy dough that’s perfect for frying. Here’s how:
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This is a sign that the yeast is active and ready to work.
Mix the Ingredients: In a larger mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Mix everything until a soft dough forms.
Kneading the Dough: If you’re using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead the dough for 5–7 minutes on medium speed. If you’re kneading by hand, dust your work surface with flour and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Shaping the Doughnuts
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into doughnuts.
Roll Out the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Cut Out the Doughnuts: Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out doughnut shapes. The doughnuts should be around 3–4 inches in diameter. If you want to make mini doughnuts, you can use a smaller cutter.
Second Rise: Place the cut doughnuts on a lightly floured baking sheet. Cover them with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise again for about 30 minutes. This second rise ensures they will be fluffy and light when fried.
Step 3: Frying the Doughnuts
Frying doughnuts is where the magic happens. They puff up and get golden brown, creating the perfect outer shell.
Heat the Oil: In a deep pot, pour vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the oil stays at the correct temperature throughout the frying process.
Fry the Doughnuts: Gently lower 2–3 doughnuts into the hot oil at a time. Fry them for about 1–2 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown. Be sure not to overcrowd the pot, as this can lower the oil’s temperature and lead to greasy doughnuts.
Drain the Doughnuts: Once the doughnuts are golden and cooked through, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a cooling rack lined with paper towels. Let them cool for a few minutes.
Step 4: Filling the Doughnuts with Nutella
Now that your doughnuts are ready, it’s time to stuff them with creamy Nutella!
Prepare the Nutella: To make the Nutella easier to pipe into the doughnuts, slightly warm it in the microwave for 15–20 seconds. Be careful not to overheat it; you just want it soft enough to pipe.
Fill the Doughnuts: Fit a piping bag with a long nozzle and fill it with Nutella. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off and attach a nozzle. Insert the nozzle into the side of each doughnut and squeeze the Nutella into the center. Be generous with the filling for that delicious burst of flavor!
Step 5: Coating the Doughnuts
For a final touch, coat your freshly filled doughnuts with sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mix.
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:In a bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. While the doughnuts are still slightly warm, roll them in the sugar mixture. This gives the doughnuts a crispy, sweet exterior that complements the rich Nutella inside.
Plain Sugar Coating: If you prefer, you can skip the cinnamon and simply roll the doughnuts in plain sugar.
Step 6: Serving and Storing
Once your Nutella-stuffed doughnuts are ready, serve them immediately. They are best enjoyed warm when the Nutella filling is still gooey and the doughnut is soft and fresh.
If you need to store them, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can reheat them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that fresh, warm doughnut experience.
Tips for the Perfect Nutella-Stuffed Doughnuts
Don’t Overstuff: While it’s tempting to load the doughnuts with as much Nutella as possible, be mindful that overfilling can cause the doughnuts to leak or become too heavy. A tablespoon of filling per doughnut is usually enough for the perfect balance.
Keep the Oil Temperature Consistent: Maintaining a steady oil temperature is key to avoiding greasy doughnuts. Too cool, and they’ll soak up too much oil; too hot, and they’ll burn on the outside while remaining undercooked inside.
Experiment with Fillings: Nutella is a classic, but feel free to get creative. You can try stuffing the doughnuts with jam, custard, or even peanut butter for a different twist.
Conclusion
Making Nutella-stuffed doughnuts at home is a fun and satisfying baking project. The combination of soft dough, crispy sugar coating, and a rich, creamy Nutella center creates a treat that’s hard to resist. With a little patience and practice, you’ll master this recipe and be able to whip up these doughnuts whenever the craving strikes.
So why not give it a try? Gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to indulge in a batch of irresistible homemade Nutella-stuffed doughnuts!
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