Lemon Filled Doughnuts Recipe

Fluffy Lemon Filled Doughnuts Recipe: Sunshine in Every Bite

Crafting delectable lemon filled doughnuts sparks pure culinary joy in my kitchen.

Sweet aromas drift through the air, promising something magical.

Soft, pillowy pastries await your delightful exploration.

Zesty citrus notes dance within each tender bite.

Crisp exterior gives way to creamy, bright centers that surprise and delight.

We’re about to embark on a delicious adventure that celebrates simple ingredients and passionate baking.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let your taste buds celebrate.

FAQs About Lemon Filled Doughnuts

  • How do I know when the doughnuts are perfectly baked?

When you gently press the top of the doughnut and it springs back immediately, they’re done. The edges should also be lightly golden brown.

  • Can I use a different type of citrus zest?

Absolutely! You can substitute lemon zest with orange or lime zest for a different flavor profile while keeping the same bright, citrusy essence.

  • What's the best way to pipe the batter into the doughnut pan?

Use a piping bag or a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off. Fill each cavity only halfway to prevent overflow and ensure even baking.

Why Lemon Filled Doughnuts Are Bright And Delicious

  • Bursting with Zesty Flavor: Dive into a delightful treat that combines the soft, pillowy texture of doughnuts with the bright, tangy essence of lemon curd.
  • Bake and Enjoy Quickly: Create these delectable doughnuts in mere minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings.
  • Kid-Friendly Cooking Companion: Engage young bakers with a simple recipe that teaches basic mixing and piping skills while creating a delicious family treat.
  • Versatile Dessert Delight: Perfectly suited for brunches, afternoon tea, or as a special weekend breakfast surprise that will bring smiles to everyone's faces.

Everything You Need For Lemon Filled Doughnuts

Dry Ingredients:
  • All Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure for the doughnuts.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the doughnuts rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the doughnuts.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Vegetable Oil: Adds tenderness and keeps the doughnuts soft.
  • Egg: Provides structure and helps with binding.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor to the doughnuts.
  • Lemon Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy note to the recipe.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a classic sweet dusting on top of the doughnuts.
  • Lemon Curd: Serves as a delicious filling to complement the lemon zest in the doughnuts.

How To Make Lemon Filled Doughnuts From Scratch

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your doughnut pan a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Make sure everything is well blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Lemon zest

Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix or your doughnuts will become tough.

Step 5: Fill the Doughnut Pan

Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the doughnut pan, filling each cavity about halfway.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Check doneness by gently pressing the doughnut – it should spring back when touched.

Step 7: Cool and Fill

Let the doughnuts cool completely. Once cooled, fill each doughnut with tangy lemon curd using a piping bag.

Step 8: Finish with Flair

Dust the filled doughnuts with a light snowfall of powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Tips For A Soft Doughnut And Tangy Filling

  • Swap vegetable oil with coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist and added richness.
  • Use a piping bag with a small round tip for precise and clean lemon curd filling.
  • Zest fresh lemons right before mixing to maximize the bright, citrusy flavor profile.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the doughnuts light and tender, preventing a tough texture.
  • Store filled doughnuts in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and taste.

Fun Twists On Classic Lemon Filled Doughnuts

  • Blueberry Burst: Replace lemon zest with fresh blueberry puree and fill doughnuts with homemade blueberry compote for a fruity summer treat.
  • Lavender Lemon: Add dried lavender to the batter and infuse the lemon curd with lavender extract for an elegant, aromatic variation.
  • Chocolate Orange: Swap lemon zest for orange zest, add cocoa powder to the batter, and fill with chocolate-orange cream for a decadent dessert.
  • Coconut Cream: Mix shredded coconut into the batter, fill with coconut custard, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical version.

Best Drinks To Serve With Lemon Doughnuts

  • Pair Zesty Lemon Doughnuts with Complementary Flavors
  • Brew Bright Earl Grey Tea: The bergamot and citrus notes of Earl Grey perfectly complement the lemon doughnuts, creating a refreshing and balanced taste experience that enhances the tangy lemon flavor.
  • Select Creamy Vanilla Latte: A smooth, rich vanilla latte provides a gentle contrast to the bright, acidic lemon, balancing the doughnut's tartness with its sweet, creamy undertones and creating a delightful morning treat.
  • Serve with Fresh Berries: A small side of mixed berries like raspberries or blueberries adds a natural sweetness and vibrant color that harmonizes with the lemon's zesty profile, elevating the overall dessert experience.

How To Keep Lemon Filled Doughnuts Fresh

  • Store filled lemon doughnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each doughnut individually in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
  • Place doughnuts in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving.
  • Warm doughnuts at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore their soft texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicate pastry.
  • Warm doughnuts for 10-15 seconds on low power. Check carefully to prevent rubbery texture and maintain the doughnut's delicate crumb.
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Lemon Filled Doughnuts Recipe

Lemon Filled Doughnuts Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Heavenly lemon filled doughnuts bring Italian pastry magic straight to your kitchen, dancing with zesty citrus and pillowy sweetness. Sweet-tart filling nestled in golden fried dough creates a delightful treat you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Lemon curd (for filling)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a doughnut pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Whisk together the liquid components in a separate vessel, incorporating milk, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, and vibrant lemon zest until smoothly integrated.
  4. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with minimal agitation to maintain a light, airy texture.
  5. Transfer the batter to a piping bag, carefully filling each doughnut cavity to approximately halfway, creating uniform shapes.
  6. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the doughnuts develop a golden edge and spring back when lightly touched.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow the doughnuts to cool completely on a wire rack, ensuring they reach room temperature before filling.
  8. Carefully inject each doughnut with lemon curd using a piping bag, distributing the filling evenly throughout.
  9. Finish by delicately dusting the filled doughnuts with a light snowfall of powdered sugar, creating an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
  • Use fresh lemon zest to maximize citrusy flavor and aromatic profile.
  • For gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour blend.
  • Test doneness by gently pressing the doughnut’s surface; it should bounce back immediately without leaving an indentation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 217 kcal
  • Sugar: 11 g
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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