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Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts


  • Author: Mira
  • Total Time: 40
  • Yield: 8 donuts
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts are a quick breakfast upgrade and the sweetest addition to your easy recipe collection—soft fried donuts filled with creamy cheesecake, topped with glossy strawberry sauce and graham cracker crumbs. They’re perfect when you’re hunting for breakfast ideas, fun dessert food ideas, or even a playful twist to end an easy dinner on a sweet note. Make a batch for brunch, share as a not-so-healthy snack on special days, or add them to your favorite dinner ideas when you want a show-stopping treat everyone will talk about.


Ingredients

8 large refrigerated flaky biscuits

4 cups neutral frying oil

2 cups chopped fresh strawberries

0.25 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

8 ounces cream cheese softened

0.75 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

0.25 cup heavy cream

0.75 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons melted butter


Instructions

1. Make the strawberry sauce by combining the chopped strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat and cooking until the berries release their juices and begin to break down.

2. Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry, then add it to the strawberry mixture and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and looks glossy.

3. Remove the strawberry sauce from the heat and let it cool completely to room temperature; it will continue to thicken as it cools.

4. Prepare the cheesecake filling by beating the softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until completely smooth and free of lumps.

5. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and beat again until light, fluffy, and well combined.

6. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while mixing on medium speed until the filling is creamy, slightly thick, and holds soft peaks that are easy to pipe.

7. Transfer the cheesecake filling to a piping bag fitted with a round tip or a zip top bag with the corner snipped off and refrigerate until ready to use.

8. Heat the frying oil in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F or 175°C, using a thermometer if possible to keep the temperature steady.

9. Separate the refrigerated biscuit dough into individual biscuits and gently reshape them if needed while the oil finishes heating.

10. Fry 2 to 3 biscuits at a time in the hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning once, until they are puffed and deep golden brown.

11. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried donuts to a paper towel lined tray and let them cool until they are warm but no longer hot to the touch.

12. Create a tunnel in each donut by inserting a skewer or the handle of a wooden spoon into the side and gently wiggling it to open space for the filling.

13. Pipe the chilled cheesecake filling into each donut through the tunnel until the donut feels slightly heavier and a bit of filling threatens to peek out.

14. Stir the cooled strawberry sauce and spoon a generous dollop over the top of each filled donut, letting some drip down the sides.

15. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl and stir until the mixture looks like damp sand.

16. Sprinkle the buttery graham crumbs over the strawberry topped donuts to give them a cheesecake crust style crunch.

17. Serve the donuts immediately for a warm, gooey center or refrigerate them for 30 to 60 minutes for a more classic cheesecake style bite.

18. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and enjoy them chilled straight from the fridge.

Notes

For the best texture, keep the oil temperature close to 350°F (175°C); oil that is too cool will make the donuts greasy, and oil that is too hot will brown the outside before the center is cooked through.

Make sure the strawberry sauce is fully cooled and slightly thick before topping the donuts so it sits nicely on top instead of soaking into the dough.

If you want a stronger cheesecake flavor, use full fat cream cheese and add an extra splash of vanilla extract or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the filling.

  • Prep Time: 25
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop, Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 22
  • Sodium: 550
  • Fat: 20
  • Saturated Fat: 9
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 42
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 6
  • Cholesterol: 45

Keywords: strawberry cheesecake donuts, quick breakfast, breakfast ideas, dessert ideas, easy recipe, food ideas, sweet brunch