Description
Indulgent lemon cheesecake doughnuts merge zesty citrus with creamy cheesecake in a delightful pastry experience. Sweet, tangy notes dance across your palate, promising pure culinary bliss that satisfies dessert cravings with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
Dough Activation:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frying and Cooking:
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon curd
Decoration:
- 2–3 lemon slices
- 2–3 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by warming milk to 110°F, then mix with flour, sugar, salt, eggs, and softened butter to create a elastic dough.
- Knead the dough thoroughly until it becomes smooth and silky, then allow it to rest and rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour or until volume doubles.
- Punch down the risen dough and carefully shape into uniform, small rounded portions using gentle hand movements.
- Prepare a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot with vegetable oil heated to 350°F, ensuring consistent temperature for even cooking.
- Carefully lower dough balls into hot oil, frying until they transform into golden-brown, puffy delights, rotating occasionally for uniform coloration.
- Immediately transfer fried doughnuts onto paper towels to absorb excess oil, then roll them while warm in granulated sugar for a delicate sweet coating.
- Craft the creamy filling by whipping cream cheese with powdered sugar, incorporating bright lemon juice, zesty lemon zest, and rich lemon curd until achieving a smooth, luxurious texture.
- Once doughnuts completely cool, utilize a piping bag with a narrow tip to inject the tangy cheesecake mixture into each pastry’s center.
- Garnish each filled doughnut with a delicate lemon slice and vibrant mint sprig, creating an elegant and refreshing presentation.
- Serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and enjoy the harmonious blend of citrusy and sweet flavors.
Notes
- Ensure yeast is fresh and active by proofing in warm milk before adding other ingredients to guarantee perfect dough rise.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and consistent dough texture, preventing lumpy or uneven doughnuts.
- Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F for crispy exterior and fully cooked interior without absorbing excess oil.
- Replace lemon with other citrus like orange or lime for flavor variations, making the recipe adaptable to different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg