Raspberry Cheesecake Filled Donuts

Creamy cheesecake, fresh raspberry jam, and a perfectly fried and sugar tossed donut await you with these raspberry cheesecake filled donuts.

Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a delightful homemade treat? Indulge your Valentine {or Galentines!} with these irresistible Raspberry Cheesecake Filled Donuts. Golden-brown, heart-shaped donuts are filled with a luscious raspberry jam + cheesecake filling, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Whether you're planning a romantic breakfast in bed or a cozy evening dessert, these decadent donuts are sure to steal the heart of your loved one. Get ready to impress with this delicious Valentine’s Day recipe. Let’s make them. 

Ingredients:

For the donuts:

• 1 ¼ Ounce Pack of Instant or Dry Active Yeast (0.25 ounce if weighing)
• ¼ Cup granulated sugar
• ⅔ Cup Whole or 2% Milk, warmed to about 110°
• ⅓ Cup Salted Butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 Large Egg, room temperature
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• 2 ¼ Cups All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting and rolling the dough out
• Extra granulated sugar for donut rolling 

For the homemade raspberry jam:

• 1 Cup Raspberries
• ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

For the cheesecake filling:

• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Donut Dough:

• In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg and salt to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
• Gradually add the flour and yeast mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

2. Make the Raspberry Jam:

• In a small saucepan, combine the raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the raspberries break down, about 5-7 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let the jam cool completely.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
• Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated.
• Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a small tip and set aside.

4. Shape and Fry the Donuts:

• Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thickness.
• Using a 3”-4” round cookie cutter, cut out individual donuts from the dough.
• Place the cut-out donuts on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 60 minutes or until they have doubled in size again.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
• Carefully fry the donuts in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
• Remove the donuts from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Assemble the Donuts:

• Once the donuts have cooled slightly, toss them in the extra granulated sugar. Allow the donuts to cool to room temperature before filling.
• Pipe both the raspberry jam and cheesecake filling into each donut until filled to your liking.
• Serve immediately. Best enjoyed day of.

Dietary Substitutions:

I love providing gluten and dairy free substitutions so that those with alternate dietary needs can enjoy my recipes to their fullest! These are subs that I have either used and continue to stock in my own home, or that have come highly recommended from others. I want your baking experience to be the best it can be, and avoiding gluten or dairy shouldn’t hinder that process in the slightest. 

As always, here is a list of tried and true dietary substitutes, so that you can enjoy this recipe without the additions of gluten or dairy. 

Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour is a wonderful all-purpose sub, and it’s cup for cup, so use the same measurements as you would all-purpose flour. 

Miyokos butter is a plant based brick that closely resembles dairy butter not only in its look, but it’s taste as well. It melts, browns, and spreads just like real butter, and truly is a fantastic substitute in this recipe. Use it as a 1:1 ratio sub, same as the flour, so the recipe measurements will not change. 

Miyokos also makes a wonderful cream cheese that would be an excellent dairy free base in this recipe. 

Conclusion:

These Raspberry Cheesecake Filled Donuts are the perfect treat for any occasion. With a fluffy, homemade donut filled with a creamy cheesecake filling and tangy raspberry jam, they're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. These delicious donuts are sure to be a hit with family and friends as you indulge in a little slice of heaven this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy! 

XO,

Heather 

Try my cinnamon sugar star bread for another pillowy treat this week!