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Boston Cream Donuts with Chocolate Ganache

RecipesBREADSep 30Written By Malu Bonifacio

Boston cream donuts are a beloved American classic, originating from Boston and inspired by the iconic Boston cream pie. This indulgent treat features a soft, fluffy fried donut filled with smooth custard cream and topped with a rich chocolate ganache—a perfect marriage of textures and flavors that has delighted dessert lovers for generations.

This recipe requires moderate time and effort, as it involves multiple components: preparing and proofing the yeast dough, making the custard filling, frying the donuts, and creating the chocolate ganache. Plan for approximately 3-4 hours from start to finish, including rising time. While the individual steps are straightforward and manageable for home bakers, this is not a quick recipe—but the impressive results and delicious homemade donuts make every minute worthwhile. For an extra touch, add colorful sprinkles on top to make them even more appealing to children and guests.

This recipe is adapted from www.LauraintheKitchen.com.

Boston Cream Donuts with Chocolate Ganache

Yield

10

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp active yeast
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp shortening, melted
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2½ tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  • ⅓ cup whipping cream

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 tsp of sugar and the yeast. Set aside until it starts to foam.
  2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, with dough hook attachment, add the yeast mixture, sugar, eggs, salt, melted butter and shortening.
  3. Add the flour, mix until it is incorporated. Mix until the dough is nice and smooth.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Set aside until it doubles in size. (an hour or 2). Meanwhile, make the custard.
  5. Add all your custard ingredients in a large saucepan and mix them together.
  6. Turn on the stove in medium heat and stir until the custard thickens. Set aside.
  7. Once cooled, place in a piping bag with a round tip.
  8. Once the dough rises, place the dough onto a floured surface, punch it down, roll it out to a 1/2 inch thickness.
  9. Using a 3.5 cookie cutter, cut out your donuts, place them on your baking sheets a couple inches apart, cover them until they double in size.
  10. While waiting for the dough to double in size, take a deep frying pan and pour oil half way on the pot.
  11. Once the donuts have risen, gently lower them into the frying pan and cook them for about 3 minutes on each side or until puffed and golden brown.
  12. Take them out of the frying pan and place them on a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil.
  13. While waiting for the donuts to cool, make the ganache.
  14. Pour whipping cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat until just below boiling point.
  15. Pour the heated cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for a minute before stirring.
  16. Pour in a wide bowl for easy dipping.
  17. To assemble, squeeze the custard at the side of the donut. Stick the piping tip about halfway in and squeeze out the cream.
  18. Dip the donuts in the chocolate ganache and allow them to sit and rest for about 10 minutes before eating.
  19. Enjoy it with coffee or tea.