Doughnuts filled with jam

Fluffy donuts with jam - A recipe that will remind you of childhood

Who doesn't fondly remember the moment when mom or grandma took warm, steaming donuts filled with jam out of the oven? This recipe for fluffy donuts, which I learned from Rocsi, will transform your kitchen into a true oasis of flavors and beautiful memories.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (plus rising time)
Number of servings: 12 donuts

Necessary ingredients:

For the dough:
- 450 g flour (choose a good quality flour for the best results)
- 180 ml milk (heated, but not hot)
- 50 g butter (melted in a double boiler)
- 1 egg (at room temperature)
- 1 packet of dry yeast (or 25 g fresh yeast)
- 80 g sugar (you can adjust the amount according to your preferences)
- Grated zest of one lemon (for extra flavor)
- Jam (of any type you prefer, but apricot or raspberry jams work wonderfully)

For frying:
- Oil (enough to cover the bottom of a deep pot)

Preparing the donuts:

1. Preparing the dough: Start by melting the butter in a double boiler until it becomes liquid but does not boil. Meanwhile, warm the milk until it is lukewarm, then add the yeast and gently mix to activate it.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour with the sugar and the grated lemon zest. Ensure that the mixture is homogeneous to evenly distribute the flavors.

3. Combining the wet ingredients: In the center of the flour mixture, make a well and add the egg, the milk with the activated yeast, and the melted butter. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to incorporate the ingredients, mixing gradually.

4. Kneading the dough: Once the ingredients have started to come together, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and non-sticky. If you find it too sticky, you can add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

5. Letting the dough rise: Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it sit in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume. This is the perfect time to relax, maybe even think about the filling you will use.

6. Shaping the donuts: After the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on the work surface and take half of the dough out. Roll it out with a rolling pin until you achieve a thickness of about 1 cm. Use a glass to cut out circles, then place them on a baking tray lined with floured parchment paper. Let them rest for 30 minutes, covered with a towel.

7. Frying the donuts: In a deep pot or pan, heat the oil. Make sure it is hot enough but not smoking. Fry the donuts in batches until they are golden and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove them onto a paper towel to drain excess oil.

8. Filling the donuts: Use a pastry syringe to fill the cooled donuts with jam. This is the moment you can experiment – you can use a combination of jams, such as raspberry and apricot, to create an even more interesting flavor.

9. Finishing touches: Dust the filled donuts with powdered sugar for an attractive look and extra sweetness. Serve them warm, alongside a cup of tea or coffee, to complete this culinary experience.

Useful tips:
- If you want an even fluffier texture, you can replace part of the milk with sour cream.
- The donuts can be frozen after frying. You can reheat them in the oven to restore their fluffy consistency.
- Experiment with different types of fillings, such as chocolate, vanilla cream, or even a combination of fresh fruits.

Nutritional information (per donut):
- Calories: approximately 180
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Protein: 3 g

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use fresh yeast? Yes, replace one packet of dry yeast with 25 g of fresh yeast.
- What other fillings can I use? The donuts are versatile; you can try Nutella, cream cheese, or even a savory filling like cheese.
- How can I avoid them becoming oily? Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the donuts to avoid excessive oil absorption.

These fluffy donuts are perfect for serving at breakfast or as a dessert at a gathering with friends. Don’t forget to share the joy – cooking is so much more enjoyable when shared with loved ones!