Indulge in the perfect blend of rich, fluffy brioche and decadent chocolate custard with these homemade Chocolate Custard Brioche Donuts. These donuts are a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth, offering the comfort of freshly fried dough paired with a creamy and luscious custard filling. Perfect for a special breakfast, a weekend treat, or as a delightful dessert, these donuts will surely become a favorite. The buttery brioche dough gives a light, airy texture, while the chocolate custard center adds a velvety sweetness, making every bite irresistible.

While these donuts require a bit of time to prepare, the result is well worth it. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or treat yourself to something extraordinary, this recipe combines the joy of homemade donuts with the elegance of custard-filled indulgence. The warm, freshly fried donuts, with their chocolate surprise inside, offer the perfect combination of crispy and soft textures, making them a true crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chocolate Custard Brioche Donuts are a delightful combination of two delicious elements: fluffy brioche dough and rich chocolate custard. The tender, buttery brioche is perfectly fried until golden brown, giving it a satisfying crunch on the outside while remaining soft and light on the inside. The chocolate custard filling adds a decadent, creamy touch that contrasts beautifully with the dough. This recipe brings together comfort, indulgence, and elegance in every bite, making it an ideal choice for anyone craving a treat that feels special. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you want to indulge in something extraordinary, these donuts will surely make a lasting impression.

Ingredients

For the Brioche Dough:

All-purpose flour
Sugar
Active dry yeast
Milk
Eggs
Butter

For the Filling:

Chocolate custard

For Frying:

Variations

Fruit-filled Donuts: Instead of chocolate custard, you can fill the donuts with other fillings like strawberry jam, vanilla custard, or lemon curd for a different twist.
Glazed Donuts: After frying, dip the donuts in a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk for an extra layer of sweetness.
Cinnamon Sugar Brioche Donuts: Roll the donuts in cinnamon sugar after frying for a spiced, sugary coating.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the dough

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and active dry yeast.

Step 2: Add warm milk

Warm the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop until it’s lukewarm (not hot). Add the warm milk to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until well combined.

Step 3: Add eggs and butter

Mix in the eggs and softened butter to the dough, stirring until it comes together. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Step 4: Let the dough rise

Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the donuts

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Use a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one large, one small) to cut out donut shapes.

Step 6: Add the custard filling

Place a spoonful of chocolate custard in the center of each donut, then pinch the edges of the dough together to seal the filling inside.

Step 7: Fry the donuts

In a deep fryer or large pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

Step 8: Drain and serve

Remove the donuts from the oil and drain them on paper towels. Serve them warm and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Let the dough rise properly: Ensure the dough rises in a warm environment so that it doubles in size. If your kitchen is cold, you can place the dough in an oven with the light on to provide warmth.
Don’t overfill the donuts: When adding the chocolate custard, make sure to leave enough room to pinch the dough closed around the filling. Too much custard can cause the dough to burst open during frying.
Frying oil temperature: Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature (350°F or 175°C) before frying. If the oil is too hot, the donuts may cook too quickly on the outside and remain raw inside.
Test the oil: Drop a small piece of dough into the oil before frying the donuts. If it sizzles and floats to the surface, the oil is ready for frying.

How to Serve

These Chocolate Custard Brioche Donuts are best served warm, straight out of the fryer. For an extra touch, dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with a chocolate glaze for a richer flavor. They’re perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat with coffee, or as a dessert after dinner. Serve them on a plate with a side of fresh fruit or whipped cream for a more indulgent experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover donuts, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, they are best enjoyed fresh, as they lose their crispy texture over time.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfilled, fried donuts for up to 1 month. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.

Reheating

To reheat filled donuts, it’s best to microwave them for about 15-20 seconds. However, be careful not to overheat them as the chocolate custard filling can become too runny.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different filling besides chocolate custard?

Yes, you can use fruit preserves, vanilla custard, or even Nutella as alternative fillings.

2. How do I make the chocolate custard?

You can make homemade chocolate custard by combining milk, eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch. Heat the mixture until thickened, then allow it to cool before using.

3. Can I make these donuts without yeast?

Yeast is essential for the brioche dough to rise and create the light, airy texture. A different type of dough may not give you the same result.

4. Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

For a healthier version, you can bake these donuts at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, though they may not be as crispy as fried donuts.

5. Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for these donuts, but you can experiment with bread flour for a chewier texture.

6. How can I prevent the donuts from absorbing too much oil?

Make sure the oil temperature stays steady at 350°F (175°C). If the temperature drops too low, the donuts will absorb more oil.

7. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the refrigerator to rise overnight.

8. How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?

Test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough into it. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.

9. Can I freeze the dough before frying?

Yes, you can freeze the shaped dough before frying. Let the dough thaw and rise before frying.

10. Can I add other fillings to the donuts?

You can experiment with fillings like raspberry jam, lemon curd, or vanilla cream for different variations.

Conclusion

Chocolate Custard Brioche Donuts are a delicious and indulgent treat that combines the best of two worlds: soft, buttery brioche and creamy, rich chocolate custard. Although the process takes time, the end result is well worth the effort. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply as a weekend treat, these donuts are sure to impress. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and decadent filling, they will become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.