Nutella Filled Baked Donuts Recipe

Who doesn’t love the rich, creamy taste of Nutella? When paired with the fluffy texture of freshly baked donuts, it becomes an irresistible treat. Nutella-filled baked donuts are the ultimate indulgence crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and filled with a delicious, gooey Nutella center. This dish is special because it takes the classic donut to a whole new level, with the added joy of a creamy, chocolate-hazelnut filling. In this article, you’ll learn how to make these mouthwatering donuts from scratch, customize them to suit your taste, and master the technique for baking perfect Nutella-filled donuts.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Nutella-filled baked donuts are everything you want in a sweet treat: light, fluffy, and filled with rich Nutella goodness. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Instead of deep-frying, these donuts are baked, making them a slightly healthier alternative without sacrificing the taste. The Nutella filling is smooth, decadent, and the perfect complement to the airy donut base. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert, these donuts will impress anyone who tastes them. They’re a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth, and they’re perfect for customizing with various toppings or fillings.

What makes this recipe so special is the homemade element. The texture of freshly baked donuts combined with the warm, melted Nutella inside is a match made in heaven. And, unlike store-bought filled donuts, you control the sweetness and quality of the filling, ensuring every bite is as delicious as it gets. You can also experiment by adding different flavors to the donut batter or drizzle the finished product with additional Nutella or powdered sugar for an extra indulgent treat.

Recipe Details

Nutella-filled baked donuts are made by creating a simple donut batter, which is then filled with Nutella before baking. The donut batter itself is light and slightly sweet, made from basic pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, milk, and eggs. The key to making this donut base soft and fluffy is in the mixing technique, which should be done carefully to avoid overworking the dough.

The Nutella filling is the star of this recipe. Nutella is known for its smooth texture and rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor, making it a perfect filling for donuts. The challenge lies in getting the Nutella into the donut without overfilling, as it can easily leak during baking if not sealed properly.

Once the donuts are baked, they are often topped with additional Nutella, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even sprinkles to add a decorative touch. The result is a decadent treat that’s sure to satisfy any craving for a sweet and comforting snack.

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. While Nutella is the star, you can experiment with other fillings such as peanut butter, fruit preserves, or chocolate ganache. The base recipe can also be customized by adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra layer of flavor. These donuts are perfect for any occasion and can be easily made in a single batch to share with friends and family.

Nutritional Information

Nutella-filled baked donuts are an indulgent treat, but like many baked goods, they can be enjoyed in moderation. A typical donut contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the size and ingredients used. The calories are primarily derived from the flour, sugar, eggs, and Nutella. While these donuts are sweet and rich, they provide some nutritional benefits from the ingredients, such as protein from the eggs and healthy fats from the Nutella.

If you’re looking to make these donuts a bit lighter, you can experiment with substitutions. For example, using reduced-fat Nutella, substituting some of the sugar with a natural sweetener like stevia, or using whole wheat flour can slightly reduce the calorie count. However, these donuts are meant to be a special treat, so they’re best enjoyed occasionally.

While indulgent, these donuts provide a good balance of carbs, protein, and fat, making them a filling breakfast or dessert option. The addition of hazelnuts in the Nutella also offers some antioxidants and healthy fats, making them a slightly more balanced treat than some other fried desserts.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

These ingredients come together to create the perfect donut base, soft and slightly sweet, with a gooey Nutella center. The cinnamon adds a hint of warmth, but it’s optional depending on your flavor preference. The Nutella filling adds richness and depth, turning an ordinary donut into a decadent treat.

Equipment Needed

To make Nutella-filled baked donuts, you will need:

• A donut pan (for baking the donuts)
• A mixing bowl (for preparing the donut batter)
• A whisk (for mixing the wet ingredients)
• A spoon or piping bag (for adding Nutella to the donuts)
• A cooling rack (for cooling the donuts)
• A small bowl or microwave-safe dish (for warming Nutella for drizzling)

The donut pan is essential for creating perfectly round, uniform donuts, and the cooling rack helps the donuts cool evenly after baking. A mixing bowl and whisk are used to combine the dry and wet ingredients for the batter, and a spoon or piping bag is helpful for injecting the Nutella filling into the donuts. Warming the Nutella before drizzling helps it spread evenly and gives the donuts a glossy finish.

Pro Tips For Success

1. Don’t Overmix the Batter: When mixing the donut batter, it’s important not to overmix. Overworking the dough can result in dense donuts. Mix until just combined to keep the batter light and airy.
2. Fill the Donut Pan Properly: When filling the donut pan, make sure not to overfill. Leave some space at the top of each donut cup to ensure they bake evenly. A good rule of thumb is to fill each cup about 2/3 full.
3. Seal the Nutella Filling Well: To avoid the Nutella from leaking during baking, be sure to gently press the edges of the donut batter over the filling to seal it. If the filling is exposed, it can run out, affecting the final product.
4. Check for Doneness: Donuts bake quickly, typically in 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the side of a donut (not directly into the Nutella filling). If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
5. Let Donuts Cool Before Filling: Allow the donuts to cool slightly before filling them with Nutella. If the donuts are too hot, the Nutella may melt too quickly and make the filling too runny.

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or use a non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the Donut Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter, and vegetable oil. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
3. Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the side of a donut comes out clean.
4. Cool the Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
5. Fill with Nutella: Once the donuts have cooled slightly, use a piping bag or a spoon to gently inject Nutella into the center of each donut. Be careful not to overfill.
6. Drizzle and Serve: Warm the remaining Nutella in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-15 seconds and drizzle it over the top of each donut. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve the donuts immediately while they’re still soft and warm.

Recipe Variations

1. Chocolate Nutella Donuts: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the donut batter for a chocolatey twist. The combination of chocolate and Nutella will create a rich, indulgent donut.
2. Peanut Butter Nutella Donuts: Add a spoonful of peanut butter to the Nutella filling for a sweet and salty contrast. The peanut butter complements the hazelnut flavor perfectly.
3. Fruit-Filled Donuts: Swap the Nutella for fruit preserves like strawberry or raspberry. The fruit filling offers a refreshing, slightly tart contrast to the sweet donut base.
4. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Instead of drizzling Nutella on top, coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar for a simpler, yet equally delicious, finish.

Storage Instructions

Nutella-filled baked donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place the donuts in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. If you want to freeze them, wrap each donut in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

These donuts are delicious on their own, but they can be paired with a variety of sides to make a complete meal. Serve them with a hot cup of coffee, a glass of milk, or fresh fruit to balance out the sweetness. They are also perfect for serving at a brunch, along with other breakfast items like scrambled eggs or fresh pastries.

FAQs

1. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
   Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these donuts gluten-free.
2. Can I use a different filling?
   Absolutely! You can fill the donuts with fruit preserves, peanut butter, chocolate ganache, or even cream cheese for a different flavor.
3. How do I make sure the Nutella doesn’t leak?
   Be sure to seal the donut batter tightly around the Nutella filling. If necessary, press the edges gently to ensure the filling is enclosed.
4. Can I bake these donuts ahead of time?
   Yes, you can prepare the donuts ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Warm them up before serving to retain their soft texture.
5. How do I make the Nutella filling thicker?
   If you prefer a thicker Nutella filling, simply refrigerate the Nutella for 30 minutes before using it to fill the donuts.

Conclusion

Nutella-filled baked donuts are a perfect treat for any occasion. They are soft, sweet, and filled with creamy Nutella, making them an irresistible indulgence. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert, these donuts are sure to delight. Try the recipe today and discover how easy it is to make a delicious batch of homemade Nutella-filled donuts.

Print