Crispy Caramel Donuts with a Melt-In-Your-Mouth Creamy Center

Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside Caramel Donuts

If you love a donut that crunches on the outside and melts in your mouth with a rich, creamy filling — this one’s for you. 

These 爆浆多拿滋 (bursting donuts) are coated in a thin layer of caramel that cracks beautifully with each bite, while the inside is pillowy soft and filled with a sweet, milky cream. 

 Perfect as a treat for yourself or to impress your friends — they look fancy, but are surprisingly easy to make!

Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside Caramel Donuts

✨ Why You’ll Love It:

• Crispy caramel glaze that shatters like sugar glass.
• Silky cream filling that oozes out with every bite.
• Soft, fluffy donut dough that’s satisfying but not overly heavy.

🍩 Ingredients

For the Donut Dough:

• 250g all-purpose flour
• 30g sugar
• 3g salt
• 5g instant yeast
• 1 egg
• 120ml warm milk
• 30g unsalted butter (softened)

For the Cream Filling:

• 200ml milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 30g sugar
• 10g cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50ml heavy cream (optional, for extra fluffiness)

For the Caramel Coating:

• 150g sugar
• 50ml water
• A few drops of lemon juice (to prevent crystallization)

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🍞 1. Make the Dough

1. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. Add the egg and warm milk. Knead until a sticky dough forms.
3. Add the softened butter and continue kneading until smooth and elastic (10–15 mins by hand or 8 mins in a stand mixer).
4. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

🔥 2. Shape & Fry

1. Punch down the dough and divide it into 6–8 pieces.
2. Shape each into a smooth ball and let them rest for 15 minutes.
3. Heat oil to 160–170°C (320–340°F). Fry donuts until golden brown on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Drain on a wire rack.

🍮 3. Make the Cream Filling

1. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan.
2. Slowly add milk and stir over medium heat until thickened.
3. Turn off the heat, add vanilla, and let cool completely.
4. Whip heavy cream (if using) and fold it into the cooled custard for extra creaminess.

🧁 4. Fill the Donuts

1. Once the donuts are cool, poke a hole in the side or bottom.
2. Pipe the cream filling generously into each donut until it feels slightly heavy.

🍯 5. Caramel Coating (Crunchy Layer)

Be quick — caramel hardens fast!

1. In a clean saucepan, heat sugar, water, and a few lemon juice drops until it turns golden amber.
2. Carefully dip the top (or whole) donut into the caramel using tongs or your fingers (with gloves).
3. Place on a wire rack and let the coating harden for a few minutes.

Tips for Success

1. Don't overheat your oil or the donuts will brown too quickly and be raw inside.
2. Make sure the caramel isn’t too dark — it should be golden, not burnt.
3. Wear gloves when handling hot caramel. It’s beautiful, but dangerously hot!

Q: Can I make the donuts ahead of time?

A: Totally! You can fry the donuts a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Just fill them and coat with caramel right before serving so they stay crispy and fresh.

Q: Do I need to use heavy cream for the filling?

A: Nope, it's optional! But adding whipped cream makes the custard extra light and fluffy—kind of like a bakery-style cream. Worth it if you’ve got some on hand!

Q: How do I stop the caramel from hardening too fast?

A: Caramel waits for no one! So make sure your donuts are ready to dip before the caramel hits that golden stage. A few drops of lemon juice help keep it smooth and less likely to crystallize.

Try it once, and you’ll be obsessed. This caramel-glazed, cream-filled donut is the ultimate dessert combo: crispy, soft, sweet, and luxurious in one bite.