If you have a sweet tooth and a fondness for bite-sized treats, then this Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine fluffy, golden donut holes infused with a creamy cheesecake center, all kissed by a vibrant strawberry glaze that bursts with fresh fruit flavor. These delightful little rounds capture the perfect balance of tender dough, tangy richness, and juicy sweetness in every single bite. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend baking project or a crowd-pleasing dessert to impress friends, this recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe plays an essential role, from the fluffy structure of the dough to the creamy filling and vibrant glaze. The simplicity of these ingredients makes this recipe approachable while delivering incredible flavors and textures that will wow your taste buds.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups – provides the perfect structure and tenderness for the donut holes.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup – adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.
- Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons – gives the donut holes that wonderful puff and lightness.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon – balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Whole Milk: 3/4 cup – keeps the dough moist and tender.
- Egg: 1 large – acts as a binder and enriches the dough’s flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted – adds richness and moisture to the dough.
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened – the creamy heart of the cheesecake filling.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup – sweetens the cheesecake filling to perfection.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon – enhances the flavor of both dough and filling.
- Fresh Strawberries: 1 cup, chopped – provides fresh fruity flavor for the glaze.
- Strawberry Jam: 2 tablespoons – boosts the strawberry taste in the glaze.
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon – adds a burst of brightness to balance the sweetness.
- Oil for Frying: As needed – use a neutral oil like canola for frying the donut holes crisp and golden.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Frying Oil
First up, heat your oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Monitoring the temperature is key here because the right heat ensures your donut holes cook quickly and evenly, resulting in that coveted golden-brown crust and a fluffy interior.
Step 2: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt—the backbone of your donut dough. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing well. Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender and light.
Step 3: Fry the Donut Holes
Using a small scoop or spoon, carefully drop rounded spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil in batches. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally so each side becomes beautifully golden. This frying step is where the magic happens: crisp on the outside, soft and airy inside.
Step 4: Drain and Cool
Once perfectly golden, transfer the donut holes to a cooling rack set over a sheet pan to drain excess oil. This prevents sogginess and keeps them delightfully crisp on the outside while they cool slightly before filling.
Step 5: Make and Fill the Cheesecake Center
While the donut holes cool, whip together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Carefully poke a hole in each donut hole with a toothpick or small skewer, and then pipe in the cheesecake filling. This luscious surprise inside every bite is what truly sets this Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe apart.
Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Strawberry Glaze
For the glaze, gently cook chopped strawberries, strawberry jam, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat until the strawberries soften. Blend the mixture until smooth and strain to remove seeds. Dip each filled donut hole into the shiny glaze, giving them a fruit-forward finish that is as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve these lovely treats warm or at room temperature. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds an elegant touch and just the right hint of extra sweetness. Now get ready to swoon with every bite of this perfectly balanced Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe.
How to Serve Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe
Garnishes
Adding simple garnishes can elevate your presentation and flavor. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the donut holes for a snow-kissed look, or add thin slices of fresh strawberries on the side for a burst of color and freshness that complements the glaze beautifully.
Side Dishes
These donut holes are undeniably delicious on their own, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream turns them into a decadent dessert experience. For a morning treat, serve alongside freshly brewed coffee or a fruity smoothie for a fun contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe pop visually by stacking them on a rustic wooden board or a festive cake stand. For parties, place each donut hole in a decorative mini cupcake liner and drizzle with extra glaze to impress guests. You can even thread them onto skewers for a playful dessert kabob that’s perfect for sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep the cheesecake filling fresh and the glaze intact, avoid refrigerating unless your kitchen is warm, in which case a short fridge stay is okay but best consumed soon after.
Freezing
Donut holes freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or gently warm up.
Reheating
To bring back that just-fried softness, reheat donut holes in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out, and refresh with a quick drizzle of strawberry glaze if needed for the best taste.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the glaze?
Yes, frozen strawberries work well if fresh ones are out of season. Just thaw and drain them before cooking to prevent excess liquid from diluting the glaze.
Is it possible to bake these donut holes instead of frying?
While this recipe is designed for frying to achieve that golden crispiness, you can bake the dough balls at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, though the texture will be slightly different—less crispy and more cake-like.
How do I fill the donut holes if I don’t have a piping bag?
No problem! You can use a plastic sandwich bag with a small corner cut off or even gently spoon in the filling with a toothpick or skewer poked in one side.
Can I substitute cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative?
Absolutely! Choose a soft non-dairy cream cheese made from almond or cashew bases. Keep in mind, the flavor and texture might be a bit different but still delicious.
What type of oil is best for frying donut holes?
A neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil is ideal to get that perfect golden crust without overpowering the flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe is one of those magical treats that feels like a special indulgence every time you make it. With fluffy, rich dough, luscious cheesecake filling, and a fresh strawberry glaze, it’s a celebration of flavors and textures in miniature form. Once you try making them yourself, I’m sure you’ll keep coming back for more—enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 donut holes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these irresistible Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes, featuring a tender fried dough exterior filled with creamy cheesecake and topped with a vibrant strawberry glaze. Perfectly golden and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, this recipe combines the best of classic donuts and luscious cheesecake in bite-sized form.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 cup Whole Milk
- 1 large Egg
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Strawberry Glaze
- 1 cup Fresh Strawberries, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Strawberry Jam
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Additional
- Oil for Frying (neutral oil such as canola)
- Powdered Sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring enough depth to fully submerge the donut holes for even frying.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the whole milk, egg, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir just until incorporated to avoid overmixing and ensure tender donuts.
- Fry the donut holes: Using a small scoop or spoon, carefully drop rounded portions of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon for even browning. Fry each batch until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
- Drain and cool: Remove donut holes from the oil and place them on a cooling rack to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly to handle safely for filling.
- Make the cheesecake filling: While the donut holes cool, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy, forming the cheesecake filling.
- Fill the donut holes: Once the donut holes are warm but not hot, poke a small hole into each and pipe in the cheesecake filling generously using a piping bag or a small spoon.
- Prepare the strawberry glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and lemon juice. Cook until the strawberries are soft and the mixture is bubbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat, puree the mixture with a blender or food processor, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Dip each filled donut hole into the strawberry glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Arrange on a serving plate and dust lightly with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use neutral oil like canola for frying to avoid overpowering flavors.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep donut holes light and fluffy.
- Make sure oil is at correct temperature; too hot will burn outside and leave inside doughy, too cool will absorb excess oil.
- The filling can be piped with a pastry bag or improvised with a zip-top bag with a corner cut off.
- For a smoother glaze, strain the strawberry mixture carefully.
- These donut holes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
