Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts: A Festive Fall Baking Delight 🥯🍁🎃
1. Introduction
Welcome to your ultimate guide to making Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts, a delicious and festive way to celebrate the fall season. If you love Fall Baking Recipes and incorporating seasonal flavors into your desserts, these Pumpkin Filled Donuts are perfect for your holiday table. With a soft, buttery brioche exterior filled with a rich pumpkin cheesecake filling, this Diy Dessert offers a delightful twist on traditional fall treats. Whether you’re hosting dinner or looking for a unique brunch idea, these Pumpkin Cheesecake Donuts will impress everyone. Let’s dive into the process of creating these seasonal favorites from scratch, incorporating the irresistible flavors of pumpkin and spice.
2. Ingredients for Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
- For the brioche dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the pumpkin cheesecake filling:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- For frying and finishing:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Granulated sugar (for coating)
3. Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
Preparation of the Brioche Dough
1. Activate the yeast: Warm the milk slightly and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer with a dough hook.
3. First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
4. Make the filling: Combine the softened cream cheese, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. Chill the filling until ready to pipe into the donuts.
Shape and Fill the Donuts
5. Punch down the dough: Once risen, punch the dough down and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two different-sized round cutters to cut out donut shapes.
6. Fill the donuts: Transfer the pumpkin cheesecake filling to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Carefully punch a small hole in each donut and pipe in the pumpkin filling. Seal the hole by gently pinching the dough closed.
Frying and Finishing
7. Heat the oil: In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
8. Fry the donuts: Fry the donuts in batches for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
9. Coat and serve: Toss the fried donuts in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar. For added flavor, drizzle with a caramel or pumpkin glaze. Serve warm and enjoy the rich taste of fall!
4. Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftover cruffins or donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their freshness and enjoy their delightful texture once more.
5. Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
These Pumpkin Filled Donuts are perfect for a festive breakfast, brunch, or dessert table. Pair them with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee or apple cider for an authentic fall experience. For extra indulgence, add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. They also make excellent party favors or middle-of-the-day treats during your Thanksgiving celebrations.
6. Additional Fall Baking Recipes to Complement Your Pumpkin Desserts
If you love strawberry cheesecake or cobbler-inspired treats, check out these recipes to expand your fall dessert repertoire. Try the peach cobbler egg rolls or the Korean ground beef bowl for a variety of seasonal flavors. For a satisfying breakfast option, explore our pancake sausage casserole.
7. FAQs About Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
What makes these pumpkin donuts special?
These Fall Baking Recipes combine the rich, buttery texture of brioche with a luscious pumpkin cheesecake filling, making them a unique and seasonal treat perfect for Thanksgiving.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and fry the donuts a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container and reheat in an oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Can I freeze the unfilled donuts?
Absolutely! Freeze the shaped, un-fried donuts on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Thaw before frying. The filled donuts are best enjoyed fresh for optimal taste and texture.
8. Final Thoughts on Making the Perfect Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
Creating these Pumpkin Cheesecake Donuts at home allows you to infuse your holiday table with a delectable, seasonal flavor that guests will love. With a little time and effort, you can serve up bakery-quality treats that evoke the flavors of fall — think pumpkin spice and cheesecake. Experiment with different toppings and fillings to make this festive dessert your own masterpiece. Happy baking!
9. Conclusion
When it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving with a special homemade dessert, these Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts are a must-try. Their rich, pumpkin-filled flavor combined with the lightness of brioche makes them an irresistible addition to your holiday feast. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe offers a fun, festive way to enjoy the cozy flavors of fall. Discover more inspiring recipes like our Cruffins or cheesecake-stuffed cookies to elevate your dessert game this season. Get baking and share the seasonal joy with friends and family!
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Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the fall season with these delightful Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts, featuring a soft, buttery brioche exterior filled with rich pumpkin cheesecake. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these festive donuts combine seasonal flavors with bakery-quality taste for a memorable holiday treat.
Ingredients
- For the brioche dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the pumpkin cheesecake filling:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- For frying and finishing:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Warm the milk slightly and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Make the filling: Combine cream cheese, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until smooth and refrigerate.
- Punch down the dough: Once risen, punch the dough down, roll it out to ½-inch thickness, and cut into donut shapes.
- Fill the donuts: Pipe pumpkin cheesecake filling into each donut through a small hole, then seal.
- Heat the oil: In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the donuts: Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Coat and serve: Toss donuts in sugar, drizzle with glaze if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature to prevent soggy donuts.
- Chill the pumpkin filling before piping for best consistency.
- Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220 Kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
