Milky doughnuts are soft, fluffy, and filled with a creamy milk custard that makes every bite melt in your mouth. Unlike regular jam-filled or glazed doughnuts, these are rich with a smooth and velvety filling that balances sweetness with a comforting dairy flavor. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an indulgent afternoon snack, this recipe brings bakery-style doughnuts right into your own kitchen.
Making milky doughnuts requires a little patience since both the dough and custard filling need time to prepare, but the results are worth every step. The dough is enriched with butter, egg, and warm milk to give it a tender texture, while the custard is made from scratch with fresh milk, egg yolks, and vanilla. Once fried to golden perfection and filled, the doughnuts are finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic touch.
This recipe creates a generous batch, so they’re wonderful for sharing with family or friends. Whether you’re new to baking or an experienced cook, you’ll find the process straightforward and rewarding. Let’s go step by step.
Ingredients
For the dough:
3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
2 ¼ tsp (7g) instant yeast
1 cup (240ml) warm milk
3 tbsp (40g) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
½ tsp salt
For frying:
Oil for deep frying
For the milk custard filling:
2 cups (500ml) whole milk
4 tbsp (50g) sugar
3 tbsp (30g) cornstarch
2 large egg yolks
2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
For dusting:
Powdered sugar
Instructions
Start by preparing the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, egg, and softened butter. Mix everything together until the dough begins to form. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes. If using a stand mixer, let it knead on medium speed until the dough becomes supple and slightly springy to the touch. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise until doubled in size, usually about one hour.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out to about one inch thickness. Using a round cutter, cut out circles and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Cover lightly and allow them to rise again for 30 to 40 minutes, until puffy. This second rise is important for getting the airy texture that makes doughnuts so light.
While the dough is resting, prepare the milk custard filling. Heat the milk in a saucepan until it is just warm but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour the warm milk into this mixture while whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens. Once it reaches a creamy consistency, remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Allow the custard to cool completely before using. It will thicken further as it cools.
Next, fry the doughnuts. Heat oil in a deep pan to around 170–175°C (340°F). Carefully lower the risen dough rounds into the hot oil, frying a few at a time to avoid overcrowding. Cook each doughnut until golden brown on one side, then flip and fry the other side. The process should only take a few minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly before filling.
To assemble, fill a piping bag with the cooled custard. Use a small knife or skewer to make a hole in the side of each doughnut, then insert the piping bag and fill until the doughnut feels slightly heavy with custard. Repeat for all doughnuts. Finally, dust them generously with powdered sugar for a light, sweet finish.
Serving these doughnuts fresh is the best way to enjoy them. The combination of warm, fluffy dough with cool, creamy filling is irresistible. If you’d like to prepare ahead, you can make the custard a day in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use. The dough, however, is best made fresh on the day you plan to serve.
Milky doughnuts are a wonderful treat for special occasions, family gatherings, or simply when you want to enjoy something homemade and comforting. The delicate sweetness of the custard paired with the light dough makes them stand out from regular filled doughnuts. They can be enjoyed with coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk for the ultimate pairing.
Once you try this recipe, you may find it becoming a favorite in your household. The balance of textures and flavors makes it a memorable dessert, and the joy of making them from scratch adds to the satisfaction. Whether enjoyed warm right after frying or slightly cooled with a chilled custard center, these doughnuts deliver pure comfort in every bite.