If you’re a fan of Boston cream donuts, you know how satisfying it is to bite into the soft, fluffy dough filled with rich, creamy custard and topped with a decadent chocolate glaze. While store-bought Boston cream donuts are delicious, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making them from scratch in your own kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create a batch of homemade Boston cream donuts that will rival those from your favorite bakery.

To make homemade Boston cream donuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the donuts:
– 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup granulated sugar
– 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large egg yolks
– ¾ cup warm milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the custard filling:
– 1 cup whole milk
– 3 large egg yolks
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the chocolate glaze:
– 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
– ½ cup heavy cream
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To begin, start by making the dough for the donuts. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, egg yolks, warm milk, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, you can prepare the custard filling. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it is just simmering. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a ½-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a drinking glass, cut the dough into rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the donuts with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.

While the donuts are rising, you can prepare the chocolate glaze. In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and set the glaze aside to cool slightly.

Once the donuts have finished rising, heat a few inches of oil in a large pot to 350°F. Carefully fry the donuts, a few at a time, for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.

Once the donuts have cooled, it’s time to assemble them. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice each donut in half horizontally. Spoon the chilled custard into a piping bag fitted with a round tip, and pipe the custard into the center of each donut. Spread the chocolate glaze over the top of each donut and let it set for a few minutes before serving.

Homemade Boston cream donuts are best enjoyed fresh, so be sure to share them with friends and family right away. With their pillowy soft dough, luscious custard filling, and rich chocolate glaze, these homemade Boston cream donuts are sure to become a new favorite in your household. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the sweet satisfaction of mastering a classic bakery treat in your own kitchen.