Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts with Crunch

These Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts are a perfect combination of soft, fluffy donuts, a rich cheesecake filling, and a delicious crunch topping. With the sweet and tangy strawberry flavor, they make a fun and indulgent treat for any occasion!

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp strawberry puree (or strawberry jam)

For the Crunch Topping:

• 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp sugar

For the Strawberry Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp strawberry puree or strawberry jam
• 1-2 tsp milk (to thin, if needed)

Instructions

1. Make the Donuts:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or spray a donut pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Spoon the donut batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract, and beat until fluffy and well combined.
3. Gently fold in the strawberry puree (or jam). Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off.

3. Make the Crunch Topping:

1. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until the crumbs are well coated and the mixture is slightly wet.

4. Assemble the Donuts:

1. Once the donuts are completely cooled, use a small knife or a donut corer to create a hole in the center of each donut (don’t go all the way through the bottom).
2. Pipe the cheesecake filling into the center of each donut.
3. Dip the top of each filled donut into the graham cracker crunch topping, pressing slightly to ensure it sticks.

5. Make the Strawberry Glaze and Serve:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and strawberry puree (or jam). Add milk, 1 tsp at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency.
2. Drizzle the strawberry glaze over the top of each donut for a final touch.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can swirl in some extra strawberry jam or fresh diced strawberries into the cheesecake filling.
• If you prefer, you can fry the donuts instead of baking them for a different texture.
• These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

These Creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts with Crunch are a delightful and indulgent treat that combines the best of donuts and cheesecake in one delicious bite!