Delightful Dairy-Free Strawberry Heart Donuts: A Homemade Fried Treat
Prepare to fall in love with these irresistibly puffy and golden deep-fried donuts, designed to be completely dairy-free! Featuring a delightful strawberry glaze and an optional strawberry mousse filling, these heart-shaped delights are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a special anniversary, or simply craving a sweet, fruity treat, this recipe offers a delicious and accessible option for everyone.
My passion for creating the perfect dairy-free donut led me on quite a journey with these strawberry heart-shaped marvels. Over the past week, I’ve meticulously tested this recipe three separate times, ensuring that every bite delivers an unparalleled experience. It wasn’t just a casual bake; it was a dedicated mission to achieve absolute perfection for you, my beloved readers. And the best part? By making a simple swap of water or a non-dairy milk substitute for regular milk in the glaze, these fluffy treats transform into genuinely dairy-free donuts that everyone can enjoy!
This journey began by revisiting and adapting my popular sufganiyah/jelly donut recipe from last year. I envisioned transforming those classic, airy donuts into something truly special – a heart-shaped ode to strawberries. The goal was to infuse them with a fresh, vibrant strawberry flavor without compromising the signature light and tender texture of a perfectly fried donut. This particular adaptation aimed to create a versatile base that could be enjoyed plain, glazed, or filled, catering to various preferences and dietary needs.
My initial attempt involved what I thought was a stroke of genius: incorporating finely ground freeze-dried strawberries directly into the donut dough. “How clever!” I mused. However, the reality quickly dashed my culinary dreams. After frying these delicate hearts and rolling them in cinnamon sugar, I took a triumphant bite, only to be met with an unexpectedly sour and unappealing taste. The vibrant strawberry flavor I had hoped for was lost, replaced by an odd tanginess. It turned out that the interaction between the yeast and the acidic freeze-dried strawberries created an undesirable chemical reaction, resulting in a flavor profile that was far from what I intended.
Even my ever-supportive Dad, who sampled them that weekend, offered a hilariously diplomatic critique. He said, “The first bite is phenomenal… if you know what you’re getting.” Bless his heart, but it was clear these donuts needed a serious re-evaluation. His feedback, though kindly delivered, confirmed my suspicion: back to the drawing board for these strawberry heart donuts! This experience taught me a valuable lesson about the delicate balance of ingredients in yeast-based recipes and reinforced the importance of thorough testing.
Crafting the Perfect Donut Filling and Glaze
Learning from my initial trial, I shifted strategies. Instead of attempting to infuse the dough with strawberry flavor directly, I opted for a plain, classic donut dough base. This allowed the natural, sweet flavor of the fried dough to shine through. The freeze-dried strawberries found their perfect home in the glaze, where their concentrated flavor could truly pop without interfering with the yeast’s magic. To amp up the strawberry goodness even further, I decided to fill these puffy delights with a luscious strawberry jam, creating an explosion of berry flavor with every mouthful.
While the strawberry jam filling provides an incredible burst of fruitiness, these dairy-free donuts are incredibly versatile. You can go the extra mile and drench them in the vibrant strawberry glaze for an added layer of sweetness and a beautiful pink hue – a choice I highly recommend for an ultimate strawberry experience. Alternatively, for those who appreciate simplicity, these donuts are equally delicious when left plain and unstuffed, perhaps dusted with a little powdered sugar. Seriously, you can’t go wrong no matter how you choose to enjoy them!
After the third and final round of testing, I can now wholeheartedly agree with my Dad (with no caveats this time!) that every single bite of these dairy-free strawberry heart donuts is absolutely PHENOMENAL. The texture is light and airy, the flavor is perfectly balanced, and the combination of the tender dough with the sweet strawberry notes is simply divine.
Essential Ingredients for Your Dairy-Free Donuts
Creating these delightful dairy-free donuts involves a combination of classic baking staples and a few star ingredients to bring out that amazing strawberry flavor. The donut dough itself is crafted from simple, reliable components: all-purpose flour for structure, active yeast for that essential fluffy rise, warm water to activate the yeast, a touch of granulated sugar for sweetness and to feed the yeast, vegetable oil for moisture and tenderness, and eggs to enrich the dough. These ingredients work in harmony to produce a light, airy, and perfectly fried base.
While the original recipe for the strawberry mousse filling includes dairy elements like cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream, we’re focusing on the readily available and equally delicious strawberry jam for our dairy-free version. This simplifies the process and ensures a wonderfully fruity interior without compromising on flavor or texture. For those who choose to include dairy, the mousse recipe adds a rich, creamy contrast to the fried donut, but for a truly dairy-free experience, a high-quality strawberry jam is an excellent and convenient choice.
The optional yet highly recommended strawberry glaze is a simple and quick concoction. It combines confectioners’ sugar for smooth sweetness, crushed freeze-dried strawberries for an intense, natural berry flavor and a beautiful pink hue, and a tiny amount of milk (or, crucially, water or non-dairy milk for the dairy-free version) to achieve the perfect pourable consistency. This glaze adds a wonderful finishing touch, both in taste and appearance, making these donuts even more enticing.
Effortlessly Making These Donuts Dairy-Free
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. To transform these delightful heart-shaped donuts into a completely dairy-free treat, a few simple adjustments are all that’s needed. First and foremost, you’ll need to omit the strawberry mousse filling, as it contains dairy products. But don’t worry, the flavor experience won’t be diminished! Instead, you can choose to fill them with a delicious store-bought strawberry jam, or simply enjoy the plain fried donut.
For the strawberry glaze, the adjustment is equally straightforward: substitute the small amount of regular milk with an equal quantity of non-dairy milk (such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk) or even just water. This ensures the glaze maintains its beautiful sheen and sweet flavor without any dairy. The donut dough itself is inherently dairy-free, making it an excellent base for this adaptation.
I genuinely adore the rich, creamy texture of the strawberry mousse filling, but the dairy-free donut dough alone is so incredibly flavorful and light that it makes for fantastic deep-fried donuts as is. The filling, while a wonderful addition, isn’t strictly necessary for a delicious result. However, if you choose to skip the filling, I highly recommend elevating your plain dairy-free donuts with a generous dusting of powdered sugar or, even better, by coating them in our homemade strawberry glaze. This ensures your donuts have that extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal, preventing them from being “a little plain” and truly making them shine.
Mastering Homemade Donuts from Scratch
The idea of making homemade donuts from scratch might seem daunting, but it’s actually a surprisingly easy and rewarding process that simply requires a little tender loving care. The journey begins with preparing the dairy-free donut dough, which is a straightforward task. Once mixed, the dough needs its first crucial rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour. This allows the yeast to work its magic, developing flavor and that signature airy texture.
After the first rise, gently punch down the dough to release the accumulated gases. Then, roll it out evenly to the specified thickness. This is where the fun begins, especially with the heart shape! Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to carefully cut out your individual donut portions. Arrange these sweet little hearts on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, ensuring enough space between them for their second rise. This second proofing is vital for achieving ultimate puffiness. Once they’ve risen a second time, they’re ready for their golden transformation. Carefully deep-fry the donuts in hot oil until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown color on all sides, turning them gently to ensure even cooking.
Once your dairy-free donuts are perfectly fried and drained of any excess oil, it’s time for the finishing touches. Prepare your strawberry jam for filling and mix up the vibrant strawberry glaze, if you plan to use them. For filled donuts, create a small hole using a straw or a piping tip, then inject a burst of strawberry jam. Finish by spooning a little glaze over the top, letting it cascade down the sides, and then, the best part: eat and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
Can I Prepare These Donuts in Advance?
Planning ahead for gatherings is always smart, especially when it comes to homemade treats. If you’re hoping to serve these charming heart-shaped donuts to visiting friends or family, I recommend starting on the dairy-free donut dough ahead of time. You can prepare the dough, let it complete its first rise, and even punch it down and cut out the shapes. However, for the absolute best taste and texture, it’s crucial to wait to deep-fry the donuts until your guests have arrived or are just about to.
Donuts, particularly fried ones, are at their peak freshness and deliciousness straight from the fryer. Their light, airy texture and warm, sweet aroma are unparalleled when consumed almost immediately after cooking. Unfortunately, they don’t store well for extended periods; their delicate texture can become dense or greasy over time. So, to ensure every bite is as phenomenal as intended, try not to make these strawberry donuts too far in advance. A little bit of fresh frying time is all it takes to impress!
Exploring Different Donut Shapes
While heart shapes add a wonderful touch for special occasions, these dairy-free donuts are incredibly adaptable to any shape you desire! Don’t feel limited to cookie cutters. If you don’t have any on hand, or simply prefer a more rustic look, you can easily cut the rolled-out dough into squares or rectangles using a knife. This simple method will yield charming, rustic donuts that resemble copycat beignets – perfect for dusting with powdered sugar and serving with a hot cup of coffee!
One important consideration when varying the shape or size is that the frying time may need adjustment. Smaller or thinner donuts will cook more quickly, while larger or thicker ones will require a longer fry. The key is to watch them carefully as they cook. Your visual cue for doneness should always be a beautiful, even golden-brown color on all sides. This ensures they are cooked through and have that delightful crisp exterior and soft interior, regardless of their shape.
Top Tips for Perfect Homemade Donuts
- Testing Oil Temperature Without a Thermometer: Achieving the right oil temperature is crucial for perfectly fried donuts. If your oil is too cool, the donuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, they’ll brown too quickly on the outside, leaving the inside raw. While a thermometer is ideal (aim for 350°F / 175°C), you can test the oil’s readiness by heating it on medium for a few minutes. Then, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil. If tiny bubbles immediately form and actively stream around the handle, your oil is ready. Alternatively, drop a small piece of scrap dough into the oil; it should sizzle and float to the top within a few seconds.
- Creative Shaping: Feel free to use any shape of cookie cutter you prefer! Round, square, star, or even mini donuts can be made with this versatile dough. Just remember to adjust frying times accordingly.
- The Power of Kosher Salt: Do not omit the kosher salt from the donut dough. While it might seem counter-intuitive in a sweet recipe, salt is an essential flavor enhancer. It doesn’t make the donuts taste salty; instead, it balances the sweetness and brings out the richer, deeper flavors of the other ingredients, leading to a much more complex and satisfying taste.
- Baking Powder’s Role: You might notice both yeast and baking powder in this recipe. This isn’t a mistake! While yeast provides the primary leavening for that classic airy structure, a small amount of baking powder contributes to an even fluffier, more tender crumb, giving these donuts an extra lift and lightness.
Craving More Delicious Pastry Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed making these delightful dairy-free donuts, you’re in for a treat with our other fantastic pastry creations. We love exploring a wide range of sweet baked goods, ensuring there’s something for every palate and dietary preference. Expand your baking repertoire with some of these highly-rated recipes:
- Zesty Blueberry Lemon Scones: A perfect combination of sweet blueberries and bright lemon in a tender scone.
- Decadent Raspberry Cheese Babka Swirl: Layers of rich brioche dough swirled with sweet raspberry and creamy cheese.
- Classic Cherry Muffins: Fluffy muffins bursting with juicy cherries, a timeless breakfast or snack.
- The Ultimate Cookie Butter Babka: An incredibly indulgent babka filled with a luscious cookie butter swirl.
- Easy Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Muffins: Moist and flavorful chocolate chip muffins, perfect for those avoiding dairy.
Strawberry Heart Dairy-Free Donuts
Pin
Review
SaveSaved!
Ingredients
For the donuts
- 1 1/2 cups water, warm, not boiling
- 5 tsp instant yeast, 2 packages rapid or active drive yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, large
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for frying
- 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
For the filling
- strawberry or raspberry jam, store bought (ensure dairy-free if applicable)
For the strawberry glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries, crushed
- 2-3 tsp milk or non-dairy milk/water
Instructions
Make the donuts
-
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the 1 1/2 cups warm water with the 5 tsp yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active. Once frothed, add the 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 2 large eggs, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil to the bowl. Mix these wet ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and homogenous.
-
Gradually add the 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 2 tsp kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Begin to knead the dough, either by hand or using the dough hook attachment on a stand mixer, on medium speed for about 5 minutes. Continue kneading until a soft, elastic, and non-sticky dough forms. You’ll know the dough is ready when it effortlessly pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl or when it no longer adheres to your lightly floured rolling surface. If the dough remains too sticky during mixing, incorporate additional flour, a quarter cup at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
-
Lightly grease a large clean bowl with vegetable oil or non-stick cooking spray (like Pam). Transfer the prepared dough into this bowl, turning it once to coat lightly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a warm, draft-free area to rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. Once risen, gently remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Punch the dough down to release the air, then roll it out evenly into a rectangle approximately 3/4 of an inch in thickness.
-
Using a 2-3 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut out individual donut hearts from the rolled dough. As you cut them, gently transfer the heart shapes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring there is some space between each donut to allow for expansion. Gather any dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out more hearts until all the dough is used. Once all hearts are cut, cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel and let the donuts rise for a second time, for another 45 minutes to an hour, or until visibly puffy.
-
Prepare for frying: Fill a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot with vegetable oil, ensuring the oil is about 3-4 inches high. Heat the oil to precisely 350°F (175°C). It is highly recommended to use a candy or deep-fry thermometer for accuracy. Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, carefully place 2-3 donuts into the hot oil at a time, avoiding overcrowding. Fry the donuts for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they achieve a beautiful, even golden brown color. Using a slotted spoon or spider, carefully remove the fried donuts from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Repeat with the remaining donuts.
Make the glaze
-
In a small mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup confectioners’ sugar with 1/2 cup finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Begin by adding 2 teaspoons of milk (or water/non-dairy milk for dairy-free). Mix thoroughly until a smooth, runny glaze forms. If the glaze appears too thick, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of liquid at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve your desired pourable consistency. Conversely, if the glaze turns out too runny, add 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar at a time and mix until it thickens appropriately.
Assemble!
-
If you are filling your donuts with jam, carefully prepare your piping bag or a small zip-top bag by snipping off a tiny corner. Using a straw or a thin piping tip, gently create a small hole in the top-middle part of each heart donut. Insert the tip of your piping bag into the hole and squeeze a desired amount of strawberry jam into the donut until it feels adequately filled. After filling, you can dip the top of the donut into the prepared strawberry glaze or simply drizzle it over. Place the finished donuts aside on a cooling rack or serving platter. Repeat this process for all desired donuts, or choose to leave some plain and unfurled, simply glazed or dusted with powdered sugar. Rest assured, they are absolutely delicious either way!
Notes
Yes, this recipe incorporates baking powder in addition to yeast. The baking powder contributes to the overall fluffiness and tender crumb of the donuts, ensuring a lighter texture.