How to Make Bakery-Style Brioche Donuts filled with Luscious Lemon Cream

Featuring golden fried brioche glistening with a shimmering coat of sugar, a burst of zesty lemon curd, cloud-like whipped cream, and the delicate sparkle of candied lemon peel, this Lemon Donut recipe is a true breakfast revelation. Inspired by flavor pairings I’ve loved working with in pastry kitchens, each bite strikes the perfect balance of bright, creamy, and indulgent.

Whether you’re hosting a slow brunch with friends or surprising a coworker with a treat they’ll never forget, these lemon-filled donuts are guaranteed to brighten any morning.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a golden-brown, delicately fried brioche donut, each bite yielding to a perfect contrast of textures. As your teeth break through the sugary outer layer, a rush of citrusy ecstasy washes over you. The dreamy lemon curd and whipped cream mixture hidden within melds seamlessly with the tender, airy crumb, creating a cheerful balance of sweet and tangy notes.

Adorning each lemon filled donut are glistening shards of candied lemon, a vibrant jewel-like garnish that not only adds a touch of visual enchantment but also elevates the flavor profile, infusing each bite with a delightful crunch and an extra burst of citrusy goodness.

So, are you ready to embark on a journey of lemony euphoria? It's time to roll up your sleeves and bring a little sunshine to the kitchen with my delectable lemon-filled donut recipe. 🌞🍋🍩

Try making creme brulee donuts, vanilla custard donuts or coconut donuts if you're looking for more delicious doughnut recipes!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Lemon Donut Recipe 

Still not sure if these lemon curd donuts are right for you? Aside from being one of the cheeriest ways to start the day, they’re also:

• Tender-Crumbed & Creamy - If you’ve ever enjoyed a pillowy slice of brioche, you know just how marvelously soft and tender it can be. Now add a layer of flavor from frying, an extra hit of sweetness from a dress of sparkling sugar, the tartness of lemon curd, and the fluffiness of whipped cream. BOOM. That’s what you can expect from each lemon-filled doughnut. 🤤 
• Light & Bright -  Despite being richly creamy and oh-so-decadent, these lemon-filled doughnuts embody the bright essence of a lazy sunlit morning, kissed by citrusy notes and wrapped in layers of soft, pillowy dough. 
• Made With Only 12 Ingredients - While they might taste like they’re filled with an ambrosia made from pure sunshine, I can assure you — these ingredients are all easily accessible.

🍴Ingredients 

As promised, you only need a few simple ingredients to make these lemon cream-filled donuts:

• Warm Water - “Warm” is the operative word here. Yeast is like Goldilocks — it doesn’t want the water too hot or too cold, rather just warm to the touch. If possible, use filtered water.
• Granulated Sugar - Plain white sugar has a neutral pH and a neutral flavor profile that works well in the yeasted dough. You can swap in organic cane sugar if you prefer, but don’t use brown sugar — it has too much liquid.
• Active Dry Yeast - While the packets are undeniably convenient, if you bake a lot, consider buying the yeast in bulk and keeping it tucked in your freezer. It’ll last long beyond the expiration date if you keep it extra chilly!
• Lemon Zest & Juice - Fresh lemon is essential to getting the brightest flavor. To get the most from your fruit, roll it on the countertop first, wash and dry it, zest it (being sure to only grab the bright yellow zest), and finally juice it.
• Large Eggs - Let them come to room temperature (or soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes) to make them easier to mix into the dough and easier to warm for the curd.
• Unsalted Butter + Salt - A touch of seasoning helps sweet things taste even sweeter, but I like the ability to control exactly how much salt goes in my bakes. If you only have salted butter, omit or reduce the amount of salt you add.

• Heavy Whipping Cream - Regular whipping cream will also work if it has a minimum of 30% milkfat. Just make sure it’s super cold in order to achieve billowy peaks of perfection!
• Candied Lemon - Optional, but lovely for garnish.

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

While I love these lemon doughnuts just the way the recipe is written, that shouldn’t stop you from making tweaks to make them exactly the way you like. Here are a few fun variations and dietary adaptations to consider:

• Dairy-Free - Swap in your favorite vegan whipping cream and butter. Alternatively, feel free to fill the lemon doughnuts with pure lemon curd instead of lemon cream. The lemony flavor will be more pronounced in lemon curd doughnuts, but it’ll be delectable.
• Other Citrus - Instead of conventional lemon, try using Meyer lemons. You can also make lime cream-filled donuts if you prefer!
• Lemon Glazed Donuts - Add an extra layer of citrusy goodness with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and enough lemon juice to get a viscous consistency - fill with pastry cream if desired!

🛠️ Recommended Equipment 

• Donut Essentials: A donut pan, donut cutter or doughnut pan is crucial for those wanting a baked lemon donut, but since we're making fried donuts, some hot oil will get you that sweet donut fix. Don't forget cooking spray or parchment paper to ensure easy release into the oil!
• Mixing Bowls: A large mixing bowl is needed for combining dry ingredients like baking powder and regular granulated sugar, while a medium bowl or small bowl should be set aside for mixing wet ingredients—think fresh lemon zest, lemon extract, and egg yolks for that bright lemon flavor.
• Finishing Touches: Once your homemade lemon donuts are golden, let them cool on a wire rack lined with paper towels.

📖 How to Make Lemon-Filled Donuts: Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you get too intimidated by these lengthy instructions, remember that the work of making Lemon cream-filled brioche donuts is broken up over the course of 2 days. Here’s how it’s done:

Make Brioche Donuts

Step 1: Knead Dough. Mix together ingredients and knead, before adding salt and room temperature butter one tablespoon at a time.

Step 2: Continue kneading with the dough hook for another 5-8 minutes until the dough looks smooth and glossy and check for the window pane test.

Step 3: Shape & second rise. After the dough has rested overnight, it’s time to start shaping! Divide your dough using a sharp knife or a bench scraper into even pieces.

Step 4: Let the dough sit undisturbed in a warm spot to proof until they have doubled in size for about 1.5 -2 hours.

Step 5: Fry time! Fry the doughnut for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown before removing from the oil with a slotted spoon and placing on a cooling rack.

Step 6: Coat in Sugar: Place your fried doughnuts in a wide, small bowl filled with sugar. Roll freshly fried doughnuts in sugar before setting aside to cool on a wire rack.

Make Lemon Cream Filling

Step 1: Make Lemon Curd. Hop on over to my post to learn all the tips & tricks for making the perfect sweet, tart, and velvety homemade curd.

Step 2: Make Cream Filling. Whip heavy cream until you've reached soft peaks, then fold gently into your chilled lemon fruit curd.

Fill Doughnuts

Fill the center of the lemon donut until it feels heavy. Add a slice of candied lemons as garnish & repeat with the remaining donuts. Enjoy!

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips/Expert baking tips

By following these expert tips, you'll be well on your way to crafting Lemon Donuts that are not only delicious but also a culinary masterpiece to be proud of:

• Fry the donuts in batches, ensuring there's enough space for them to expand. They should be golden brown on both sides, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to flip them gently. Head on over to my guide for choosing the right oil to fry donuts for more information!
• After frying, place the donuts on a paper towel-lined rack to drain any excess oil to maintain their crispiness and prevent them from becoming greasy.
• When filling the donuts with the lemon curd and whipped cream mixture, use a pastry bag with a long, slender tip for precision. Insert the tip into the side of the donut and gently squeeze to fill without overfilling. Stop when they feel heavy and just a little bit of the filling slips out the filling hole.
• Lemon donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the same day they're made. The brioche texture is at its prime, and the flavors are most vibrant when they're still warm and inviting.

💭 Recipe FAQs 

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