Italian Custard Bomboloni (Print-Friendly Version)

Fluffy yeasted donuts filled with rich vanilla custard and finished with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar.

# Ingredients:

→ For the Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - Pinch of salt
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 cup whole milk, warmed
05 - 25g fresh yeast or 1 packet instant dried yeast
06 - 4 oz sweet butter, softened
07 - 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
08 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ For the Custard Filling

09 - 2 cups milk
10 - 4 egg yolks
11 - 1/3 cup sugar
12 - 3 tablespoons cornstarch
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Finishing

14 - Powdered sugar, for dusting

# Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Create a well in the center for the yeast mixture.
02 - Pour warmed milk into the well and sprinkle yeast over it. Let it rest for 5 minutes until foamy.
03 - Add softened butter and beaten eggs. Knead on low speed or by hand until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
04 - Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for 90 minutes until doubled in size.
05 - Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut rounds with a 2¼-inch cutter, place on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover, and rest for 10 minutes.
06 - Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry dough rounds in batches, turning until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
07 - Make a small slit in the center or side of each bombolone to create a pocket for the custard.
08 - Pipe custard into each bombolone using a piping bag or zip-top bag. Fill with about 1 teaspoon of custard per piece.
09 - Dust the filled bomboloni generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - Best enjoyed the same day they are made.
02 - Custard can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated.
03 - Experiment with alternative fillings like jam or Nutella.