2 Shares

Baked jelly donuts are soft, fluffy, and filled with sweet jam, making them a lighter alternative to fried donuts. This easy homemade donut recipe uses yeast dough for a light texture, baked to golden perfection, then coated in sugar and filled with your favorite fruit jelly or jam. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gatherings, these donuts are a bakery-style treat made right in your oven.

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus more for dusting
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp salt
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet = 7 g)
⅔ cup warm milk (110°F, about 35 seconds in the microwave)
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted, divided
2 egg yolks
½ tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup jelly or jam (smooth, without large fruit pieces)
⅓ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

Start the dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, 3 Tbsp melted butter, egg yolks, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface.
Finish mixing: Add the remaining 1 ½ cups flour, a little at a time, until the dough comes together and no longer clings to the sides of the bowl. (Use the last 2 Tbsp flour only if needed.) Knead in the bowl for 5 minutes. If the dough sticks to your hands, lightly dust with flour and continue kneading. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot (100°F oven for 45 minutes or room temperature for 1 ½ hours), until doubled in size.
Shape the donuts: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out just under ½-inch thick. Cut circles with a 2 ½-inch round cutter. Re-roll scraps as needed to make about 12 donuts. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise again (100°F oven for 20 minutes or room temperature for 45 minutes), until puffed.
Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake the donuts uncovered for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
Finish and fill: While still hot, brush each donut with the remaining 1 Tbsp melted butter and roll in granulated sugar to coat. Cut a deep slit in the side of each donut and pipe in jelly using a pastry bag. Serve warm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These baked jelly donuts are soft, fluffy, and filled with sweet jam. They’re a lighter alternative to traditional fried donuts but still taste rich and delicious. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, these homemade donuts are bakery-quality right from your oven.

Tips

Make sure the milk is warm, not hot—too much heat can kill the yeast.
Let the dough rise in a slightly warm, draft-free spot for the best results.
Use a piping bag with a round tip to neatly fill donuts with jelly.
For evenly baked donuts, rotate the baking sheet halfway through.

Variations and Substitutions

Try different fillings like custard, Nutella, lemon curd, or pastry cream.
Swap white sugar for cinnamon sugar when rolling for extra flavor.
Use whole wheat flour for part of the dough to make them heartier.
For a dairy-free option, use plant-based milk and vegan butter.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dough, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping.

Can these donuts be frozen?
Yes! Freeze unfilled baked donuts in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 8–10 minutes, then roll in sugar and fill with jelly.

Do I need special equipment to fill them?
A piping bag with a round tip works best, but you can also use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off.

Serving

Serve warm with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. These donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch gatherings, or as a sweet snack any time of day.

Suggestions

Pair with fresh fruit for a complete brunch spread.
Serve on a platter dusted with powdered sugar for a bakery-style look.
Make assorted flavors by filling half with jelly and half with cream or chocolate.