Bomboloni – Italian Cream-Filled Donuts
Bomboloni are soft, fluffy Italian donuts filled with silky vanilla pastry cream and coated in sugar. These bakery-style treats are light, airy, and irresistibly delicious, making them perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon coffee break.
With a rich homemade custard filling and a golden fried exterior, every bite delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess.
Flavor & Texture Highlights
- Soft and fluffy dough
- Creamy vanilla pastry filling
- Golden fried exterior
- Classic Italian bakery flavor
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Authentic Italian-style donuts
- Rich homemade pastry cream
- Perfect for special occasions
- Bakery-quality results at home
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 500g bread flour
- 250ml lukewarm whole milk
- 70g granulated sugar
- 7g active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 75g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Oil for frying
For the Vanilla Pastry Cream
- 500ml whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 120g sugar
- 40g cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 25g butter
For Coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Combine lukewarm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add eggs, vanilla, and yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
Step 3: Add Butter
Knead the dough while gradually incorporating the softened butter until smooth and elastic.
Step 4: First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1½–2 hours or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Prepare the Pastry Cream
Heat milk until warm but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Slowly add the warm milk while whisking.
Step 6: Cook the Cream
Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter. Cool completely.
Step 7: Shape the Bomboloni
Roll out the dough to about 1 cm thickness. Cut circles using a round cutter and place them on a lined tray.
Step 8: Second Rise
Cover loosely and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Step 9: Fry
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Step 10: Coat and Fill
While still warm, roll the donuts in sugar. Fill each donut with cooled pastry cream using a piping bag.
Step 11: Serve
Enjoy fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Success
- Use room-temperature eggs and butter
- Do not overheat the frying oil
- Cool pastry cream completely before filling
- Fill generously for bakery-style results
Storage
Store filled Bomboloni in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Unfilled donuts can be stored at room temperature for 1 day.
Best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made.
Bomboloni Recipe Card
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts
Ingredients
- 500g bread flour
- 250ml milk
- 70g sugar
- 7g yeast
- 2 eggs
- 75g butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 500ml milk (for cream)
- 4 egg yolks
- 120g sugar
- 40g cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare and knead the dough.
- Allow dough to rise.
- Make the pastry cream.
- Roll and cut dough circles.
- Let rise again.
- Fry until golden.
- Coat with sugar.
- Fill with pastry cream and serve.
Final Thoughts
These homemade Bomboloni are soft, airy, and filled with rich vanilla pastry cream. Whether served with coffee, tea, or as a special dessert, they bring the taste of an Italian bakery right into your kitchen.






