BLACKBERRY-THYME JAM AND WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE FILLED DONUTS

Description

1 Dozen included

Recipe -

PREP TIME

2 hours

COOK TIME

30 mins

TOTAL TIME

2 hours 30 mins

(Note: Donut dough recipe adapted from Epicurious.com. Jam can be made a day ahead and stored overnight in refrigerator. Prep time includes rise time.)

Serves: 18 donuts

INGREDIENTS

For the Donuts
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups whole milk, heated to 110°F
4 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 large egg yolks
4 tablespoons sugar, plus more for coating
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
For the Jam
1 lb. fresh blackberries
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1¼ cups sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
For the Whipped Goat Cheese
8 oz. goat cheese, room temperature
½ cup heavy cream, room temperature

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons yeast with 1½ cups heated milk until yeast is dissolved. Add 1½ cups flour and stir until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest in warm place for about 30 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted the the paddle attachment, combine the remaining yeast and milk, add the rested flour mixture, eggs and vanilla. Mix on low until smooth, about 30 seconds. Turn off the mixer, add sugar, salt and 2 cups flour. Mix on medium until dough starts to form, another 30 seconds. Add butter and continue to mix on medium until incorporated, another 30 seconds.
Remove the paddle attachment, add the dough hook attachment. Add the remaining flour, and knead on medium until dough completely pulls away from edges. You may need to add more flour, but dough should be slightly sticky to the touch. Transfer dough to a larger mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.
Punch dough down to remove bubbles. Roll dough out on a floured work surface until approximately ½" thick. Using a 3 - 3½" round biscuit cutter, cut out 18 circles and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and sprinkled with flour, re-rolling dough as necessary. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the jam. Using the back of a spoon, smash the blackberries through a sieve set over a medium mixing bowl. Remove the middle piths left in the sieve, but add the pulp back to the juice in the mixing bowl. Add the crushed blackberries, thyme, sugar and lime juice to a large pan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 10 minutes, then let cool to room temperature. Set aside.
Make the whipped goat cheese. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a medium mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer), whip the goat cheese and cream until light and air, approximately 5 minutes. Set aside.
Cook the donuts. In a large dutch oven fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, add enough oil to fill approximately 3" deep. Heat oil to 350 degrees over medium heat. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Fill a medium baking dish with enough sugar for rolling donuts post-fry. Working in batches, 3 - 4 at a time, gently roll the dough circles back into a ball shape before dropping in the oil. Carefully drop balls into hot oil and cook for 3 - 5 minutes per side. Carefully remove the cooked donuts with a spider or slotted spoon and transfer immediately to sugar, rolling to coat evenly. Place on rack to cool.
To fill the donuts, prepare two pastry bags with a #10 decorating tip, fill each with one of the fillings. Spear each donut ball with a chopstick, stopping halfway through, to create and opening. One a time, pipe the fillings into the opening.
Enjoy!