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Blueberry Cake Donut Holes with Citrus Glaze & Lemon Curd Filling

A delightful mouthful of cakey, tender donut holes filled with tangy lemon curd and glazed with a citrusy drizzle, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 30 donut holes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90

Ingredients
  

For the donut holes
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, do not thaw)
  • Neutral oil for frying (if frying) or nonstick spray for a mini donut pan
For the lemon curd filling
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed and cold
For the citrus glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh orange juice (optional, for extra citrus depth)
  • 1-2 tbsp milk, if needed for thinning
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Method
 

Making the lemon curd
  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 6–8 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in cold butter, one piece at a time, until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, press plastic wrap onto the curd, and chill.
Making the donut holes
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, yogurt, melted butter, vanilla, and lemon zest until combined.
  3. Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but scoopable. Fold in blueberries gently to avoid too much color bleeding.
  4. Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with 2–3 inches of oil and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, drop 1-tablespoon portions of batter into the hot oil, frying in batches so the oil temperature holds. Fry for about 2–3 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.
  6. If baking: Spoon batter into a greased mini donut pan and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly before removing.
  7. Once the donut holes are cool enough to handle, spoon lemon curd into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Insert the tip into each donut hole and gently squeeze to fill.
  8. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon and orange juice, and add milk only if you need to thin the glaze to a pourable consistency. Dip the tops of the donut holes or drizzle glaze over them. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Use fresh blueberries if possible. Maintain a steady oil temperature while frying. For a quick twist, toss the donut holes in cinnamon sugar while warm.