Strawberry cheesecake donut holes are sweet, bite-sized treats filled with creamy cheesecake and juicy strawberry flavor—all wrapped in soft, golden fried dough. They’re like mini donut dreams come true, bursting with rich filling and dusted in sugar. I love serving these at brunches, parties, or when I want a fun twist on two of my favorite desserts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it delivers all the flavor of strawberry cheesecake and donuts in one portable, poppable bite. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and filled with a smooth, fruity cream cheese mixture that melts in my mouth. Plus, they’re super fun to make and even more fun to eat—perfect for sharing or indulging all on my own.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Doughnut Holes:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Salt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter (melted)
- Vanilla extract
- Oil (for frying)
For the Filling:
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Strawberry jam or finely chopped strawberries
For Coating:
- Granulated sugar
- Optional: freeze-dried strawberry powder for color and flavor
Directions
- I start by making the cheesecake filling: beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and strawberry jam until smooth. I chill it to firm it up.
- For the dough, I whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in one bowl, then stir in the milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla to form a thick batter.
- I heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C) and carefully drop in spoonfuls of dough, frying in batches until golden and puffed—about 2–3 minutes per side.
- I remove the donut holes with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
- While still warm, I roll them in granulated sugar or a sugar-strawberry powder mix for extra flavor.
- Once cooled, I fill each one using a piping bag fitted with a small tip, injecting the strawberry cheesecake filling into the center.
- I serve them fresh, warm, or chilled depending on the vibe I'm going for.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 24 donut holes. It takes roughly 15 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to fry, and another 10–15 minutes to fill and finish. Altogether, I can have them ready in under an hour.
Variations
- I sometimes use store-bought biscuit dough for a quick shortcut.
- For a deeper berry flavor, I swirl chopped fresh strawberries into the filling just before piping.
- A drizzle of white chocolate over the top makes them extra special for parties.
- I love tossing them in cinnamon sugar for a strawberry cheesecake churro vibe.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. They’re best fresh, but I reheat unfilled donut holes in the microwave for a few seconds to soften. Filled ones are better enjoyed chilled or at room temp. I don’t recommend freezing once they’re filled.
FAQs
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, I’ve baked them in a mini muffin tin at 375°F for 12–15 minutes. The texture is more cakey, but still delicious.
How do I fill the donut holes?
I use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pushing into the side or bottom of the donut to fill the center with cheesecake mix.
Can I use fresh strawberries?
Absolutely. I chop them finely and stir into the cream cheese filling or cook them down slightly to mix in as a jam-like layer.
Do I have to roll them in sugar?
No, but I love the extra crunch and sweetness. A powdered sugar dusting or glaze works too if I want to change it up.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes! I usually make it a day ahead and keep it chilled until ready to use. It actually pipes more easily when it’s slightly firm.
Conclusion
Strawberry cheesecake donut holes are the kind of dessert I keep coming back to—fun to make, irresistible to eat, and full of creamy, fruity, sugary goodness. Whether I’m serving them at a celebration or treating myself to something sweet, they never fail to deliver that wow-factor in every bite.
Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: About 24 donut holes
- Category: Dessert, Brunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These strawberry cheesecake donut holes are bite-sized, golden fried treats filled with creamy cheesecake and juicy strawberry flavor. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with fruity richness, they’re the ultimate mashup of two classic desserts—perfect for brunch, parties, or indulgent snacking.
Ingredients
- For the Donut Holes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Oil, for frying
- For the Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup strawberry jam or 2–3 tablespoon finely chopped fresh strawberries
- For the Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Optional: 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder (for added color & flavor)
Instructions
- Make the filling: Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and strawberry jam (or strawberries) until smooth. Chill until firm.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a thick batter.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Drop spoonfuls of dough into hot oil in batches. Fry 2–3 minutes per side, until golden.
- Remove and drain on paper towels. While warm, roll in granulated sugar or sugar mixed with freeze-dried strawberry powder.
- Once cooled, fill each donut hole with cheesecake filling using a piping bag with a small round tip.
- Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature.
Notes
- Baked alternative: Use a mini muffin tin and bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes.
- Use store-bought biscuit dough to save time—fry as directed.
- Add chopped fresh berries to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
- Drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant finish.
