- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently to avoid overmixing. Continue to stir until the batter is smooth and just combined.
- Add Peaches: Fill each donut cavity halfway with the batter. Then, place a spoonful of diced peaches into the center of each donut cavity.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cinnamon together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Cream Cheese Filling: Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese mixture on top of the peaches in each donut cavity. Be sure to add enough to create a creamy center, but don’t overfill.
- Top with More Batter: Gently spoon the remaining batter over the cream cheese filling, covering the peaches and cream cheese mixture completely.
- Bake: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once cooled, and enjoy!
Storage Tips:
- Room Temperature: These donuts can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the donuts in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze these donuts for up to 2 months. After they cool, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or bake at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes.
Reheating Tips:
- Microwave: To quickly reheat, place one donut on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 15-30 seconds. Be careful not to overheat as the cream cheese filling may become too runny.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet and heat for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
- Air Fryer: Reheat the donuts in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes for a slightly crispy exterior.
20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned peaches? Yes, fresh peaches can be used. Just be sure to peel and dice them before adding to the batter.
- Do I need to drain the canned peaches? Yes, make sure to drain the canned peaches before using them to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- Can I make these donuts gluten-free? Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these donuts gluten-free.
- Can I use low-fat cream cheese? Yes, low-fat cream cheese can be used as a substitute for regular cream cheese.
- Can I add a streusel topping to these donuts? Yes, adding a cinnamon streusel topping before baking can add extra crunch and flavor to these donuts.
- Can I bake these donuts in a muffin tin? Yes, you can bake these in a muffin tin, though the texture will be different and they may take a bit longer to bake.
- Can I make the donut batter the night before? You can prepare the batter in advance and store it in the fridge overnight. Just stir it gently before using the next day.
- How do I know when the donuts are fully baked? Insert a toothpick into the center of the donuts. If it comes out clean, they are fully baked.
- Can I use a different fruit besides peaches? Yes, you can substitute the peaches with other fruits like apples, berries, or cherries.
- Can I make these donuts in advance? Yes, you can bake the donuts ahead of time, and they store well for several days in an airtight container.
- Can I fry these donuts instead of baking them? These donuts are designed to be baked, but you can fry them in oil if you prefer a more traditional donut texture.
- Can I add nuts to these donuts? Yes, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts would give these donuts a nice crunch and additional flavor.
- Can I use a different sweetener than sugar? You can substitute sugar with alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or stevia, but this may affect the texture slightly.
- How long will these donuts stay fresh? These donuts will stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature or up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Can I make mini donuts? Yes, you can use a mini donut pan to make bite-sized versions of these donuts. The baking time will be shorter, so check after 8-10 minutes.
- What can I serve these donuts with? These donuts are great on their own, but you can serve them with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent dessert.
- Do I need to grease the donut pan? Yes, be sure to grease the donut pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Can I make the cream cheese filling with a hand mixer? Yes, a hand mixer or stand mixer will work well for beating the cream cheese filling until smooth.
- Can I freeze these donuts before baking? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked donuts. Freeze the assembled donuts on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
- Can I skip the cream cheese filling? Yes, you can make these donuts without the cream cheese filling if you prefer a simpler version. You could also use a glaze instead.
