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Ferrero Rocher Donuts

Pillowy soft homemade yeast donuts stuffed with gooey Nutella and coated in a crunchy, thick hazelnut and mixed chocolate glaze.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Donut Dough
  • 0.75 cup warm milk 180 g, about 110°F
  • 0.25 cup Greek yogurt 60 g
  • 2.25 tsp instant yeast 7 g
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar 50 g
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 0.25 cup melted butter 57 g, cooled
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract 7 g
  • 3 cups bread flour 360 g
  • 1 tsp salt 6 g
Filling & Glaze
  • 1.5 cups Nutella for filling
  • 1.5-2 cups mixed chocolate 250-300g total (85% dark, chips, semi-sweet, milk)
  • 0.75 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • 1 quart frying oil canola or vegetable

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixer or wooden spoon
  • Rolling pin
  • Donut cutter or biscuit cutter
  • Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
  • Candy/Deep-fry thermometer
  • Piping bag with round nozzle
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (warm, not hot). Stir in the yeast and half the sugar and let it sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
  2. Mix in the remaining sugar, Greek yogurt, whole egg, egg yolk, cooled melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Gradually add the bread flour and salt and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead until very soft, smooth, and stretchy, about 8–10 minutes. The dough should feel pillowy and slightly tacky. (Use a little oil on your hands/surface to knead instead of flour if needed for stickiness).
  5. Oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let rise somewhere warm until doubled in size, about 1–1½ hours.
  6. Roll out the dough to about ½-inch thick, cut out solid round donut shapes, and place on parchment paper. Cover and proof for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
  7. Heat oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Fry the donuts for 1–2 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Once completely cooled, poke a hole in the side of each donut and pipe the inside full of Nutella.
  9. Melt the mixed chocolates together until smooth. Add the chopped hazelnuts and mix well.
  10. Dip each filled donut into the melted chocolate hazelnut mixture, letting the excess drip off. Place on a cooling rack to set.
  11. Let the coating set completely at room temperature or in the fridge until slightly firm before serving.

Notes

Ensure the oil stays consistently at 350°F to prevent greasy donuts. Wait until donuts are 100% cool before filling so the Nutella doesn't melt.