Blackberry jam and custard doughnuts

Ingredients

• 550g/ 1 1/4lb plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 50g/ 1 4/5oz caster sugar
• 2 x 7g /1/5oz sachets of easy blend dried yeast
• 125ml/ 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 50g/ 1 4/5oz butter, melted
• 100ml/ 1/2 cup water
• Sunflower oil, for frying

For the filling:

• 175ml/ 4/5 cup milk
• 50g 1 4/5oz caster sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Blackberry jam, strained through a sieve

Directions

1. To make the doughnuts, place the flour, caster sugar and yeast in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre.
2. Add the milk, eggs, and butter to the bowl together with the water and, using your hands or a wooden spoon, combine the ingredients until you have a dough. It is a little sticky to work with but resist adding too much extra flour.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a smooth ball and place it back in the bowl. Cover with cling film and leave in a warm, dark place to rise for about 50 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.
4. When the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 12 equal pieces and shape into balls. Transfer them to a baking tray dusted with a little flour, cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise again for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, prepare the custard filling. Place the milk in a saucepan and gently heat until it just boiling, then remove from the heat.
6. Whisk the caster sugar and egg yolks in a bowl until they are pale and then mix through the cornflour. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking until it is all incorporated.
7. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and simmer over a low heat, whisking until thickened. Remove from the heat and rub the top with a little butter to prevent a skin forming, allow to cool and cover with cling film. Firm up in the fridge.
8. Cook the doughnuts in batches in a deep-fat fryer or a large saucepan filled with sunflower oil at 180ºC/356°F for 2–3 minutes on either side or until golden brown.
9. Drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper and allow to cool.
10. Transfer the custard to a piping bag fitted with a plain 5mm nozzle and inject it into the side of each doughnut. Repeat this process with the blackberry jam. The doughnuts are best eaten straight away!

Read more: Doughnut Cake Pops

Donal Skehan is a home cook, food writer and television presenter.Check out Donal's Facebook, Twitter, and website and make sure to subscribe to his YouYube channel for more culinary tips, recipes, and food travels.