Easy Lemon Baked Donuts

2 ½ tsp. active dry yeast
2/3 cup milk, warmed to 110f˚
1 cup granulate sugar
6 large eggs
3 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ¼ tsp salt, divided
¾ cup + 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided and softened
½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons
2 Tbsp. lemon zest lemon zest (about 2 large lemons

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add yeast, milk and 2 teaspoons sugar. Let stand 5-8 minutes, until foamy. Whisk in 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sugar and 3 eggs. Add about half of the flour and 1 teaspoon salt to the bowl. Use a dough hook attachment to mix mixture until dough comes together.

2. Add the remaining flour and mix into the dough. Slowly add ½ cup butter and beat on medium speed, until a smooth dough forms, about 4 minutes.

3. Prepare a bowl with nonstick cooking spray, then place dough in the center of the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

4. To make the lemon curd, place 3 eggs, ¾ cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, lemon juice and lemon zest in a saucepan. Whisk until combined, then place over low heat. Stir constantly, until mixture thickens, about 4-6 minutes. On very low heat, add ¼ cup butter and stir until smooth. Strain lemon curd into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to cool about 10 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.

5. Flour a flat surface and roll dough about ½” thick. Use a 1½” round cutter to cut out donuts. Place on parchment lined baking sheets, about 1” apart. Roll remaining dough together and repeat process to create a total of 32-36 donuts. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest about 30 minutes, until puffy.

6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake donuts 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.

7. Melt 2 tablespoons butter, then brush onto donuts. Coat with sugar, then poke a hole in the side of each donut.

8. Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a small piping tip, with lemon curd. Pipe about 1 teaspoon of curd into each donut.

9. Serve and store leftovers up to 3 days.

Calories 360
Total Fat 16 g
Saturated Fat 9 g
Cholesterol 130 mg
Poly Fat 1 g
Mono Fat 5 g
Sodium 240 mg
Total Carbohydrate 47 g
Sugar 18 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Protein 8 g
Vitamin A 160 mcg
Calcium 40 mg
Iron 2.2 mg
Vitamin D 0.7 mcg
Folate 80 µg
Choline 80 mg
Potassium 80 mg