These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts are the perfect combination of fluffy baked donuts, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet strawberry glaze. With a charming heart shape, they make a beautiful and delicious treat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Romantic & Festive – The heart shape makes these donuts perfect for celebrations.
- Strawberry & Cheesecake Perfection – A sweet and creamy combination that tastes just like a strawberry cheesecake.
- Baked, Not Fried – A lighter and easier alternative to traditional fried donuts.
- Customizable & Fun – Change the filling, glaze, or toppings to suit your taste.
- Great for Gifting – A homemade, love-filled treat for friends and family.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Donuts:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter (melted)
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy cream
For the Strawberry Glaze:
- Fresh strawberries (pureed)
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Milk (as needed)
For Garnish:
- Freeze-dried strawberries (crushed)
- Sprinkles
- White chocolate drizzle (optional)
Directions

Step 1: Make the Donuts
- Preheat & Prepare Pan – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a heart-shaped donut pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients – In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Combine & Fill the Pan – Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until smooth. Pipe or spoon the batter into the heart-shaped donut molds, filling about ¾ full.
- Bake the Donuts – Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat Cream Cheese – In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Sweetness & Texture – Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until light and fluffy.
- Transfer to a Piping Bag – Fill a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
Step 3: Fill the Donuts
- Create a Small Hole – Use a small knife or piping tip to create a hole in each donut.
- Pipe the Filling – Gently squeeze the cheesecake filling into each donut.
Step 4: Make the Strawberry Glaze
- Prepare the Strawberries – Puree fresh strawberries until smooth.
- Mix the Glaze – In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until smooth. Add milk if needed to thin the consistency.
Step 5: Dip & Decorate
- Glaze the Donuts – Dip each filled donut into the strawberry glaze and let excess drip off.
- Garnish – Sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberries, sprinkles, or drizzle with white chocolate.
Step 6: Set & Serve
- Let the Glaze Set – Allow the donuts to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 10-12 heart-shaped donuts
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Cooling & Decorating Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate-Coated Version – Dip the donuts in melted chocolate instead of strawberry glaze.
- Lemon Cheesecake Filling – Add lemon zest to the cheesecake filling for a citrusy twist.
- Berry Mix Glaze – Use a combination of raspberries and strawberries for a vibrant color and flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version – Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before adding glaze.
- Serving Tip: Let refrigerated donuts sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes! Use a muffin pan and cut out the center to create a donut shape.
How do I keep my donuts from being dry?
Make sure not to overbake them, and use buttermilk for extra moisture.
Can I use store-bought strawberry jam instead of fresh puree?
Yes! Just mix it with a little lemon juice to thin it out.
How do I get the perfect heart shape?
A heart-shaped donut pan works best, but you can also pipe the batter onto a baking sheet in heart shapes.
Can I fry these donuts instead of baking them?
No, this recipe is designed for baked donuts. Frying requires a different type of dough.
Can I make the cheesecake filling ahead of time?
Yes! Store it in the fridge in a piping bag until ready to use.
How do I make the glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin it out.
Can I add fresh strawberry chunks to the filling?
Yes! Just finely chop them to avoid clogging the piping tip.
How do I decorate these for a party?
Use heart sprinkles, gold dust, or drizzle with contrasting chocolate for an elegant touch.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese, almond milk, and coconut oil instead of butter.
Conclusion
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts are a delightful treat with a soft, fluffy texture, creamy cheesecake filling, and sweet strawberry glaze. Perfect for celebrations or a fun baking project, they’re as delicious as they are beautiful. Try this recipe and share a little love with every bite!
PrintHeart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts are soft, baked donuts filled with a creamy strawberry cheesecake filling and topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + ½ teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
For Garnish:
- Crushed freeze-dried strawberries
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a heart-shaped donut pan (or use a regular donut pan).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in finely chopped strawberries and mix until combined.
- Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small tip.
Step 3: Fill the Donuts
- Using a small knife or piping tip, gently poke a hole into the side of each donut.
- Pipe strawberry cheesecake filling into each donut until slightly puffed.
Step 4: Make the Glaze & Decorate
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add a drop of pink or red food coloring for a festive touch.
- Dip each donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off.
- Sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberries or heart sprinkles before the glaze sets.
Notes
- No heart-shaped donut pan? Use a muffin tin and cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Want a crunch? Dip the donuts in crushed graham crackers before glazing!