Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts

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

  1. Preheat & Prepare Pan – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a heart-shaped donut pan.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  3. Prepare Wet Ingredients – In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. Beat Cream Cheese – In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add Sweetness & Texture – Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until light and fluffy.
  3. Transfer to a Piping Bag – Fill a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

Step 3: Fill the Donuts

  1. Create a Small Hole – Use a small knife or piping tip to create a hole in each donut.
  2. Pipe the Filling – Gently squeeze the cheesecake filling into each donut.

Step 4: Make the Strawberry Glaze

  1. Prepare the Strawberries – Puree fresh strawberries until smooth.
  2. 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

  1. Glaze the Donuts – Dip each filled donut into the strawberry glaze and let excess drip off.
  2. Garnish – Sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberries, sprinkles, or drizzle with white chocolate.

Step 6: Set & Serve

  1. 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!

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Heart-Shaped Strawberry Cheesecake Donuts

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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!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 810 donuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a heart-shaped donut pan (or use a regular donut pan).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
  5. Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each about ¾ full.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. 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

  1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Fold in finely chopped strawberries and mix until combined.
  3. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small tip.

Step 3: Fill the Donuts

  1. Using a small knife or piping tip, gently poke a hole into the side of each donut.
  2. Pipe strawberry cheesecake filling into each donut until slightly puffed.

Step 4: Make the Glaze & Decorate

  1. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Add a drop of pink or red food coloring for a festive touch.
  3. Dip each donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off.
  4. 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!

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