We've taken plain waffles, pancakes, donuts, and even cookie pairs and filled them with this whipped cream cheese recipe, then added anything from sprinkles to fresh fruits, jams and made them into a decadent gourmet hacks.
Whether you're a chocolate frosted cream donut lover or a Nutella filled waffle we have the easiest creations and ideas all set to make the best semi homemade breakfasts and desserts.
Scroll down to our recipe card for these easily printable ideas and step-by-step instructions and don't forget to read the tips and filling ideas!
Simple Steps for Donut Hacks
- slice the donuts ( if using frozen waffles or pancakes toast them first, or another breakfast favorite and set them aside
- Note: cookies in pairs, or croissants, can be filled with one of our suggestions below
- make the cream cheese filling for the donuts
- garnish with dip the top with frosting, melted chocolate, dust with powdered sugar, or roll in cinnamon and granulated sugar
Other Fillings and Garnish Ideas for Donuts
- lemon curd or pudding
- chocolate pudding
- any instant pudding
- any jams, jelly, or preserves, favorite flavors
- coconut cream
- jelly and cream cheese
- jelly and buttercream
- jelly and custard
- butterscotch pudding
- heavy cream whipped and sweetened
- Nutella
- fill with marshmallow creme
- strawberry pie filling is another good filling
- solo filling (almond flavoring)
- pie fillings in a can and chopped finely
- buttercream
- pumpkin pie filling, not puree
- dip in melted white or dark chocolate
- cover in sprinkles
- roll in powdered sugar
- roll in granulated sugar
- make a glaze with powdered sugar and water, and dip them
- use store-bought cookies and fill
- buy plain or premade glazed donuts and fill them
- fill bagels or brioche
- fill waffles, French toast, and pancakes
Tips for Donut Hacks
- Fill them just before serving
- Dip them in a glaze of powdered sugar and water or garnish with powdered sugar, a cinnamon-sugar mixture, or granulated sugar
- Mini Donuts can be made, and the kids can have a family project, filling and dipping in their favorite sprinkles
- Add zest to the cream cheese filling for a lemon or orange flavor with coordinating extracts
- Add food coloring to the cream cheese for a fun, colorful filling
- Sprinkles can be added to the cheese filling
- For easier spreading of jams and jelly, if stored in the refrigerator, microwave them for 8 to 9 seconds (not melted)
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy spreading
- If the cream cheese is too thick, add a few drops of milk
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The Best Donut and Breakfast Hacks Ever!
Transform store-bought donuts into rich desserts by slicing them horizontally and stuffing them with ice cream, classic pastry creams, fruit jams, or savory-sweet spreads for a decadent treat.- Ice Cream Fillings: Vanilla bean or sweet cream: Classic and lets the donut flavor shine. Strawberry or mint chocolate chip: Adds vibrant color and fresh contrast. Coffee or caramel swirl: Cuts through the heavy sweetness of the pastry. Cookie dough or butter pecan: Introduces a fun, chunky texture.
- Cream and Custard Fillings: Vanilla pastry cream (crème pâtissière): Rich, thick, and bakery-style.Whipped cream or chantilly cream: Light and airy to balance a dense cake donut.
- Cream cheese frosting: Tangy and sweet, perfect for red velvet or cinnamon donuts
- Chocolate ganache: Decadent, glossy, and extra rich.
- Fruit and Nut Fillings: Raspberry or strawberry jam: Tart fruit cuts the sugar. Nutella or peanut butter: Thick, nutty, and savory.
- Lemon curd: Bright and citrusy
- Biscoff cookie butter: Spiced, caramel-like richness.
Yield: 4
Filled Donuts and Breakfast Hacks
These are store-bought plain donuts (or even cookies) sandwiched together with a decadent cream cheese filling, then rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 10 Min
Ingredients
- 4 plain store-bought donuts,, frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast sticks, or cookie pairs
- Note: there are many filling suggestions in the note section of this recipe card
- Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 2 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips, or orange and lemon zest
- Cinnamon Sugar Garnish for rolling:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- See notes for other filling ideas below
Instructions
- Slice the donuts lengthwise so you have a top and bottom and set them aside.
- Beat the cream cheese with sugar and vanilla.
- If it isn't spreadable, add a few drops of milk.
- Fill the donuts on the bottom half and top with the other half.
- Roll into cinnamon sugar mixture, dip in melted chocolate or a powdered sugar and water glaze, and serve!
- These can even be dusted with powdered sugar.
- Note: The Recipe can be doubled if needed for more servings.
- For more fillings and garnish ideas, refer to the notes below.
- Store any leftover covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Notes
Other Fillings and Garnish Ideas or Donuts
- lemon curd or pudding
- chocolate pudding
- peanut butter and jelly
- any jams, jelly, or preserves, favorite flavors
- coconut cream
- heavy cream whipped and sweetened
- jelly and cream cheese
- jelly and buttercream
- jelly and custard
- butterscotch pudding
- any instant pudding flavors
- add instant coffee
- Nutella
- fill with marshmallow creme
- strawberry pie filling is another good filling
- solo filling (almond flavoring)
- pie fillings in a can and chopped finely
- buttercream
- pumpkin pie filling, not puree
- dip in melted white or dark chocolate
- cover in sprinkles
- roll in powdered sugar
- roll in granulated sugar
- make a glaze with powdered sugar and water, and dip them
- use store-bought cookies and fill
- buy plain or premade glazed donuts and fill them
- fill bagels or brioche
- fill waffles, French toast and pancakes
Tips for Donut Hacks
- Fill them just before serving
- Dip them in a glaze of powdered sugar and water or garnish with powdered sugar, a cinnamon-sugar mixture, or granulated sugar
- Mini Donuts can be made, and the kids can have a family project, filling and dipping in their favorite sprinkles
- Add zest to the cream cheese filling for a lemon or orange flavor with coordinating extracts
- Add food coloring to the cream cheese for a fun, colorful filling
- Sprinkles can be added to the cheese filling
- For easier spreading of jams and jelly, if stored in the refrigerator, microwave them for 8 to 9 seconds (not melted)
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy spreading
- If the cream cheese is too thick, add a few drops of milk
Nutrition Facts
Calories
180Fat (grams)
10 gSat. Fat (grams)
6 gCarbs (grams)
22 gFiber (grams)
0 gNet carbs
22 gSugar (grams)
21 gProtein (grams)
2 gSodium (milligrams)
89 mgCholesterol (grams)
29 mgThe default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
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