Deconstructing Thanksgiving: Mastering Krispy Kreme’s New Pie Doughnut Recipes
Thanksgiving is a holiday synonymous with pies, family, and a general feeling of warmth and gratitude. Now, imagine taking those quintessential Thanksgiving pie flavors and encapsulating them within the fluffy, glazed goodness of a Krispy Kreme doughnut. This year, Krispy Kreme has done just that, releasing a line of Thanksgiving-themed pie doughnuts that have captured the imagination (and taste buds) of dessert lovers everywhere. But what if you wanted to recreate these autumnal delights in your own kitchen? This comprehensive guide will break down the Krispy Kreme Thanksgiving pie doughnut recipes, providing detailed instructions, tips, and tricks to help you master these delicious treats at home.
## The Krispy Kreme Thanksgiving Pie Doughnut Lineup
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a closer look at the stars of the show:
* **Pumpkin Pie Doughnut:** A classic pumpkin pie filling nestled inside a Krispy Kreme doughnut, dipped in a pumpkin spice glaze and topped with pie crust crumbles.
* **Pecan Pie Doughnut:** A decadent pecan pie filling with a rich, nutty flavor, encased in a Krispy Kreme doughnut, glazed with a maple icing, and garnished with pecan pieces.
* **Dutch Apple Pie Doughnut:** A sweet and tart apple filling with hints of cinnamon and spice, inside a Krispy Kreme doughnut, dipped in a caramel icing, and sprinkled with streusel topping.
* **Chocolate Crème Pie Doughnut:** A creamy chocolate filling reminiscent of a chocolate silk pie, filling a Krispy Kreme doughnut and dipped in chocolate icing, and topped with a chocolate crumb.
These doughnuts offer a delightful twist on traditional Thanksgiving desserts, and recreating them at home allows you to customize the flavors and ingredients to your liking. Let’s begin with the foundation – the doughnut itself.
## The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Base: From Scratch or Semi-Homemade?
While making doughnuts from scratch can be a rewarding experience, it can also be time-consuming. For those who want a quicker route to Thanksgiving doughnut bliss, a semi-homemade approach is perfectly acceptable.
**Option 1: From Scratch (The Authentic Approach)**
This method requires making a yeast-raised doughnut dough from scratch. This is the most challenging but also the most rewarding, closely mimicking the texture and flavor of Krispy Kreme’s original doughnuts.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
* 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* ⅓ cup shortening, melted
* 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* Vegetable oil, for frying
**Instructions:**
1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** Add the remaining sugar, salt, eggs, and melted shortening to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
3. **Add Flour:** Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky.
4. **Knead the Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5 minutes.
5. **First Rise:** Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. **Punch Down and Roll Out:** Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to ½-inch thickness.
7. **Cut Doughnuts:** Use a doughnut cutter (or two different sized round cookie cutters) to cut out doughnuts. Place the doughnuts and doughnut holes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. **Second Rise:** Cover the doughnuts with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
9. **Fry the Doughnuts:** Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the doughnuts in the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot.
10. **Drain and Cool:** Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly before glazing or filling.
**Option 2: Semi-Homemade (The Quick Route)**
This method utilizes pre-made canned biscuit dough or frozen bread dough as a shortcut. While the texture won’t be exactly the same as Krispy Kreme’s, it’s a much faster and easier option for busy bakers.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 cans (16 ounces each) refrigerated biscuit dough OR 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen bread dough, thawed
* Vegetable oil, for frying
**Instructions (Using Biscuit Dough):**
1. **Prepare the Dough:** Remove the biscuits from the can and separate them.
2. **Cut Doughnuts:** Use a doughnut cutter (or two different sized round cookie cutters) to cut out doughnuts from each biscuit. Alternatively, you can simply fry the biscuits whole for a more rustic doughnut.
3. **Fry the Doughnuts:** Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the doughnuts in the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot.
4. **Drain and Cool:** Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly before glazing or filling.
**Instructions (Using Frozen Bread Dough):**
1. **Prepare the Dough:** Thaw the frozen bread dough according to package instructions.
2. **Roll Out and Cut:** Roll the dough out to ½-inch thickness and use a doughnut cutter to cut out doughnuts.
3. **Second Rise:** Place the doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 30 minutes.
4. **Fry the Doughnuts:** Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the doughnuts in the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot.
5. **Drain and Cool:** Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly before glazing or filling.
## Recreating the Thanksgiving Pie Doughnut Fillings
Now that we have our doughnut base, let’s move on to the heart of the matter: the pie fillings. We’ll break down each filling, providing recipes and tips for achieving the authentic Krispy Kreme flavor.
### 1. Pumpkin Pie Doughnut Filling
This filling is a spiced pumpkin custard that perfectly complements the sweetness of the doughnut. It’s similar to a traditional pumpkin pie filling but slightly thicker to prevent it from oozing out of the doughnut.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
* ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
* ⅛ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 2 large egg yolks
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a medium saucepan, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
2. **Heat and Thicken:** Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
3. **Temper the Egg Yolks:** In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually whisk a small amount of the hot pumpkin mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper it (this prevents the eggs from scrambling).
4. **Combine and Cook:** Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the pumpkin mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.
5. **Cool Completely:** Remove from heat and pour the filling into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled and thickened.
**Pumpkin Spice Glaze:**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup milk
* 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner glaze. Dip cooled doughnuts into the glaze and top with pie crust crumbles.
**Pie Crust Crumbles:**
* Leftover pie crust dough (or store-bought)
* 1 tablespoon melted butter
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Crumble pie crust dough onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Let cool completely before using.
### 2. Pecan Pie Doughnut Filling
This filling is a rich and nutty pecan pie filling that captures the essence of the classic Thanksgiving dessert.
**Ingredients:**
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* ¼ cup light corn syrup
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* ⅛ teaspoon salt
* 2 large eggs
* 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
2. **Add Eggs:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
3. **Stir in Pecans:** Stir in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
4. **Cook on Stovetop (Optional):** For a slightly thicker filling, you can cook the mixture on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
5. **Cool Completely:** Pour the filling into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled and thickened.
**Maple Glaze:**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup maple syrup
* 2-3 tablespoons milk
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner glaze. Dip cooled doughnuts into the glaze and top with chopped pecans.
### 3. Dutch Apple Pie Doughnut Filling
This filling is a sweet and tart apple filling with warm spices, reminiscent of a Dutch apple pie. It’s crucial to use firm apples that hold their shape during cooking.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and diced
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. **Toss with Apples:** Add the diced apples to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the dry ingredients.
3. **Cook the Filling:** In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Add lemon juice.
4. **Cool Completely:** Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely before using.
**Caramel Glaze:**
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* ¼ cup heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the caramel thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool slightly before dipping doughnuts. Drizzle with streusel topping.
**Streusel Topping:**
* ½ cup all-purpose flour
* ¼ cup packed brown sugar
* ¼ cup rolled oats
* ¼ cup (½ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the caramel-glazed doughnuts.
### 4. Chocolate Crème Pie Doughnut Filling
This filling is a rich and creamy chocolate filling that’s perfect for chocolate lovers. It is reminiscent of a chocolate cream pie filling and offers a decadent counterpoint to the doughnut.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 4 large egg yolks
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* ⅛ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
2. **Whisk in Egg Yolks and Cream:** In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and egg yolks until combined. Gradually whisk this mixture into the dry ingredients in the saucepan.
3. **Cook and Thicken:** Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking.
4. **Remove from Heat and Add Chocolate:** Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and chopped bittersweet chocolate until the chocolate is melted and the filling is smooth.
5. **Cool Completely:** Pour the filling into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the filling to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely cooled and thickened.
**Chocolate Glaze:**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* ¼ cup milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner glaze. Dip cooled doughnuts into the glaze and top with chocolate crumbs.
**Chocolate Crumbs:**
* Chocolate Wafer Cookies or chocolate graham crackers.
Crush cookies or graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
## Assembling Your Thanksgiving Pie Doughnuts
Now that you have your doughnuts, fillings, and glazes prepared, it’s time to assemble your Thanksgiving masterpieces!
1. **Cool Doughnuts:** Ensure your doughnuts are completely cool before filling and glazing. This will prevent the glaze from melting and the filling from becoming runny.
2. **Prepare Fillings:** Make sure your fillings are chilled and thickened.
3. **Filling the Doughnuts:** There are a few ways to fill your doughnuts:
* **Using a Piping Bag:** The most precise method is to use a piping bag fitted with a filling tip. Pipe the filling into the center of each doughnut through a small hole poked in the side.
* **Using a Spoon:** For a more rustic look, you can simply use a spoon to scoop the filling into the center of each doughnut.
* **Slicing and Filling:** Carefully slice the doughnut horizontally and spread the filling evenly on the bottom half before replacing the top half.
4. **Glazing the Doughnuts:** Dip the filled doughnuts into your chosen glaze, ensuring they are evenly coated. Allow excess glaze to drip off.
5. **Decorating the Doughnuts:** Decorate the glazed doughnuts with the appropriate toppings, such as pie crust crumbles, chopped pecans, streusel topping, or chocolate crumbs.
6. **Let Set:** Allow the glaze to set completely before serving, about 15-20 minutes.
## Tips and Tricks for Doughnut Perfection
* **Oil Temperature:** Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for frying doughnuts. If the oil is too hot, the doughnuts will burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside. If the oil is too cool, the doughnuts will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pot:** Fry doughnuts in batches to prevent overcrowding the pot, which can lower the oil temperature and result in uneven cooking.
* **Use Fresh Oil:** Use fresh, clean vegetable oil for the best flavor and texture.
* **Cool Completely:** Allow doughnuts to cool completely before filling and glazing to prevent melting.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** Adjust the amount of sugar in the fillings to your liking.
* **Get Creative with Toppings:** Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Use different types of nuts, sprinkles, or drizzles to customize your doughnuts.
* **Make Ahead:** The fillings can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The doughnuts are best eaten fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
## Serving Suggestions
These Thanksgiving pie doughnuts are perfect for:
* **Thanksgiving Dessert:** A fun and festive alternative to traditional pies.
* **Holiday Brunch:** A sweet treat to complement your brunch spread.
* **Gifts:** Package them up in decorative boxes and give them as homemade gifts.
* **Parties:** Bring them to your next holiday party and impress your guests.
* **Anytime Treat:** Enjoy them as a special treat any time of the year!
## Conclusion
Recreating Krispy Kreme’s Thanksgiving pie doughnuts at home is a fun and rewarding culinary adventure. While it may seem daunting at first, by breaking down the recipes into manageable steps and following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can easily master these delicious treats. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bring the flavors of Thanksgiving to your kitchen in a whole new way. Happy baking, and happy Thanksgiving!