1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Donut Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense donuts.
5. Fill the Donut Pan:
- Transfer the donut batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
- Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full.
6. Bake the Donuts:
- Place the filled donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when lightly pressed.
- Remove the donut pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Fill the Donuts with Nutella:
- Once the donuts are completely cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to inject Nutella into the center of each donut. Alternatively, you can use a small knife to create a slit in each donut and fill it with Nutella.
8. Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar (Optional):
- If desired, dust the Nutella-filled donuts with confectioners’ sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and decoration.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
- Arrange the Nutella-Filled Baked Donuts on a serving platter and serve them immediately.
- Enjoy the heavenly combination of fluffy baked donuts and creamy Nutella filling, savoring each decadent bite.
- Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
Conclusion: With their fluffy texture, rich Nutella filling, and irresistible flavor, these Nutella-Filled Baked Donuts are a true delight for the senses. Whether enjoyed as a special breakfast treat or as a decadent dessert, these homemade donuts are sure to impress with their simplicity and indulgence. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and treat yourself to the ultimate in baked donut perfection with this delightful recipe.