Homemade Cronuts

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Granulated sugar, for rolling Granulated sugar, for rolling
• Filling of your choice (e.g., vanilla custard, chocolate ganache, fruit compote) Filling of your choice (e.g., vanilla custard, chocolate ganache, fruit compote)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 10g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
7. 7.
   Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and then roll it out again into a rectangle.
8. 8.
   Repeat the folding and rolling process two more times.
9. 9.
   After the final fold, cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
10. 10.
    On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch.
11. 11.
    Use a round cutter to cut out Cronut shapes, and then use a smaller cutter to remove the center of each Cronut.
12. 12.
    Place the Cronuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
13. 13.
    Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
14. 14.
    Carefully lower the Cronuts into the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
15. 15.
    Remove the Cronuts from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
16. 16.
    Roll the warm Cronuts in granulated sugar until coated.
17. 17.
    Once the Cronuts have cooled, fill them with your desired filling using a piping bag or a small spoon.
18. 18.
    Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Butter — Make sure the butter is at room temperature before incorporating it into the dough to ensure proper incorporation and a flaky texture.
• Vegetable oil — Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, for frying the Cronuts.
• Filling — When filling the Cronuts, make sure the filling is cooled to room temperature to prevent the pastry from becoming soggy.
• Active dry yeast — Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar before adding it to the dough mixture.
• Granulated sugar — Use fine granulated sugar for rolling the Cronuts to ensure an even coating.

Tips & Tricks

• For a shortcut, you can use store-bought puff pastry instead of making the laminated dough from scratch.
• Experiment with different fillings such as Nutella, lemon curd, or salted caramel for a unique twist.
• Dust the Cronuts with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
• To achieve a flaky texture, make sure to handle the dough gently and avoid overworking it.
• If you don't have a round cutter, you can use a glass or a jar lid to cut out the Cronut shapes.

Serving advice

Serve the Cronuts warm for the best experience. They are perfect for breakfast or brunch, accompanied by a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Cronuts on a platter and dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. You can also drizzle them with a glaze or chocolate sauce for added visual appeal.