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Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

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Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are a delightful combination of buttery, flaky croissant dough and the sweetness of a classic donut. Filled with luscious strawberry jam and rich vanilla bean pastry cream, these cronuts are finished with a glossy glaze and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for the ultimate indulgence. Perfect for special occasions or when you simply want to elevate your breakfast or dessert game.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Combines the best of croissants and donuts in one treat.
  • Bursting with fresh strawberry and vanilla bean flavors.
  • Perfectly flaky, buttery layers with a light and airy texture.
  • A fun and unique baking project that will wow your family and friends.
  • Can be customized with your favorite fillings or toppings.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Active dry yeast
  • Whole milk
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla bean paste
  • Fresh strawberries (or strawberry jam)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Heavy cream

Directions

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut this Recipe
  1. Prepare the Dough: Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add in warm milk and eggs, and knead until a soft dough forms. Let it rise for 1 hour.
  2. Create the Butter Block: Roll out the butter into a square and chill.
  3. Laminate the Dough: Roll out the dough, place the butter block in the center, and fold. Roll and fold the dough multiple times to create flaky layers, chilling between each fold.
  4. Cut and Shape: Roll out the dough and cut into donut shapes. Let the cronuts rise for 1-2 hours until puffed.
  5. Fry the Cronuts: Heat oil in a deep pan to 350ยฐF and fry the cronuts until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Make the Fillings: Prepare the vanilla bean pastry cream and strawberry jam or filling.
  7. Assemble the Cronuts: Use a piping bag to fill the cronuts with the vanilla bean pastry cream and strawberry filling.
  8. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the cronuts with a simple powdered sugar glaze, dust with additional powdered sugar, and serve.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes 12 cronuts.
  • Prep Time: 3 hours (includes chilling and rising time).
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Variations

  • Chocolate Lovers: Swap the strawberry filling for chocolate ganache and drizzle with chocolate glaze.
  • Citrus Twist: Add a hint of lemon or orange zest to the pastry cream for a zesty flavor.
  • Berry Medley: Use a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for the filling.
  • Savory Option: Fill with herbed cream cheese and top with savory spices for a unique twist.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftover cronuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300ยฐF for 5-7 minutes to restore the flakiness. Avoid microwaving, as it may make them soggy.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight.

2. Can I bake cronuts instead of frying them?

While frying gives the authentic texture, you can bake them at 375ยฐF for about 15-18 minutes for a slightly different, yet delicious result.

3. How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the oil stays at 350ยฐF. Too hot will burn the cronuts, and too cool will make them greasy.

4. Can I use store-bought croissant dough?

Yes, store-bought dough can save time, but homemade dough yields the best flavor and texture.

5. What other fillings work for cronuts?

Custards, jams, Nutella, or even whipped cream work wonderfully as fillings.

6. Do I need a special tool to cut the cronuts?

A round cutter and a smaller cutter for the center work fine, but you can also use jars or cups if needed.

7. Can I freeze cronuts?

Yes, you can freeze fried, unfilled cronuts for up to 1 month. Reheat before filling and glazing.

8. How do I prevent the butter from leaking out during lamination?

Keep the dough and butter cold, and work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.

9. Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend designed for pastries, but expect slight differences in texture.

10. How can I decorate the cronuts?

Drizzle with glaze, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or add edible flowers or sprinkles for a decorative touch.

Conclusion

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are a stunning dessert or breakfast option thatโ€™s sure to impress. With their flaky layers, rich fillings, and delightful flavors, they bring a gourmet bakery experience right into your kitchen. Whether you’re making them for a celebration or just to treat yourself, these cronuts are worth every step of the process. Try them today and savor the perfect balance of strawberries, vanilla, and buttery pastry!

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Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

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  • Author: KimEasy
  • Prep Time: 2 hours (including chilling)
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8โ€“10 cronuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: French-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

A decadent hybrid of a croissant and doughnut, these Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are buttery, flaky, and irresistibly sweet. The cronut is filled with a luscious vanilla bean pastry cream and topped with a fresh strawberry glaze, making each bite a perfect blend of creamy, fruity, and crisp.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Dough:

  • 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) warm milk (110ยฐF/45ยฐC)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into thin slices

For the Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream:

  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) whole milk
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped) or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Strawberry Glaze:

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tablespoons strawberry puree (blended fresh strawberries)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Optional Toppings:

  • Fresh strawberry slices
  • Sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried strawberries

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. Dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Add to the dry ingredients along with melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5โ€“7 minutes until smooth. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Incorporate Butter Layers:

  1. Roll out the dough into a rectangle (about 10×15 inches).
  2. Layer the cold butter slices over two-thirds of the dough. Fold the unbuttered third over the center, then fold the remaining third over that (like folding a letter).
  3. Chill for 30 minutes, then repeat the rolling and folding process 4 times, chilling between each fold.

3. Shape the Cronuts:

  1. Roll the dough to ยฝ-inch thickness and use a round cutter to cut out doughnut shapes. Use a smaller cutter for the center.
  2. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

4. Fry the Cronuts:

  1. Heat oil to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) in a deep pot. Fry cronuts in batches for 2โ€“3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack.

5. Make the Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream:

  1. In a saucepan, heat milk and vanilla bean seeds until simmering.
  2. In a bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly add the hot milk, whisking constantly.
  3. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir in butter and let cool completely.

6. Make the Strawberry Glaze:

  1. Mix powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust consistency with more puree or powdered sugar.

7. Assemble the Cronuts:

  1. Pipe the cooled pastry cream into the center of each cronut.
  2. Dip the tops into the strawberry glaze. Garnish with fresh strawberries, sprinkles, or crushed freeze-dried strawberries.

Notes

  • For extra flakiness, make sure your butter stays cold during the folding process.
  • Store cronuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days, though theyโ€™re best enjoyed fresh.

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