Description
Indulge in a delightful French-American dessert with these homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts. Flaky puff pastry is fried to golden perfection, coated with a cinnamon-sugar blend, and filled with luscious strawberry jam and whipped vanilla bean cream. This recipe combines crispy texture with creamy sweetness for a decadent treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Frying
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 vanilla bean (seeds scraped) or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out to smooth the seams. Fold the dough into thirds like a letter to create layers, then roll it out again to approximately 1/2 inch thickness for ideal flakiness.
- Cut the Cronuts: Using a round cutter, cut out circles from the rolled pastry. Then, use a smaller cutter to remove the centers, forming classic donut shapes. Collect any scraps, re-roll, and cut additional cronuts as needed.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet, pour in the vegetable oil and heat it over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), ensuring the oil is hot enough for frying without burning.
- Fry the Cronuts: Carefully place the cronuts in the hot oil in batches, frying each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until they puff up and turn a beautiful golden brown. Remove the cronuts with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Toss the warm cronuts gently in this mixture, allowing the sugar to stick while the cronuts are still slightly oily and warm.
- Make the Vanilla Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with the vanilla bean seeds or vanilla bean paste and powdered sugar until soft peaks form, creating a smooth, fragrant filling.
- Assemble the Cronuts: Carefully slice each cronut horizontally in half. Spoon or pipe a generous layer of strawberry jam onto the bottom half, then add a dollop of the vanilla whipped cream on top. Place the top half of the cronut back on to complete the sandwich.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh strawberries for an added fresh burst of flavor and vibrant presentation. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and freshness.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use store-bought whipped cream and mix with a teaspoon of vanilla extract to replicate the vanilla bean flavor.
- These cronuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the skillet when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Maintain the oil temperature at around 350°F for crisp and evenly cooked cronuts.
