Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a pastry that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the fun shape and indulgence of a doughnut, then this Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine golden, crispy fried dough layered with luscious whipped vanilla bean cream and sweet strawberry jam, topped with a shiny glaze that makes each bite a heavenly experience. This treat feels like a real celebration for your taste buds and is surprisingly simple to make at home, turning any ordinary day into a special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in building layers of texture and flavor, from the crispiness of the puff pastry to the sweet, creamy filling. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed: Provides the perfectly buttery, flaky base that crisps up beautifully when fried.
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam: Adds a burst of fruity sweetness that complements the creamy filling.
- 1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste: Infuses the whipped cream with rich, aromatic vanilla flavor.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream: Whipped into fluffy perfection to create the light, velvety filling.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Used in the glaze for a smooth, sweet finish.
- 1 tablespoon milk: Helps thin out the glaze for easy drizzling.
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola): Essential for achieving that crispy, golden exterior typical of a true cronut.
How to Make Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Start by rolling out your thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Fold the dough into thirds, similar to folding a letter, and then roll it out again. This folding and rolling technique helps create those delicate, flaky layers that make cronuts irresistible.
Step 2: Cut the Dough
Use a 3 to 4-inch round cookie cutter to cut the dough into circles. Then, with a smaller cutter, punch out the centers to create your donut shapes. Place these carefully on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 20 minutes—this step ensures they hold their shape during frying.
Step 3: Fry the Cronuts
Heat your oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot. Fry the cronut rounds in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they puff up and turn a gorgeous golden brown. Once cooked, drain them on paper towels to remove any excess oil. This frying step is what gives cronuts their signature crunch with tender layers inside.
Step 4: Prepare the Filling
Warm the strawberry jam slightly in a small saucepan so it’s easy to spread. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream together with the scraped vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla bean paste) until you get soft peaks. The resulting vanilla bean whipped cream is light and aromatic, the perfect foil to the sweet jam.
Step 5: Assemble and Glaze
Allow the cronuts to cool a bit, then slice each one horizontally. Spread a generous layer of the whipped vanilla bean cream inside each cronut, followed by a spoonful of the warmed strawberry jam. Close the cronuts and finish with a simple glaze made by mixing powdered sugar and milk until smooth, drizzling it over the top for that classic, glossy touch.
How to Serve Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra layer of indulgence, try rolling the freshly fried cronuts in granulated sugar for a sparkling coating. You can also sprinkle a little crushed freeze-dried strawberry or a dusting of powdered sugar for a pop of color and flavor that dazzles the eye and palate.
Side Dishes
Serve your strawberry vanilla bean cronuts alongside a cup of rich coffee or a delicate cup of tea to complement the sweetness without overwhelming it. Fresh berries or a light fruit salad can also accompany this dessert nicely, balancing richness with a refreshing touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cronuts on a pretty cake stand for gatherings or place them in colorful paper liners for a charming homemade gift. For a playful twist, try sandwiching in other fillings like lemon curd or chocolate ganache, making this recipe a canvas for your creativity while still celebrating the classic elements.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cronuts left, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. Keep in mind that cronuts taste best fresh, as the crispy texture can soften over time.
Freezing
You can freeze unfilled cronut rounds before frying by wrapping them tightly and placing them in the freezer for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, fry them straight from frozen, then proceed with filling and glazing.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-out-of-the-fryer crispness, briefly reheat unfrosted cronuts in a toaster oven at 350°F for a few minutes before slicing and filling. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make pastries soggy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought whipped cream instead of making my own vanilla bean cream?
Absolutely! Using store-bought vanilla whipped cream is a great shortcut, especially on busy days. Just make sure it’s well chilled and fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Can I bake the cronuts instead of frying?
While you can bake the puff pastry rounds, frying is key to achieving the signature texture and taste of a cronut. Baking will result in a less crispy and more pastry-like finish.
What’s the best type of oil for frying cronuts?
Vegetable or canola oil is ideal since they have high smoke points and a neutral flavor that won’t compete with the delicate vanilla and strawberry notes.
Can I substitute another type of fruit jam?
Definitely! While strawberry jam pairs beautifully here, raspberry or apricot jams also make delicious alternatives that complement the vanilla bean cream.
How do I prevent the cronuts from getting soggy after filling?
Fill the cronuts just before serving and keep them on a rack rather than a solid surface to allow any moisture to escape. This helps maintain that crisp exterior you love.
Final Thoughts
Making this Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe at home is like bringing a little bakery magic to your kitchen. It’s fun, rewarding, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, these cronuts promise smiles and satisfied cravings. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite indulgence.
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Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 cronuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delightful Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut recipe combines the flaky layers of classic puff pastry with a luscious vanilla bean whipped cream and sweet strawberry jam filling. Fried to a golden perfection and glazed with a smooth sugary topping, these cronuts offer a perfect balance of crispiness and creamy sweetness, making them an irresistible treat for dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
For Frying
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself into thirds, like folding a letter. Roll again gently to smooth and achieve an even thickness.
- Cut Cronut Shapes: Use a 3–4-inch round cookie cutter to cut rounds from the dough. Then, use a smaller cutter to punch out the centers of each round, creating classic donut shapes. Place the cut cronuts on a baking sheet and freeze them for 20 minutes to help maintain their shape during frying.
- Heat Oil: Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the oil is hot enough for frying without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry Cronuts: Fry the cronuts in batches for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they puff up beautifully and turn a golden brown color. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Warm Jam: While the cronuts cool, gently warm the strawberry jam in a small saucepan until it becomes spreadable but not runny.
- Prepare Whipped Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream along with the scraped seeds from the vanilla bean or the vanilla bean paste until soft peaks form, creating a fragrant and fluffy filling.
- Make Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and milk together until smooth to create a shiny glaze for the cronuts.
- Assemble Cronuts: Once the cronuts are cool enough to handle, slice each cronut in half horizontally. Spread a generous spoonful of the vanilla bean whipped cream inside, followed by a layer of warmed strawberry jam. Close the cronuts carefully and drizzle or spread the glaze over the top.
- Serve: Serve the cronuts fresh for the best texture and flavor, enjoying the delightful contrast of flaky, creamy, and fruity layers.
Notes
- For added texture and sweetness, roll the cronuts in granulated sugar immediately after frying.
- To save time, you can use store-bought vanilla whipped cream and strawberry jam.
- Cronuts are best enjoyed on the same day they are made for optimal freshness and crispness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Pastry
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French-American
