Homemade Cronuts Recipe

Homemade Cronuts Recipe

Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

- 1/2 cup milk, warmed

- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

- 1/2 cup sugar for coating

*For the Filling:*

- 1 cup pastry cream or whipped cream

- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. **Activate the Yeast:**

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes foamy.

2. **Prepare the Dough:**

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and cut them into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. **Mix and Knead:**

Pour the yeast mixture, egg, and vanilla extract into the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth.

4. **Refrigerate the Dough:**

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up.

5. **Roll and Fold:**

Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Fold it like a letter, then roll it out again. Repeat this folding process 3 times to create flaky layers in the cronuts.

6. **Cut and Rise:**

Use a round cutter to cut out doughnut shapes from the rolled dough. Cover the cut cronuts with a clean cloth and let them rise for 30 minutes.

7. **Fry the Cronuts:**

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the cronuts in small batches, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

8. **Coat and Fill:**

Roll the still-warm cronuts in sugar. Using a piping bag fitted with a small tip, fill each cronut with pastry cream or whipped cream.