The cronut is a delectable pastry that combines the flakiness of a croissant with the sweetness of a donut. This recipe will guide you through creating these delightful treats at home.
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cubed
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Make the Dough: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, water, and apple cider vinegar. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times until smooth. Form the dough into a rectangle, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Roll out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Fold the dough in thirds like a business letter, then rotate it 90 degrees. Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times. Wrap the dough again and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape the Cronuts: Roll out the dough again to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out donut shapes using a donut cutter or a round cookie cutter and a smaller round cutter in the center for the hole.
- Fry the Cronuts: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully place the cronuts in the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Glaze (optional): While the cronuts are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze. Dip the tops of the cronuts into the glaze, letting any excess drip off.
- Serve: Let the cronuts cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Make sure the butter is cold before cutting it into the dough. This will help create a flaky texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cronuts tough.
- If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use a round cookie cutter and a smaller round cutter to create the donut shape.
- You can adjust the glaze consistency to your preference. For a thinner glaze, add more milk. For a thicker glaze, add less milk.
- Cronuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.