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These Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are a luxurious pastry that combines the best features of croissants and donuts. Made famous by Dominique Ansel, these cronuts are crispy and flaky on the outside, with a soft and airy interior. Filled with creamy vanilla bean pastry cream and homemade strawberry jam, then topped with strawberry sugar, they are a decadent treat. The process may be intricate, but the reward is worth every step. Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying lamination for the first time, these cronuts are sure to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cronut Dough:

250g bread flour
250g all-purpose flour
15g instant yeast
12g kosher salt
40g granulated sugar
65g egg whites (approximately 2)
190g water or milk
100g unsalted butter (cubed, softened)

For the Lamination (Tourage):

125g unsalted butter (softened)

For the Strawberry Jam:

1 recipe for homemade strawberry jam (recipe linked on the site)

For the Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream:

250g whole milk
50g granulated sugar
20g egg yolk (approximately 1)
50g whole egg (approximately 1)
3g vanilla paste (or extract)
15g all-purpose flour
15g cornstarch

For the Strawberry Sugar:

50g freeze-dried strawberries (crushed into a fine powder)
67g granulated sugar

For Frying:

Canola oil, palm oil, or grapeseed oil

Directions

Make the Cronut Dough (Day 1):
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine both flours, sugar, salt, and yeast (keep yeast away from salt). Gradually add water or milk. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Add egg whites and butter, then continue kneading for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides. Perform the windowpane test to ensure proper gluten development. Let the dough proof for 90 minutes, then refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
Lamination (Day 2):
Roll out the dough into a long rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough and fold it into thirds. Perform three single turns, chilling for 30 minutes between each turn. After the final turn, refrigerate for one hour, then roll the dough out into a 16″ x 8.5″ rectangle. Refrigerate overnight.
Prepare Fillings (Day 2):
Strawberry Jam: Make the jam by macerating sliced strawberries with sugar, then cook until thickened and strain. Cool before using.
Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream: Heat milk and vanilla paste to a boil. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, eggs, sugar, flour, and cornstarch. Temper with hot milk, return to the heat, and whisk until thickened. Cool before using.
Shape and Fry the Cronuts (Day 3):
Roll out the chilled dough and cut 8 circles using a 3.5″ cutter, then cut a smaller hole in the center for the donut holes. Let the dough proof for 90 minutes, then chill for 30 minutes. Heat oil to 375°F and fry the cronuts and donut holes for 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
Fill and Assemble:
Once cooled, roll the cronuts in strawberry sugar. Using a Bismark piping tip, fill the cronuts with strawberry jam, followed by vanilla bean pastry cream. Top with more pastry cream and fresh strawberries.

Nutrients (per serving, approximate)

Calories: 390 kcal
Carbohydrates: 50g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 220mg
Potassium: 150mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 30g
Vitamin A: 220 IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 30mg
Iron: 2mg

The Process Behind Making Cronuts

Making cronuts is a multi-step process that requires patience and attention to detail. The dough itself is a hybrid between croissant dough and dough used for donuts, meaning it’s rich, buttery, and requires a careful lamination process. Lamination, which involves folding butter into dough in layers, is crucial for achieving the signature flaky texture of cronuts. While the process might seem intricate, the end result is a pastry that is well worth the effort. The delicate layers that form during lamination create a crisp outer shell while maintaining a soft, airy interior that is perfect for holding the delicious fillings.

A Deliciously Flaky Dough

The base of any great cronut is the dough, which forms the foundation of its delicious texture. This dough begins with a simple mixture of bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and egg whites. The addition of egg whites helps create a slightly lighter, airier texture, which contributes to the delicate flakiness of the finished pastry. Once mixed, the dough is left to proof and then chilled for a few hours or overnight. This resting time allows the gluten to develop and the dough to become easier to work with during the lamination process. After the dough has rested, it is rolled out and butter is added before the dough is folded into thirds, a technique that is repeated several times. The more layers you create, the flakier and more delicate the final pastry will be.

The Sweet and Tangy Strawberry Jam

The filling for the cronuts is one of the highlights of this recipe. Homemade strawberry jam is made by macerating fresh strawberries with sugar and cooking the mixture until it thickens into a syrupy consistency. This jam is then strained to remove any seeds, leaving behind a smooth, intensely fruity filling that pairs beautifully with the vanilla bean pastry cream. The homemade strawberry jam adds a natural sweetness and a vibrant burst of flavor that contrasts perfectly with the rich creaminess of the vanilla bean filling. The fresh strawberries also contribute to the overall fruity flavor, adding freshness and color to the final presentation of the dish.

Rich Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream

The vanilla bean pastry cream is another key component of these cronuts. Made from whole milk, eggs, sugar, and cornstarch, the pastry cream is thickened on the stovetop before being cooled and used as the perfect filling for the cronuts. The addition of vanilla bean paste elevates the flavor profile of the cream, adding a subtle yet aromatic depth that complements the sweetness of the jam. The pastry cream is rich and velvety, and when piped into the crispy, fried cronuts, it adds a luxurious texture that contrasts beautifully with the crisp exterior. The combination of the creamy, sweet vanilla and the tangy strawberry jam creates a harmonious balance of flavors in every bite.

Strawberry Sugar for Extra Sweetness

To finish off the cronuts, they are rolled in a mixture of crushed freeze-dried strawberries and granulated sugar, creating a flavorful strawberry sugar coating. This adds an additional layer of sweetness and texture to the cronuts, as well as a hint of tartness from the freeze-dried strawberries. The strawberry sugar also adds a pop of color, making the cronuts visually stunning and enticing. This final touch of sweetness helps to balance the richness of the cream and jam, creating a well-rounded dessert that is both indulgent and refreshing.

Frying the Cronuts to Perfection

Frying the cronuts is where the magic truly happens. The dough is carefully cut into circles and fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. The frying process ensures that the cronuts develop a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, fluffy interior. Each bite of the cronut offers a satisfying crunch followed by a tender, airy center that holds the sweet fillings. The key to achieving the perfect fry is maintaining the right oil temperature—around 375°F—so that the cronuts cook evenly and don’t absorb too much oil. The frying process, while seemingly simple, is what gives the cronuts their signature texture and indulgence.

Assembling the Cronuts

Once the cronuts have been fried and cooled, they are filled with the homemade strawberry jam and vanilla bean pastry cream. The cronuts are first injected with a generous amount of the strawberry jam, followed by the pastry cream, creating a decadent, layered filling that will melt in your mouth with every bite. The cronuts are then topped with more pastry cream, fresh strawberries, and a final drizzle of honeycomb, which adds both flavor and texture to the finished pastry. The honeycomb, which is naturally sweet and crunchy, enhances the flavor of the jam and cream, adding an extra level of luxury to the dessert. The finished cronuts are not only visually stunning but also packed with flavor and texture, making them the perfect dessert for any special occasion.

Impressing Guests with a Stunning Dessert

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are the perfect way to impress your guests with a visually stunning and indulgent dessert. Whether served at a dinner party, brunch, or special occasion, these cronuts will wow your guests with their perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crispy, flaky exterior and the creamy, sweet filling create a memorable eating experience, while the vibrant colors from the strawberry jam and fresh fruit add an extra element of beauty to the dish. The process may be intricate, but the reward is certainly worth the effort, and your guests will undoubtedly appreciate the time and care that went into making such a special treat.

The Intricacies of Lamination and Dough Preparation

While the process of making cronuts may be time-consuming and requires some attention to detail, the results are truly spectacular. The technique of lamination is key to achieving the signature flaky texture of cronuts. Lamination, which involves folding butter into the dough multiple times, creates the delicate layers that give the pastry its light, airy texture. This technique can be challenging for first-time bakers, but with practice and patience, it’s possible to create a professional-quality pastry at home. By following the instructions carefully and taking the time to properly chill the dough between turns, you can master the art of lamination and create cronuts that rival those made in bakeries.

Customizing the Recipe for Personal Taste

Although the classic Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut recipe is already a flavor-packed treat, there’s always room for customization. If you’re looking to experiment with different flavors, you can try using other fruits like raspberry, blueberry, or peach for the jam filling. You could also swap out the vanilla bean pastry cream for a different flavor, such as chocolate, coffee, or citrus. For a more decadent twist, you could drizzle caramel or ganache over the top of the cronuts, or even add a dusting of edible gold for an extra touch of elegance. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to make this recipe your own based on your personal preferences or seasonal ingredients.

Conclusion

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are a luxurious and indulgent pastry that combines the best elements of croissants and donuts into one stunning dessert. The process of making these cronuts—while intricate—is incredibly rewarding, yielding a pastry with layers of flaky texture, creamy filling, and a burst of fruity sweetness. The combination of homemade strawberry jam, vanilla bean pastry cream, and the final topping of honeycomb and strawberry sugar creates a perfectly balanced dessert that is both beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply want to treat yourself to a special dessert, Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronuts are sure to leave a lasting impression.

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