Flaky Pastry Magic

Featured in Irresistible Desserts.

Create the famous croissant-doughnut hybrid at home! These cronuts feature buttery, flaky layers filled with cream and coated in sugar for the perfect treat.

Casey
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:06:52 GMT
A stack of two cream-filled donuts dusted with powdered sugar, placed on a black plate. Pin it
A stack of two cream-filled donuts dusted with powdered sugar, placed on a black plate. | cookingwithcasey.com

Let me share my recipe for amazing Homemade Cronuts! These treats combine everything wonderful about flaky croissants and sweet doughnuts into one incredible pastry. With their creamy filling and sugary coating they're perfect for special breakfasts or dessert. I love making these when I want to really wow my family and friends.

What Makes These So Special

What I love about cronuts is how those buttery flaky layers meet sweet doughnut goodness in every bite. The creamy filling takes them over the top and that light sugar coating makes them absolutely irresistible. They're truly the best of both worlds!

What You'll Need

  • For the Dough:
    • All-purpose flour (2 cups)
    • Sugar (1/4 cup)
    • Salt (1 teaspoon)
    • Cold cubed butter (1/2 cup)
    • Warm milk (1/2 cup)
    • Active dry yeast (1 packet)
    • One fresh egg
    • Pure vanilla extract
  • For Cooking & Finishing:
    • Vegetable oil for frying
    • Sugar for coating
    • Pastry cream or whipped cream for filling

Let's Make Some Magic

Wake Up the Yeast:
Let it get foamy in warm milk this makes our dough light.
Start the Dough:
Mix your dry ingredients cut in that cold butter until crumbly.
Bring It Together:
Add wet ingredients knead until smooth about 5-7 minutes.
Chill Time:
Wrap it up let it rest in the fridge at least an hour.
Create Those Layers:
Roll fold roll fold roll fold with chilling between.
Shape and Rise:
Cut into doughnuts let them get puffy about 30 minutes.
Time to Fry:
Golden brown on both sides in 350°F oil drain well.
Final Touch:
Roll in sugar fill with cream they're ready to enjoy!

Keep Them Perfect

These are best enjoyed warm right after filling. If you need to store them keep them at room temperature just for a day. Want to make ahead? Store your filling separately and fill just before serving.

Mix It Up

Try different fillings like fruit jam or flavored creams. Always keep an eye on your oil temperature for perfect frying. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or quick glaze makes them extra special.

A close-up of three cream-filled, glazed donuts dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of three cream-filled, glazed donuts dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate. | cookingwithcasey.com

Tips from the Pros

I've learned from the best - fold multiple times like Chef Ansel for perfect layers chill well like Chef Saffitz says and don't skimp on the filling just like Chef Olson recommends.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why refrigerate the dough?

Cold dough helps create distinct, flaky layers when folded and rolled.

→ What's the best oil temperature?

Keep oil at 350°F for perfect cooking - too hot browns outside before inside cooks.

→ Can I make these ahead?

Best served same day. Fill just before serving to prevent soggy layers.

→ Why fold the dough multiple times?

Creates the signature flaky, croissant-like layers in final product.

→ Can I use different fillings?

Yes! Try chocolate cream, custard, or fruit filling instead of pastry cream.

Homemade Cronuts

These homemade cronuts combine the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape and sweetness of a doughnut. Filled with cream and rolled in sugar.

Prep Time
75 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
95 Minutes
By: Casey


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French American

Yield: 8 Servings (8)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour.
02 1/4 cup sugar.
03 1 tsp salt.
04 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed.
05 1/2 cup warm milk.
06 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast.
07 1 egg.
08 1 tsp vanilla extract.
09 2 cups vegetable oil for frying.
10 1/2 cup sugar for coating.
11 1 cup pastry cream or whipped cream.
12 1 tbsp vanilla extract.

Instructions

Step 01

Dissolve yeast in warm milk, let sit 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Mix flour, sugar, salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.

Step 03

Add yeast mixture, egg, vanilla. Mix to form soft dough.

Step 04

Knead 5-7 minutes until smooth.

Step 05

Wrap, refrigerate 1 hour.

Step 06

Roll dough to rectangle, fold like letter. Repeat 3 times.

Step 07

Cut doughnut shapes, let rise 30 minutes.

Step 08

Heat oil to 350°F. Fry 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 09

Roll in sugar, fill with cream.

Notes

  1. Keep dough cold for flaky layers.
  2. Maintain oil temperature for even cooking.
  3. Best eaten same day.
  4. Can use various fillings.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl.
  • Rolling pin.
  • Round cutter.
  • Deep pot.
  • Thermometer.
  • Piping bag.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat/Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 380
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 5 g