Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe
Delight in these light and airy Strawberry Glazed French Crullers, featuring a perfectly crispy choux pastry dough fried to golden perfection and dipped in a luscious homemade strawberry glaze. Finished with a sprinkle of strawberry sugar, these crullers are an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 34 minutes
- Total Time: 54 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
French Crullers
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Whole Milk
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 1/3 cup Bread Flour
- 4 Large Eggs
- Vegetable or Canola Oil (for frying, enough to fill fryer or deep skillet halfway)
Strawberry Glaze
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
- ¼ cup Fresh Strawberries (cut and mashed or pureed)
- 3–4 tbsp Whole Milk
Strawberry Sugar
- ½ cup Freeze Dried Strawberries (processed into fine bits)
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- Prepare Parchment Squares: Cut parchment paper into 18 squares measuring 4″ x 4″ each. Optionally, trace a circle 3 to 3½ inches in diameter onto each square for piping guidance, then set aside.
- Make Dough Base: In a medium saucepan, combine water, whole milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until mixture boils without overflowing.
- Add Flour and Cook Paste: Remove pan from heat and vigorously stir in bread flour with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Return to medium-high heat and stir continuously, pressing dough against pan sides until the mixture forms a thick, smooth paste that pulls away cleanly from the pan.
- Cool Dough: Transfer dough to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until steam dissipates and dough cools slightly.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition and scraping down bowl sides to ensure full incorporation. The dough should become smooth, glossy, thick, and elastic. Test by lifting paddle to check for a stable ‘V’ shape or stretch between fingers without breaking.
- Pipe Crullers: Transfer dough into a large piping bag with a large star tip. Lightly spray a large baking sheet and the parchment squares with baking spray. Place parchment squares spray-side down onto the sheet. Pipe closed rings of dough onto each square using the traced circles as a guide.
- Heat Oil: Preheat vegetable or canola oil in a deep fryer, deep skillet, or large saucepan to 370°F. Use enough oil to fill pan halfway (2-3 inches) and a thermometer to monitor temperature.
- Fry Crullers: Carefully place 2-3 crullers with parchment paper into hot oil paper-side up. Fry for about 45 seconds to loosen the paper, then remove the paper using tongs.
- Continue Frying: Fry crullers for 2-3 minutes per side or until medium golden brown and crisp. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and cool.
- Glaze Crullers: Once cool enough to handle, dip each cruller into the prepared strawberry glaze, then sprinkle with strawberry sugar. Return to the cooling rack for glazing to set.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the strawberry glazed French crullers immediately for best texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Make Strawberry Glaze: Puree fresh sliced strawberries using a food processor or mash by hand. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and 3 tablespoons whole milk; add an extra tablespoon if needed until smooth.
- Prepare Strawberry Sugar: Process freeze-dried strawberries into fine bits using a food processor. Combine with granulated sugar and pulse to mix evenly. Store in an airtight container for future use.
Notes
- Maintain oil temperature at 370°F to ensure crullers cook evenly and achieve the right crispness without absorbing excess oil.
- Be sure to remove parchment paper shortly after placing crullers in the hot oil to avoid burning the paper and affecting flavor.
- The elasticity and smoothness of the dough is essential for piping; if batter breaks easily, eggs may need to be beaten in more thoroughly.
- Strawberry glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more or less milk according to preference.
- Fresh strawberry puree adds authentic flavor, but glazed crullers are also delicious with plain powdered sugar in a pinch.
- Crullers are best eaten fresh; refrigeration can cause loss of crispness.
Keywords: French crullers, strawberry glaze, fried doughnuts, choux pastry, strawberry sugar, dessert, French pastry