These Homemade Cronuts combine the rich, flaky layers of a croissant with the crispy, golden goodness of a donut. Deep-fried to perfection and filled with creamy vanilla pastry cream or whipped cream, they are a decadent treat that’s worth the effort. Enjoy them warm, coated in sugar, for a bakery-style indulgence right at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flaky & Buttery Layers – Just like a croissant, but fried like a donut.
Perfectly Crispy & Golden – A delightful crunch with every bite.
Rich & Creamy Filling – Stuffed with smooth vanilla pastry cream or whipped cream.
Homemade Bakery Treat – No need to wait in long lines for this trendy dessert!
Customizable – Change the filling or toppings for a unique twist.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
½ cup milk, warmed
1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

For Coating

½ cup sugar

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. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Prepare the Dough

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

3. Mix & Knead

Pour in the yeast mixture, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.

4. Chill the Dough

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

5. Roll & Fold for Flaky Layers

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 buttery, flaky layers.

6. Cut & Rise

Use a round cutter to cut out donut shapes. Cover them with a clean cloth and let them rise for 30 minutes.

7. Fry the Cronuts

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

8. Coat & Fill

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

9. Serve & Enjoy!

Serve immediately for the ultimate crispy, creamy treat. Enjoy warm!

Servings and Timing

Servings: 6 cronuts
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Variations

Chocolate Lovers’ Cronuts: Fill with chocolate ganache and drizzle with melted chocolate.
Fruit-Filled Cronuts: Use strawberry or raspberry jam for a fruity surprise.
Cinnamon Sugar Twist: Coat in cinnamon sugar instead of plain sugar.
Glazed Cronuts: Dip in a vanilla or maple glaze for extra sweetness.
Nutella-Filled Cronuts: Inject Nutella for a delicious hazelnut-chocolate center.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Best eaten fresh!
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Freezing: Freeze unfilled cronuts for up to 1 month. Reheat before filling.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought puff pastry instead of making the dough?

Yes! Store-bought puff pastry saves time and still gives flaky layers.

What’s the best oil for frying cronuts?

Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil work best for a neutral flavor.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can, but they won’t have the same crispy texture. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18-20 minutes.

How do I know when the cronuts are done frying?

They should be golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Refrigerate the dough overnight and fry the next day.

Do I need to use a deep fryer?

No, a heavy-bottomed pot with a thermometer works just fine.

How do I keep my cronuts crispy?

Eat them fresh! If storing, reheat in the oven before serving.

Can I make a glaze instead of rolling in sugar?

Absolutely! A vanilla, chocolate, or maple glaze works great.

What’s the difference between a donut and a cronut?

Cronuts have croissant-like flaky layers, while donuts are soft and fluffy.

Can I fill cronuts with multiple flavors?

Yes! Use different fillings for variety—chocolate, jam, and vanilla cream are all great options.

Conclusion

These Homemade Cronuts are the ultimate crispy, flaky, and creamy pastry, blending the best of croissants and donuts into one delicious treat. Whether filled with vanilla pastry cream, chocolate, or fruit, they’re a must-try for any dessert lover. Make a batch today and enjoy bakery-style cronuts right from your kitchen!

Homemade Cronuts

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Author: asma
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 6 cronuts 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the ultimate homemade Cronuts, a flaky, buttery hybrid of croissants and doughnuts! These crispy, golden pastries are deep-fried to perfection, coated in sugar, and filled with pastry cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat. Perfect for weekend baking, brunch, or a special dessert, these easy step-by-step instructions will help you recreate this viral bakery favorite at home!

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

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

Step 3: Mix and Knead

Pour in the yeast mixture, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.

Step 4: Refrigerate the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 5: Roll and Fold (Laminating the Dough)

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

Step 6: Cut and Rise

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

Step 7: Fry the Cronuts

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

Step 8: Coat and Fill

Roll the warm cronuts in sugar for a sweet coating.
Using a piping bag, fill each cronut with pastry cream or whipped cream.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Enjoy fresh while warm for the best taste and texture!

Notes

For extra flavor, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sugar coating.
No pastry cream? Use Nutella, jam, or lemon curd as a filling.
To make ahead, refrigerate the dough overnight and fry fresh in the morning.
Storage: Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.

Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert, Pastry
Method: Frying
Cuisine: French-American