Dreamy Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe for Pastry Lovers

Pastry lovers unite for a decadent strawberry vanilla bean cronut that blends the best of donuts and croissants.

This indulgent treat merges flaky layers with sweet, luxurious flavors.

Delicate vanilla beans dance through buttery, crisp pastry, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will adore this sophisticated dessert.

The strawberry elements add a bright, fresh dimension to each incredible bite.

Crisp exterior and soft interior promise a sensational texture that delights the senses.

Dive into this extraordinary pastry adventure and savor every delectable moment.

Storage Tips For Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Layers

• Quick Chill Strategy: Freeze cronuts for 30 minutes before frying to maintain their delicate layered structure and prevent butter from melting.
• Smart Storage Solution: Keep finished cronuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring they remain fresh and crispy.
• Refrigeration Tip: If storing filled strawberry vanilla cronuts, place them in a sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cronut dough and cut shapes in advance, then freeze unbaked cronuts for up to one week. When ready to serve, thaw briefly and fry directly from frozen state for maximum convenience and freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients For Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut That Shine

• Puff Pastry Sheets: Delicate layers create the flaky, buttery foundation of your cronut with restaurant-quality texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Ensures smooth rolling and prevents sticking during pastry preparation.

• Egg Wash: Helps layers adhere perfectly and provides golden, glossy finish during baking.

• Vanilla Bean: Adds sophisticated, rich aromatic essence with deep, complex sweetness.
• Strawberries: Brings vibrant, fresh fruity notes and natural sweetness to complement the pastry.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant dusting and adds delicate sweetness to the final presentation.

Tools You’ll Need For Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

• Large rolling pin: Essential for evenly rolling out puff pastry to the right thickness.
• 3-inch round cutter: Perfect for cutting precise cronut base circles.
• 1-inch round cutter: Needed to create the signature cronut hole in the center.
• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for freezing and preparing cronuts.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying thin egg wash between pastry layers.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for trimming edges or making precise cuts if needed.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cronuts from sticking to the baking sheet during freezing.

Steps To Fry And Fill Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

• Pastry Surface Prep Rolling out delicate puff pastry requires a gentle touch. Sprinkle a whisper of flour across your workspace to prevent sticking and create a smooth foundation for your culinary adventure.
• Layering Magic Carefully stack two pastry sheets, creating a delectable sandwich of buttery goodness. A light brush of silky egg wash will bond the layers together, promising a flaky, irresistible texture.
• Shaping Delights Grab your trusty round cutters and transform the pastry into beautiful circular shapes. The larger cutter creates the main body, while the smaller one carves out the classic doughnut center, giving your cronut its signature look.
• Chilling Time Pop your newly formed pastry rings into the freezer. This crucial resting period allows the delicate layers to firm up, ensuring a perfectly crisp and golden result when you're ready to fry or bake.

Creative Twists For Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Flavor

• Flavor Fusion Trick: Enhance the strawberry vanilla essence by adding a pinch of ground cardamom to the pastry layers, creating a sophisticated and unexpected depth of flavor that complements the sweet strawberry filling.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional puff pastry with a gluten-free alternative made from almond or coconut flour to make this recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising the delicate, flaky texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cronut dough up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated, allowing the flavors to develop and making morning preparation a breeze for busy bakers.
• Vegan Transformation: Swap egg wash with plant-based milk and use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil in place of butter to create a completely vegan version that's equally decadent and crispy.
• Storage Secret: Store cronuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, placing a piece of parchment paper between each pastry to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate, crisp texture.

Ways To Serve Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Fancy

• Sweet Brunch Centerpiece: Create an elegant display by arranging cronuts on a rustic wooden board with fresh strawberry halves and a light dusting of powdered sugar, perfect for weekend gatherings.
• Dessert Companion: Pair these delicate pastries with a chilled glass of prosecco or a creamy vanilla latte to enhance the vanilla bean flavor and create a luxurious tasting experience.
• Decorative Garnish: Top each cronut with a whole fresh strawberry and a small mint leaf for a pop of color and an extra burst of fresh, fruity flavor that complements the vanilla notes.
• Individual Presentation: Serve each cronut on a small white plate with a drizzle of strawberry coulis and a delicate edible flower for an Instagram-worthy gourmet touch that elevates the dessert.

Crispy Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Delectable strawberry vanilla bean cronuts merge Parisian pastry technique with New York City innovation. Flaky, buttery layers promise a luxurious dessert experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry
• 3 cups (720 ml/24 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) whole milk
• 2 tbsps freeze-dried strawberry powder (or ¼ cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries)
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 whole egg
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ vanilla bean pod (or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsps milk
• 1 tbsp water
• Fresh strawberry slices
• Powdered sugar
• White chocolate drizzle

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Dust work surface with flour and unfold puff pastry sheets, ensuring a clean, smooth foundation for crafting delicate cronuts.
2. Layering: Stack pastry sheets, brushing a thin layer of egg wash between each to create a cohesive, flaky texture that will elevate the final pastry.
3. Shaping: Utilize a 3-inch circular cutter to create elegant rounds, then carefully remove the center with a 1-inch cutter to form the iconic cronut shape, revealing its distinctive ring design.
4. Chilling: Position the crafted pastry rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes, allowing the intricate layers to set and maintain structural integrity.
5. Frying: Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, carefully lowering the chilled cronut rings into the golden, bubbling oil until they transform into a rich, amber-brown hue.
6. Draining: Transfer fried cronuts to a wire rack lined with paper towels, allowing excess oil to drip away and ensuring a crisp, light texture.
7. Filling: Once cooled, inject a luscious strawberry vanilla bean cream into the center of each cronut, using a piping bag with a slender tip to distribute the filling evenly.
8. Glazing: Prepare a vibrant strawberry glaze and delicately drizzle over the cronuts, creating a glossy, appetizing finish that enhances both visual appeal and flavor profile.
9. Garnishing: Sprinkle with fresh strawberry pieces and a light dusting of powdered sugar, adding a final touch of elegance and complementary sweetness to the decadent pastry.

Notes

• Maintain Precise Temperature: Keep pastry chilled between 35-40°F to preserve delicate layering and prevent butter from melting during preparation.
• Handle Pastry Gently: Use light, minimal touch when working with puff pastry to prevent breaking or compressing the delicate layers that create signature flakiness.
• Control Egg Wash Application: Apply egg wash sparingly with a soft brush, ensuring even coating without pooling that could weigh down or deflate the pastry structure.
• Freezing is Critical: Allowing cronuts to rest in freezer for minimum 30 minutes helps stabilize butter layers, creating those signature crisp, airy textures during baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg