If you’re looking to brighten up your breakfast or elevate your dessert game, the Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe is an absolute showstopper. This delightful twist on classic French crullers features light, airy, and crisply fried dough rings generously coated with a luscious strawberry glaze that’s bursting with fresh fruit flavor. It’s the perfect marriage of delicate texture and vibrant sweetness that will have everyone asking for seconds — or thirds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cruller and glaze. From the butter that adds richness to the flour that gives structure, each one is simple but essential for that pleasing balance of taste, texture, and eye-catching appeal.
- 1 cup water: The base for your dough, ensuring it’s light and soft.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor while helping the dough come together.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the dough for that classic cruller texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dough without overwhelming it.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, subtle sweetness to the cruller dough.
- 3 large eggs: Key for creating a light, airy dough that puffs perfectly when fried.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Necessary for that golden, crispy exterior.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the glaze while keeping it smooth and glossy.
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam: The star ingredient in the glaze, delivering fresh strawberry flavor.
- 2 teaspoons milk: Helps thin out the glaze to just the right consistency.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Heightens the aroma and taste of the strawberry glaze.
How to Make Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by bringing the water and butter to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Once it boils, quickly stir in the flour and salt until the mixture pulls away from the pan and forms a smooth dough. Let it cool for about five minutes so the eggs don’t scramble when added. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time until the dough is silky smooth. Finish by mixing in the vanilla extract for that subtle aromatic note.
Step 2: Fry the Crullers
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy pot until it reaches 375°F (190°C) — this high temperature is essential for achieving that perfect golden crispiness. Transfer your dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or simply use a plastic bag with a corner snipped off) for easy shaping. Pipe dough rings roughly three inches in diameter directly into the hot oil, frying each side for 2 to 3 minutes until beautifully golden. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil but keep that satisfying crunch.
Step 3: Mix the Strawberry Glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry jam, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until you get a smooth, glossy glaze. The thickness should be just right to coat the crullers without dripping endlessly — add extra milk if you need it thinner or more powdered sugar if you want it thicker.
Step 4: Glaze the Crullers
Gently dip the top of each warm cruller into the strawberry glaze, coating it fully. Set the glazed crullers on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set for a few minutes. The glaze will harden slightly, giving you a beautiful shiny finish packed with vibrant berry flavor.
How to Serve Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of charm and flavor, add fresh sliced strawberries or a sprinkle of finely chopped mint leaves on top of the glaze. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also make your crullers look picture-perfect and add a hint of extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
These crullers are divine on their own, but pairing them with a cup of hot coffee or a freshly brewed tea elevates the experience. You can also serve them alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt for a balanced and colorful breakfast or brunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few glazed crullers and threading them on a decorative skewer for a fun party treat. Another fresh idea is to serve them with a small bowl of strawberry jam or whipped cream for dipping, turning each bite into a playful indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any crullers left over, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keeping the glaze intact for longer may be tricky, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh or within this short window to preserve their crisp texture.
Freezing
You can freeze plain, unfrosted crullers by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature and re-fry briefly to refresh the crispy texture before glazing.
Reheating
To bring back the freshly fried crispness, gently warm leftover crullers in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it will soften the dough and glaze. After reheating, apply the strawberry glaze just before serving for maximum freshness.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam for the glaze?
Absolutely! You can mash fresh strawberries and strain them to create a similar effect for your glaze. Just mix the juice with powdered sugar and a little milk until you reach the desired consistency. It will create a fresher, albeit slightly less sweet, glaze.
Is it possible to bake crullers instead of frying?
Traditional French crullers rely on frying for their signature texture. Baking won’t yield the same crisp exterior or airy inside, but if you try baking, use a piping bag to shape dough on a parchment-lined tray and bake at 425°F (220°C) until puffed and lightly golden. The texture will be different but still tasty!
How do I prevent crullers from absorbing too much oil?
Make sure your oil is at the right temperature of 375°F (190°C) before frying. If it’s too cool, the crullers will soak up more oil. Also, fry in small batches to maintain temperature consistency. Draining crullers on paper towels immediately helps remove excess oil too.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to prepare and fry the dough the same day for the freshest results. However, you can make the dough and keep it covered at room temperature for an hour or so if necessary. Refrigerating the dough is not recommended as it can affect the texture and rise.
What’s the best way to pipe the crullers if I don’t have a star tip?
If you don’t have a star tip, a large round piping tip works fine too, though you may lose some of the classic ridged shape. Alternatively, use a plastic sandwich bag and snip one corner about an inch wide, piping in a circular motion for beautiful shapes.
Final Thoughts
Sharing the Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe with you feels like inviting you into my kitchen for one of my favorite treats. The balance of airy, crispy dough with the fresh, tangy sweetness of the strawberry glaze makes these crullers an unforgettable indulgence. Whether for a weekend brunch or a special dessert, I truly hope you give this recipe a try and fall in love with it as much as I have!
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Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Strawberry Glazed French Crullers are light and airy fried pastries with a delicate texture and a sweet, fruity glaze. This classic French-inspired recipe features a choux pastry dough that is piped in traditional cruller shapes, fried to golden perfection, then dipped in a luscious strawberry glaze for a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Crullers
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Strawberry Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Crullers: In a saucepan, bring the water and unsalted butter to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Let the dough cool slightly for about 5 minutes, then beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract to complete the dough.
- Fry the Crullers: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pot to 375°F (190°C). Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, or use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner cut off, with the dough. Carefully pipe the dough into 3-inch diameter donut shapes directly into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid crowding. Fry each side for 2 to 3 minutes until the crullers are golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Strawberry Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry jam, milk, and vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Add more milk if necessary to adjust the consistency for easy dipping.
- Glaze the Crullers: Dip the tops of each fried cruller into the strawberry glaze, ensuring full coverage. Place the glazed crullers on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can store leftover crullers in an airtight container for up to two days but they are best enjoyed fresh.
- If you don’t have a large star piping tip, using a sandwich bag with a corner snipped works well to pipe the dough.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 375°F to ensure crullers cook evenly without absorbing too much oil.
- Adjust the glaze thickness by adding a little more milk for a thinner glaze or powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
- Let the dough cool before adding eggs to avoid scrambling them.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
