0 Shares

The moment my fork pierced through the glossy strawberry glaze, I knew I was in for a treat. Strawberry Glazed French Crullers are not just another pastry; they are an enchanting blend of fluffy, pillowy goodness wrapped in vibrant sweetness. With each bite, you experience the delightful crunch of the outer layer and the soft, warm vanilla-infused dough beneath.

Finding the perfect recipe for these crullers felt like discovering a little piece of heaven. I wanted something that would transport me beyond the monotony of fast food and into the warm embrace of homemade joy. Whether you’re indulging after a long day or impressing guests at a weekend brunch, these crullers are sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.

Don’t worry if you’ve never made dough before; this recipe guides you through each simple step. Let’s embark on a journey that combines comfort, flavor, and a touch of decadence—your new favorite treat awaits!

Why will you love Strawberry Glazed French Crullers?

Irresistible Taste: The luscious strawberry glaze on these crullers adds a burst of fruity sweetness to your palate.
Fluffy Texture: Each cruller is light and airy, giving you that delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Homemade Goodness: You’ll savor the satisfaction of creating a gourmet treat from scratch with simple ingredients.
Eye-Catching Presentation: The vibrant color and shape make these crullers an Instagram-ready dessert.
Perfect for All Occasions: Whether it’s a casual family treat or a fancy brunch, these crullers shine in any setting.
Time-Friendly: Ready in under an hour, they’re the quick fix for your sweet cravings!

Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Ingredients

For the Crullers
• ½ cup Water – Essential for creating steam, which helps the crullers puff up beautifully.
• ½ cup Whole Milk – Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter – Enhances flavor and ensures a tender texture.
• 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar – Balances the flavors and adds a hint of sweetness.
• ½ tsp Salt – Brings out the overall taste of the crullers.
• 1 1/3 cup Bread Flour – Provides the necessary structure for these light pastries.
• 4 Large Eggs – Help create a rich, airy batter that puffs when fried.

For Frying
• Vegetable or Canola Oil – Sufficient for frying, ensuring a crispy exterior; aim for enough to fill halfway up your frying vessel.

For the Strawberry Glaze
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted – Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that coats the crullers perfectly.
• ¼ cup Fresh Strawberries – Cut and mashed or pureed for a vibrant, fruity flavor infused into the glaze.
• 3-4 tbsp Whole Milk – Adjusts the consistency of the glaze to your desired thickness.

For the Strawberry Sugar
• ½ cup Freeze Dried Strawberries – Processed into fine strawberry bits for a delightful garnish.
• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar – Mix with strawberry bits to create a sweet, flavorful topping for your crullers.

Dive into making these Strawberry Glazed French Crullers and experience an extraordinary homemade treat!

How to Make Strawberry Glazed French Crullers

Prepare Parchment: Cut parchment paper into 18, 4” x 4” squares, tracing a 3 – 3 1/2 inch circle onto each if desired. This helps shape your crullers beautifully. Set aside.
Boil Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine water, whole milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and watch for bubbling excitement!
Mix Flour: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the bread flour until well combined. Return to medium-high heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides. It should form a dough-like consistency.
Cool and Mix: Transfer the batter to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until it cools slightly. The texture will be matte but smooth.
Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next. The batter should look shiny, thick, and elastic-like when done.
Pipe Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star decorating tip. Lightly spray a baking sheet with baking spray to prevent sticking.
Shape Crullers: Place parchment squares on the baking sheet with the marked side down, and pipe a ring of dough onto each square to form your crullers.
Heat Oil: In a deep fryer, deep skillet, or large saucepan, heat vegetable or canola oil to 370ºF. Use a thermometer for accuracy; this is key to getting that crispy golden exterior!
Fry Crullers: Once the oil is hot, gently place 2-3 crullers (with parchment paper) into the oil, paper-side up. Fry for about 45 seconds before carefully removing the paper with tongs.
Finish Frying: Fry each cruller for 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re medium golden brown. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove them, allowing excess oil to drain on a wire cooling rack lined with paper towels.
Glaze Time: When the crullers are cool to the touch, dip them into the strawberry glaze, sprinkle with strawberry sugar, and set them back onto the cooling rack to allow the glaze to set.
Make Strawberry Glaze: For the strawberry glaze, puree the sliced strawberries in a food processor, then set aside.
Whisk Glaze Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, pureed strawberries, and whole milk until well blended to achieve a smooth, luscious glaze.
Prepare Strawberry Sugar: For strawberry sugar, process freeze-dried strawberries into fine bits and combine with granulated sugar for a delightful crunchy topping.

Optional: Drizzle extra glaze over the crullers for added sweetness!

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.

Make Ahead Options

Strawberry Glazed French Crullers are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts looking to save time during busy weeks! You can prepare the cruller dough up to 24 hours in advance by following the first eight steps and then refrigerating it in an airtight container. The dough will maintain its quality, ensuring that it remains just as airy and fluffy when you fry it later. To finish, simply transfer the chilled dough to a piping bag and fry the crullers when you’re ready to serve. For the glaze, you can mix the powdered sugar and pureed strawberries up to 3 days in advance, keeping it covered in the refrigerator. This way, you can enjoy homemade indulgence with minimal effort!

Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Variations

Feel free to explore these delightful twists and substitutes that can elevate your cruller experience!

Dairy-Free: Replace whole milk with almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free butter for a delicious alternative.
Gluten-Free: Swap bread flour for a gluten-free blend; ensure it has xanthan gum to help maintain structure.
Chocolate-Drizzled: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle it over the glazed crullers for a rich, decadent touch. Chocolate pairs beautifully with strawberry!
Fruit Variations: Experiment with other fruits like raspberries or blueberries in the glaze for a different fruity flavor. Each fruit offers a unique twist that surprises the palate.
Zesty Lemon: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the glaze for a refreshing citrus kick, balancing the sweetness with a touch of tartness.
Spicy Sugar: Toss granulated sugar with a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a surprising sweet-heat combo on the crullers.
Nutty Crunch: Incorporate finely chopped nuts, like almonds or pistachios, into the glaze for an added texture and flavor boost. The nutty finish elevates the cruller entirely!
Savory Crullers: For a savory twist, mix some herbs like rosemary or thyme into the batter for a unique brunch option. Perfect for those who love both sweet and savory flavors!

Expert Tips for Strawberry Glazed French Crullers

Perfect Dough Consistency: Ensure the batter is thick and elastic; if it’s too runny, the crullers won’t hold their shape during frying.
Temperature Matters: Maintain the frying oil at 370ºF for crispy, golden crullers. Too low, and they absorb oil; too high, and they’ll burn.
Piping Precision: Pipe evenly sized rings for uniform cooking. A star tip adds that classic cruller shape and enhances presentation.
Cooling Tips: Allow crullers to cool on wire racks; this keeps them crispy by avoiding excess moisture from the paper towels.
Glaze Variation: Adjust the glaze’s thickness by adding more milk for a drizzle effect or less for a thicker coating. Experiment with flavors!
Storage Smart: Keep uneaten crullers in an airtight container at room temperature—enjoy them while they’re fresh!

Storage Tips for Strawberry Glazed French Crullers

Room Temperature: Store uneaten crullers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their delightful texture.

Fridge: If you need them to last longer, place crullers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just remember, refrigeration may slightly alter their crispiness.

Freezer: For long-term storage, freeze crullers in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Allow them to thaw before enjoying again.

Reheating: Reheat crullers in an oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior before serving. Enjoy them fresh, warm, and glazed!

What to Serve with Strawberry Glazed French Crullers?

Create a delightful brunch experience by pairing these charming pastries with complementary dishes and drinks.

Fresh Fruit Salad: A medley of seasonal fruits balances the sweetness of the crullers, adding a refreshing twist.
Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy texture of ice cream contrasts beautifully with the airy crullers, creating an indulgent dessert.
Coffee or Espresso: A rich cup of coffee enhances the flavor, offering a perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up alongside the crullers.
Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream adds an extra dimension of creaminess, making each bite feel luxurious.

Pairing the crullers with a warm drink like herbal tea can also create a cozy atmosphere. The aromatic steam mingles with the sweet strawberry glaze, enveloping your senses in a comforting embrace.

Chocolate Drizzle: Add a touch of decadent flair by drizzling melted chocolate over the crullers, enticing your sweet tooth.
Maple Syrup: Serve with a side of warming maple syrup for dipping to introduce a rich, sweet contrast to the strawberry glaze.

Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe FAQs

What’s the best way to select ripe strawberries for the glaze?
Absolutely! When choosing strawberries, look for ones that are bright red, firm, and fragrant. Avoid any with dark spots or a dull appearance. The best strawberries will be sweet and juicy, providing a delightful flavor for your glaze.

How should I store leftover crullers, and for how long will they last?
To maintain their delicious texture and flavor, store uneaten crullers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Just keep in mind that refrigeration might affect their crispiness a bit!

Can I freeze my Strawberry Glazed French Crullers? If so, how?
Very! To freeze your crullers, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until they’re firm, which usually takes about an hour. After that, transfer them into a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. They can last for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight, and reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes for that fresh, crispy taste!

What should I do if my batter is too thick or too runny?
If you find your batter too thick, you can whisk in a little warm milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. On the flip side, if it’s too runny, try adding a tablespoon or two of extra bread flour. Remember, the batter should be thick, glossy, and drop easily from the piping bag!

Are there any dietary considerations for making these crullers?
Certainly! This recipe contains gluten due to bread flour; you can experiment with gluten-free alternatives, but the texture may differ. Additionally, for a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter, and replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk. Just ensure to check your ingredients if anyone has nut allergies!