Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These French cruller donuts are a beautiful mix of textures and flavors. The light, airy interior is perfectly complemented by a golden, crisp exterior. Baked instead of fried, they provide a lighter option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or indulgence. The honey glaze or citrus-infused icing adds a perfect sweetness that will elevate the experience. Plus, they are surprisingly easy to make, making them a perfect treat for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Serve them for breakfast, dessert, or tea time and enjoy a taste of French café culture in your home.
Ingredients
For the Crullers:
- 1 cup water
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: honey or lemon zest for added flavor
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent sticking. - Prepare the Dough:
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. - Add Flour:
Once the mixture is boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Return the pan to the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes. - Cool the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes until it’s warm but not hot. - Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. - Pipe the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe rings of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. - Bake:
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Turn off the oven and let the crullers sit for an additional 5 minutes to finish baking. - Cool:
Remove the crullers from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack. - Prepare the Glaze:
Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you’d like, you can add honey or lemon zest for a unique twist. - Glaze the Crullers:
Dip the tops of the cooled crullers into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Let the glaze set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe makes about 10 crullers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Citrus Glaze: Add lemon or orange zest to the glaze for a bright citrusy twist that pairs wonderfully with the lightness of the crullers.
- Chocolate Glaze: For a richer version, substitute the milk in the glaze with heavy cream and stir in some cocoa powder to make a chocolate glaze.
- Maple Flavor: Add a touch of maple syrup to the glaze for a warm, fall-inspired flavor.
- Flavor the Dough: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or cinnamon to the dough for a new flavor dimension.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the baked crullers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: These crullers freeze well. After glazing, freeze the crullers on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. To serve, thaw them at room temperature and refresh them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the crullers in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes until they are warmed through and crisp.
FAQs
Can I make these crullers without a piping bag?
Yes! If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip of the corner cut off or simply shape the dough into rings by hand.
Can I use a different type of glaze?
Yes, you can use a chocolate glaze, maple glaze, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a lighter topping.
How do I know when the crullers are done baking?
The crullers are done when they are golden brown, puffed up, and crispy on the outside. You can gently tap on them—they should feel firm and hollow inside.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
While the dough is best baked fresh, you can refrigerate the unpiped dough for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature before piping and baking.
Can I make these crullers gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, though the texture might vary slightly.
Can I add a filling to these crullers?
While traditional crullers are usually left plain, you could pipe a filling such as pastry cream or whipped cream into the cruller rings before or after baking.
Why do you let the crullers sit in the oven after turning it off?
Letting the crullers sit in the oven for an additional 5 minutes helps them finish baking and gives them a crispier exterior while ensuring they stay light and airy inside.
Can I make smaller crullers?
Yes, you can pipe smaller rings if you prefer bite-sized crullers. Just be mindful to adjust the baking time slightly.
Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the dough after piping the rings. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When ready to bake, bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
Baked French Cruller Donuts are a delightful, lighter alternative to traditional fried donuts, with all the elegance and flavor of a French pastry. They’re airy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and finished with a silky glaze that makes them the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, dessert, or with a cup of tea, these crullers are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make and even easier to devour!
Baked French Cruller Donuts
Baked French Cruller Donuts are airy, golden pastries made from choux dough and glazed with a smooth, sweet glaze. These baked treats provide a lighter option without sacrificing indulgence, making them perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 crullers
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 cup water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: honey or lemon zest for added flavor
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
- Add Flour: Once the mixture is boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the flour all at once. Return the pan to the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cool the Dough: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes until it’s warm but not hot.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pipe the Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe rings of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Turn off the oven and let the crullers sit for an additional 5 minutes to finish baking.
- Cool: Remove the crullers from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add honey or lemon zest for flavor if desired.
- Glaze the Crullers: Dip the tops of the cooled crullers into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
Add citrus zest to the glaze for a refreshing twist or cocoa powder for a chocolate glaze.
For a richer glaze, substitute milk with heavy cream or add maple syrup to the glaze.
Use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner cut off if you don’t have a piping bag.
Adjust the dough’s flavor with almond extract or cinnamon for a unique variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruller
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
