French Cruller Donuts: 1 Choux Dough, Pure Bliss.

Name: French Cruller Donuts: 1 Choux Dough, Pure Bliss.
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F); 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoon milk; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

by Jannet Lisa

13 de July de 2025

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French Cruller Donuts have been my go-to sweet treat ever since I first bit into their impossibly light, airy texture. I remember the first time I made them, pulling them from the oven, and the whole kitchen filled with the sweet scent of vanilla and sugar. There’s just something magical about how these simple ingredients transform into such a delicate, satisfying pastry. These homemade French cruller donuts are a healthier, baked alternative to the traditional fried version, and dipping them in that sweet, shiny glaze makes for the perfect finish. You’ll love creating these delightful sugar glazed French crullers right in your own kitchen; it’s a truly rewarding experience for any home baker looking for a fun DIY French cruller donuts project. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love These French Cruller Donuts

I genuinely believe these French Cruller Donuts will become a new favorite in your home. Here’s why I think you’ll adore them:

They offer a uniquely delightful taste – light, airy, and perfectly sweet, making them an irresistible treat.
The prep time is simpler than you think, making this an accessible baking project for anyone.
Unlike traditional versions, these are baked, meaning you get all the flavor with a healthier twist.
This is an incredibly budget-friendly way to enjoy a gourmet-style dessert at home.
It’s a fantastic family-friendly activity; everyone loves helping twist the dough into those fun shapes.
You’ll achieve that distinct, delicate texture, truly making light and airy crullers that melt in your mouth.
This truly is an easy French cruller recipe, perfect for bakers of all skill levels to master.

Ingredients for Homemade French Cruller Donuts

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful pastries. I’ve found that using fresh, quality ingredients really makes a difference in the final taste and texture of your French Cruller Donuts. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this simple yet impressive recipe:

1 cup warm milk (105-115°F) – crucial for activating the yeast; too hot or cold and it won’t work.
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast – this is what gives our donuts their lovely rise and airy texture.
1/4 cup granulated sugar – feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
1 large egg – binds the ingredients and adds richness to the dough, contributing to that classic choux pastry donut recipe feel.
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted – for flavor and a tender crumb.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances the overall flavor profile.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – the main structure of our cruller dough.
1/2 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
1 cup powdered sugar – for the sweet and smooth glaze.
1-2 tablespoon milk – to adjust the glaze consistency.
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract – for a fragrant glaze.

How to Make French Cruller Donuts

Making these delightful French Cruller Donuts is a super enjoyable process, and I promise you’ll be surprised at how straightforward it is to achieve such a beautiful result. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have warm, freshly baked crullers in no time!

Step 1: First, let’s get our yeast ready. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and the first portion of granulated sugar. Give it a gentle stir and then let it sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s working when it gets nice and foamy on top. This is the magic beginning of your dough!
Step 2: In a larger bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until they are well combined. I love how the vanilla scent starts to fill the kitchen even at this early stage!
Step 3: Pour the activated yeast mixture into the egg mixture. Stir everything together until it’s a uniform liquid.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour and salt. Then, gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing as you go. Keep stirring until a soft dough begins to form.
Step 5: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Now comes the kneading! Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for it to become smooth and elastic. This is a key part of the cruller pastry technique, developing the gluten for that perfect texture.
Step 6: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. Patience here pays off for truly light crullers.
Step 7: Once risen, gently punch down the dough. Divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long, thin rope – about 10-12 inches long.
Step 8: Twist each rope into that recognizable cruller shape. This is where you create those beautiful, intricate patterns for your classic French crullers. Place each shaped donut on an ungreased baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between them.
Step 9: Let these shaped French Cruller Donuts rise again for another 30 minutes, or until they’ve doubled in size. This second rise is crucial for their airy texture.
Step 10: While they’re rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 11: Bake the donuts for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. They’ll look plump and inviting!
Step 12: Let the freshly baked donuts cool on a wire rack for a few minutes while you prepare the glaze.
Step 13: For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until it’s perfectly smooth and free of lumps.
Step 14: Once your French Cruller Donuts are completely cooled, dip each one into the glaze. Let any excess drip off, then place them back on the wire rack to set. Enjoy!

French Cruller Donuts - detail 2

Pro Tips for the Best French Cruller Donuts

I’ve learned a few tricks over time that really elevate these French Cruller Donuts from good to absolutely amazing. Paying attention to these small details will guarantee you consistently light and airy results every time you bake:

Always ensure your milk is at the correct temperature (105-115°F) for yeast activation. Too hot will kill it, too cold won’t activate it, leading to dense crullers.
Don’t overmix or over-knead the dough after adding the flour. Overworking the gluten can result in tough, rather than tender, donuts.
Allow ample time for both rises. Rushing this process will compromise the light and airy texture we’re aiming for.
Make sure your French Cruller Donuts are completely cooled before dipping them in the glaze. Otherwise, the glaze will melt right off.
For the best flavor and texture, serve these crullers fresh!

What’s the secret to perfect French Cruller Donuts?

The real secret lies in the precise dough consistency and proper baking. You want a dough that’s elastic but not overly sticky. Baking them at the right temperature for the correct duration ensures they puff up beautifully, creating those signature airy pockets characteristic of an authentic French cruller.

Can I make French Cruller Donuts ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to the first rise, then punch it down and place it in a greased, covered bowl in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping, rising, and baking your French Cruller Donuts as directed.

How do I avoid common mistakes with French Cruller Donuts?

To avoid dense donuts, ensure your yeast is active and don’t overwork the dough. For a perfect glaze, make sure your crullers are fully cooled before dipping, and adjust the milk in the glaze gradually to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency that isn’t too thin or thick.

Best Ways to Serve French Cruller Donuts

Once you’ve mastered this French Cruller Donuts recipe, you’ll want to enjoy them in all sorts of delightful ways! While they are absolutely heavenly on their own, especially fresh from the oven with that sweet glaze, I love to elevate the experience with a few simple pairings.

My absolute favorite way to savor these light treats is alongside a hot cup of coffee or a frothy latte; the slight bitterness of the coffee perfectly complements the sweet donut. For a more elegant presentation, arrange them on a platter with fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries. The tartness of the fruit offers a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the glazed cruller recipe. You could also try a light dusting of powdered sugar over the glaze for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal. They also make a fantastic addition to any brunch spread, impressing your guests with their beautiful shape and delicate texture.

Nutrition Facts for French Cruller Donuts

I know many of you are curious about the nutritional breakdown of your favorite treats, so here’s an overview for these delicious French Cruller Donuts. Please remember that these values are estimates and can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and any modifications you might make to the recipe.

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: Not available
Fat: Not available
Saturated Fat: Not available
Carbohydrates: Not available
Fiber: Not available
Sugar: Not available
Protein: Not available
Sodium: Not available

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat French Cruller Donuts

Once you’ve made a batch of these delicious French Cruller Donuts, you might find yourself with a few leftovers – a rare but possible occurrence! Proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and enjoyable. I always recommend letting them cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to store them. This prevents condensation which can make them soggy.

For short-term storage, place your homemade French cruller donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you’ve made a larger batch, these donuts freeze beautifully! Simply place the completely cooled crullers in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. For the best flavor and texture, I like to warm them gently in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they’re just tender. This part of the French cruller recipe ensures they taste almost as good as freshly baked.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Cruller Donuts

What are French crullers?

French Cruller Donuts are a delightful type of pastry known for their distinctive ridged, often twisted shape and incredibly light, airy texture. Unlike traditional raised or cake donuts, they are made from choux pastry, the same dough used for eclairs and cream puffs. This gives them a delicate crisp exterior and a tender, hollow interior, perfect for soaking up a sweet glaze.

Why are crullers called French?

The “French” in French Cruller Donuts comes from their use of choux pastry (pâte à choux), a classic French dough. While the exact history of French cruller donuts is a bit debated, the technique of making choux pastry originated in France. Over time, this method was adapted to create these unique fried or baked pastries, giving them their “French” designation, distinguishing them from other types of donuts.

What’s the difference between a cruller and an eclair?

Both crullers and eclairs are made from choux pastry, which is why they share a similar light and airy interior. However, their shapes and typical preparations differ. Eclairs are elongated and usually filled with cream, then topped with a solid glaze. French Cruller Donuts, on the other hand, are often ring-shaped or twisted, and while they can be filled, they are more commonly glazed on the outside, showcasing their unique ridged texture.

Can I make French Cruller Donuts without a special piping bag?

While a piping bag with a star tip is traditionally used to create the signature ridged shape of French Cruller Donuts, you can still make them without one. You can roll out the dough into thin ropes and twist them into a cruller shape, as demonstrated in our recipe. The texture will still be light and airy, even if the ridges aren’t as pronounced as with a star tip.

Variations of French Cruller Donuts You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic French Cruller Donuts, you might be tempted to experiment with different flavors and presentations. I love playing around with variations to keep things exciting, and these ideas are perfect for exploring new “French donut variations” beyond the traditional sugar glaze:

Chocolate Glaze: For the chocolate lovers, simply melt some good quality chocolate chips with a touch of milk or cream and dip your cooled crullers. A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate glaze really makes it pop!
Citrus Zest Infusion: Add a teaspoon of fresh orange or lemon zest to your dough for a bright, aromatic twist. You can also incorporate the zest into your glaze for an extra citrusy kick.
Spiced Crullers: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of cardamom into your flour mixture for a warm, comforting flavor. These are especially delightful during the fall and winter months.
Maple Pecan Glaze: Swap out some of the milk in your glaze for maple syrup and add a few drops of maple extract. Top with finely chopped toasted pecans for a decadent, nutty finish.