Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

If you’re craving something light, airy, and absolutely bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe. These delicate French crullers are so delightfully crisp on the outside and tender inside, and the strawberry glaze adds just the right fruity sweet finish that’ll have you reaching for more. I’m excited to walk you through this recipe—it’s not only fun to make but also such a showstopper whenever I serve it up!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays an important role, from creating that perfect choux dough to the fresh strawberry glaze that makes these crullers unforgettable. Using quality butter and fresh milk really elevates the flavor and texture of the dough. For best results, pick ripe and fragrant strawberries—they really make the glaze sing.

• Water: Helps create the steam needed for the dough to puff up flawlessly.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness to the dough for a tender bite.
• Unsalted Butter: Melts into the dough giving it a luscious texture; unsalted lets you control the salt balance.
• Granulated Sugar: A bit of sweetness in the dough balances the flavors nicely.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
• Bread Flour: Its higher protein content gives the dough that elastic stretch, essential for crullers.
• Large Eggs: One at a time, eggs provide the structure and richness the dough needs to puff up beautifully.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Neutral oil ideal for deep frying without overpowering the flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: For the strawberry glaze; sifted for smoothness.
• Fresh Strawberries: Pureed fresh strawberries form the star of the glaze, providing natural color and flavor.
• Freeze Dried Strawberries (optional): Processed into powder with granulated sugar, this makes a fun sprinkle topping that adds extra berry punch and texture.

Variations

I love how versatile this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe can be! If you want to make it your own, there are some lovely variations you can try—add a splash of vanilla to the dough, swap strawberries for raspberries in the glaze, or go gluten-free with a specialty flour blend. Let me share a few ideas from my kitchen experiments.

• Berry Swap: I once swapped strawberries for fresh raspberries in the glaze and it gave it a tangier, equally gorgeous flavor—feel free to experiment with whatever berry is in season.
• Vanilla Infusion: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough adds a lovely warmth that’s subtle but delicious.
• Gluten-Free Alternate: You can replace bread flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but be prepared for a slightly different texture—still tasty, just a bit more delicate.
• Savory Twist (for the adventurous): Skip the glaze and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar for a classic treat that’s just as addictive.

How to Make Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

Step 1: Make the Choux Dough

This step is my favorite part! Start by combining the water, whole milk, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat. You have to watch closely so it doesn’t overflow, but once it bubbles, remove from heat and stir in the flour vigorously. Then pop it back on medium-high heat and keep stirring and pressing it into the pan’s sides until you get a thick, smooth paste that pulls away cleanly—that’s your magic choux base.

Step 2: Beat in the Eggs

Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or beat by hand if you’re feeling brave!). After it cools for a few minutes, add eggs one at a time, mixing fully between each addition. You’ll notice the dough get glossy, thick, and stretchy—that’s exactly what you want. The “V” test with the paddle or stretching a bit of dough between fingers is a fantastic way to check if you’re there.

Step 3: Pipe and Prepare for Frying

Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe rings onto parchment squares placed on a baking sheet (sprayed lightly with oil or baking spray). I like to trace circles on the parchment to guide me—makes the rings uniform! This part might feel a bit tricky at first, but it’s so worth it for those flaky, pretty crullers.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat your oil to 370ºF—using a thermometer here is key to keep your crullers puffing evenly without soaking up too much oil. Fry 2-3 crullers at a time with the parchment on top for about 45 seconds, then carefully remove the paper (tongs work great). Fry each cruller about 2-3 minutes per side until they’re a beautiful medium golden color. Don’t rush this part; those golden tones are your roadmap to perfect texture.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate with Strawberry Glaze

Let the crullers cool just enough to handle without losing warmth, then dip them briefly in the fresh strawberry glaze—this glaze is simple but packed with berry goodness. After dipping, sprinkle with the optional strawberry sugar for an extra pop of flavor and a gorgeous finish. Set them on a wire rack to let the glaze set slightly before serving.

How to Serve Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

Garnishes

I love to top my glazed crullers with a little sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberry sugar because it looks pretty and adds a tiny burst of crunch and intense berry flavor. Fresh strawberry slices or tiny mint leaves also make adorable garnishes if you want something fresh and colorful.

Side Dishes

This recipe shines as a sweet breakfast treat or an afternoon snack alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a chilled glass of milk. I often serve them with fresh fruit salad or a yogurt parfait to round out the meal without weighing it down.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging the crullers on a tiered cake stand dusted lightly with powdered sugar. You can nestle small bowls of extra glaze and fresh berries around for guests to dip and decorate themselves—a fun interactive touch that always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. However, I’ve found they’re best enjoyed fresh because the crullers start to lose their crispness as they sit.

Freezing

I usually don’t freeze these because the delicate texture doesn’t hold up well, but if you want to try, freeze the plain crullers (without glaze) in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag and reheat in the oven to crisp before glazing.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-crisp texture, reheat leftover plain crullers in a 350ºF oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it makes them chewy rather than crisp. Once warmed, dip in fresh glaze for that newly made feeling.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe turns out every single time—it feels like such a treat but isn’t as complicated as it looks. When I first tried making choux pastry, I was intimidated; now, these crullers are a weekend staple in my house. If you enjoy light, sweet pastries paired with fresh fruit flavors, you’ll find yourself making these again and again. I promise, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to impress family and friends with minimal fuss but maximum flavor!

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