Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

If you’re someone who loves a light, airy pastry with just the right touch of fruitiness, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe. I absolutely love how these crullers turn out — delicate, with that signature twisted shape and a lovely strawberry glaze that’s sweet but not overpowering. When I first tried making French crullers at home, I had my doubts, but this recipe gave me that bakery-quality result every single time. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to make these beauties — you’ll be craving them before the batch is even done frying!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe works together to create that signature airy texture and luscious finish. When shopping, try to get quality unsalted butter and the freshest strawberries, as they make a noticeable difference in flavor.

• Water: Used to create steam in the dough, which helps the crullers puff up beautifully.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness and tenderizes the dough without weighing it down.
• Unsalted Butter: Gives the dough a subtle richness and lets you control the saltiness.
• Granulated Sugar: A touch of sweetness in the dough balances the glaze nicely.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crullers.
• Bread Flour: Provides the perfect structure to hold the dough’s puffiness and elasticity.
• Large Eggs: Essential for building the light, airy texture in the dough.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Best for frying because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
• Powdered Sugar: For the smooth, sweet glaze that clings beautifully to the crullers.
• Fresh Strawberries: Pureed to infuse that vibrant strawberry flavor into the glaze.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Optional, but great when crushed into strawberry sugar for an extra pop of berry goodness.

Variations

One of the best things about this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I love switching up the glaze—the strawberry version is a favorite, but you can also go classic vanilla or even chocolate if you want to mix things up.

• Vanilla Glaze: Simply swap out the strawberry puree for vanilla extract and milk for a classic taste—I’ve done this when strawberries aren’t in season, and it’s just as delicious.
• Chocolate Glaze: Melt some dark chocolate into your powdered sugar glaze for a decadent twist; my family goes crazy for this combo.
• Gluten-Free: I tried using a gluten-free flour blend once. It worked okay but wasn’t quite as airy—if you need gluten-free, consider experimenting a bit with flours for best results.
• Strawberry Sugar: Adding the optional freeze-dried strawberry sugar on top adds a burst of color and intense flavor—I highly recommend this if you want to wow guests!

How to Make Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

Step 1: Making the Choux Dough

Start by combining water, whole milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. I find it’s crucial to keep a close eye while bringing this mixture to a boil—don’t let it rush over! Once boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the bread flour quickly and vigorously until it forms a thick, smooth paste. I like to return it to medium heat and keep stirring until the dough pulls away cleanly from the pan—that’s the sign it’s just right.

Step 2: Cooling and Adding Eggs

Transfer your dough to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until it cools slightly and the steam disappears — usually about 4 to 5 minutes. This step is key to prevent scrambled eggs later. Then, add your eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before the next goes in. You’ll notice the batter becomes glossy and elastic, almost like a stretchy glue—that’s exactly what you want. I learned the hard way that adding eggs too quickly can make the dough too runny, so patience here really pays off.

Step 3: Piping the Rings

Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with your dough. I like to prepare parchment paper squares with a faint circle traced on the back side as a guide—this makes piping perfectly sized rings so much easier! Place the parchment on a baking sheet, then pipe a closed ring of dough onto each square. Make sure you press down slightly on the ends so the ring holds together while frying.

Step 4: Frying the Crullers

Heat your vegetable or canola oil to 370ºF — I use a deep fryer or a heavy skillet filled about halfway with oil and monitor temperature with a candy thermometer for best results. Fry 2-3 crullers at a time, keeping the parchment side up. After about 45 seconds, gently remove the parchment with tongs; the dough will have set enough that it won’t stick. Fry the crullers for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they’re puffed up and beautifully golden honey in color. Transfer them to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain — this keeps them crisp without being greasy.

Step 5: Preparing the Strawberry Glaze

While your crullers cool slightly, whip together the strawberry glaze. Puree fresh strawberries in a processor or mash with a spoon. Whisk together sifted powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and whole milk—start with 3 tablespoons of milk and add more if needed to get a smooth, pourable glaze. I discovered that having the right glaze consistency is what really makes these crullers shine, so take your time here!

Step 6: Glazing and Finishing Touches

Once the crullers are cool enough to handle (but still slightly warm), dip them carefully into the strawberry glaze, letting the excess drip off. If you’re using the strawberry sugar, sprinkle it over the glazed crullers while the glaze is still tacky—that beautiful sprinkle adds both texture and a burst of flavor. Place them back on the drying rack or parchment paper and let the glaze set for a few minutes before digging in.

How to Serve Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple with a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberry bits or a tiny dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty finish. Fresh mint leaves make an elegant touch and lift the flavor experience beautifully. If you’re serving these at brunch, a few edible flowers can make the tray pop, too.

Side Dishes

These crullers go wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a frothy latte. I often pair them with fresh berries or a light fruit salad to balance the sweet glaze. A dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone on the side is a game-changer if you want to take it up a notch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve these crullers stacked on a tiered cake stand with small bowls of extra glaze and strawberry sugar for dipping. They also look darling arranged alongside mini tarts and macarons for a French-themed brunch or dessert table. Wrapping a few individually in parchment and tying with a ribbon is a sweet edible gift idea, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover crullers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. They hold up well if you want to have a treat the next morning, but don’t expect them to be as crisp as fresh-fried.

Freezing

I’ve had good luck freezing plain crullers (without glaze) in a zip-top bag. When I want one, I thaw it at room temperature and then reheat it briefly in a low oven to crisp it back up before glazing. This trick keeps them tasting close to fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend placing crullers on a baking sheet in a 300ºF oven for about 5-7 minutes to revive their crispness. Avoid microwaving, which makes them soggy. After reheating, add fresh glaze for the best flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t stress enough how this Strawberry Glazed French Crullers Recipe quickly became a favorite in my household. The combination of light, airy crullers and that bright, fresh strawberry glaze is just pure joy in every bite. You’ll find making these from scratch totally doable with a little attention to detail — and I promise the result is well worth the effort. Give it a go on your next weekend baking session; I’m pretty sure these will become a go-to treat for you and yours, just like they did for me!

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