The Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut is a delightful pastry that brings together the light, flaky texture of a croissant with the satisfying bite of a donut. This irresistible treat combines the sweet, fragrant essence of vanilla bean with juicy, fresh strawberry filling, making it a must-try for anyone who loves a perfect balance of flavors and textures in their dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or simply looking to indulge, the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut promises to be a showstopper on your table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flaky and Light Texture: The layered dough offers a buttery, airy bite that melts in your mouth with every chew.
Rich Vanilla Bean Flavor: Real vanilla bean seeds infuse the pastry with a warm, aromatic sweetness that feels luxurious.
Fresh Strawberry Burst: The ripe strawberry filling adds a natural fruity zing that balances the richness perfectly.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s breakfast, dessert, or a special treat, this pastry suits any moment.
Fun and Impressive: Making the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut is a rewarding experience that’ll impress friends and family alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut are simple yet crucial to achieving its signature layers, flavor, and color. Each component works together to create that perfect flaky texture, sweet aroma, and vibrant taste.

All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and base for the dough, ensuring a tender yet resilient pastry.
Cold Butter: Essential for creating those distinct flaky layers in the dough, delivering richness and texture.
Active Dry Yeast: Helps the dough rise, giving the cronut its airy and light consistency.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the dough’s flavors and caramelizes gently during frying for a golden finish.
Vanilla Bean: Real vanilla bean seeds are scraped into the dough and filling for authentic aroma and flavor.
Fresh Strawberries: Puréed or chopped, these provide the natural sweetness and tang for the filling.
Evaporated Milk: Adds richness and depth to the dough and cream filling.
Eggs: Give the dough structure, reduce toughness, and enrich the flavor.
Vegetable Oil: For frying the cronut to golden perfection without overpowering its delicate taste.

Variations for Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Feel free to customize the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut to suit your personal tastes or dietary needs. This recipe is flexible and can be adapted with minimal effort to create exciting new flavor profiles.

Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted dark or white chocolate on top for a decadent twist that pairs beautifully with vanilla and strawberry.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with gluten-free flour blends to enjoy this treat without gluten concerns.
Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives, along with flax or chia eggs, to make a vegan-friendly version.
Citrus Zest Addition: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough or filling for a zesty brightness that complements the strawberries.
Other Fruit Fillings: Swap strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or peach preserves to vary the flavor experience.

Why Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut Is a Must-Try Treat

How to Make Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Combine the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, and real vanilla bean seeds in a mixing bowl, stirring until the dough begins to come together. Chill the dough to firm up before rolling.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter Layers

Roll out the cold dough and fold in thin sheets of cold butter using the lamination technique. This process creates the flaky, buttery layers classic to a cronut’s texture.

Step 3: Proof the Dough

Allow the dough to rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, which helps develop that airy quality sprinkled throughout each bite.

Step 4: Shape the Cronuts

Using a round cutter, shape your dough into rings with a smaller cut-out center, mimicking the traditional donut silhouette.

Step 5: Fry Until Golden

Heat vegetable oil to the ideal temperature and fry the shaped cronuts gently, flipping once, until they’re beautifully golden brown on both sides.

Step 6: Fill with Strawberry Vanilla Bean Creme

Prepare the strawberry vanilla bean filling by cooking fresh strawberries with vanilla bean seeds and sugar until thickened. Once slightly cooled, pipe this vibrant filling into each cronut through the side.

Step 7: Final Touches

Dust the cronuts with powdered sugar or glaze with a simple vanilla icing for added sweetness and visual appeal.

Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Keep Ingredients Cold: Ensures the butter layers stay distinct and create the perfect flaky texture.
Don’t Overproof: Proof just until doubled to avoid dense cronuts.
Use a Candy Thermometer: Monitor oil temperature to prevent greasy or undercooked pastries.
Fresh Vanilla Beans: Always opt for fresh vanilla beans over extracts for richer, more complex flavor.
Fill When Cool: Let cronuts cool before adding filling to maintain texture and avoid sogginess.

How to Serve Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Garnishes

Add fresh strawberry slices atop the cronut or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to enhance visual appeal and add a refreshing touch to each bite.

Side Dishes

Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, vanilla latte, or iced tea to balance the sweetness and create a satisfying snack or breakfast combo.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cronuts on a tiered dessert stand for brunch, or serve alongside small bowls of additional strawberry compote and whipped cream for a DIY indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover cronuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days; refrigerate if your kitchen is warm but be aware it can dull the texture.

Freezing

Wrap individual cronuts tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before reheating gently.

Reheating

Warm cronuts in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness without drying out the filling.

FAQs

What is a cronut?

A cronut is a hybrid pastry combining the flakiness of a croissant with the shape and frying technique of a donut.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?

Yes, but fresh strawberries are preferred for their vibrant flavor and texture; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid first.

Is the recipe difficult for beginners?

While it takes some technique to laminate dough properly, following step-by-step instructions makes it manageable for home bakers willing to try.

How long does it take to make Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut?

From start to finish, including dough rising and frying, it typically takes about 4 to 5 hours due to resting periods.

Can I substitute the vanilla bean with vanilla extract?

You can, but vanilla bean seeds provide a more intense and natural flavor that better complements the strawberries.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a truly special treat that combines elegance, flavor, and a bit of fun, the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut is just what you need. This recipe is a fantastic way to impress loved ones or treat yourself to a bakery-quality delight made right at home. Trust me, once you try it, it will become a beloved favorite worth making again and again!

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut

Print Recipe

The Strawberry Vanilla Bean Cronut is a delightful hybrid pastry combining the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant with the crisp, golden-fried texture of a donut. Filled with a fresh strawberry and real vanilla bean filling, this elegant treat offers a perfect balance of natural fruity sweetness and rich vanilla aroma. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or any special occasion, it is a rewarding recipe for both beginner and seasoned bakers seeking a show-stopping homemade pastry.

Total Time: 3 hours
Yield: 12 cronuts 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, chilled
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 cup evaporated milk, cold
2 large eggs
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
1 cup cold unsalted butter (for lamination), cut into thin sheets

Frying and Finishing

Vegetable oil, for frying (about 4 cups)
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Vanilla icing (optional)

Filling Ingredients

1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, puréed or chopped
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp evaporated milk

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine chilled all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, granulated sugar, evaporated milk, eggs, and scraped vanilla bean seeds. Mix until the dough begins to come together. Cover and chill the dough to firm up for about 1 hour.
Incorporate Butter Layers: Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface. Place thin sheets of cold butter on two-thirds of the dough, fold the dough over the butter, and roll out again to laminate. Repeat the folding and rolling process at least three times to create distinct, flaky layers. Chill the dough again if it becomes too soft during this process.
Proof the Dough: Place the laminated dough in a warm environment and allow it to rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. This step is crucial for developing the light and airy texture.
Shape the Cronuts: Roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Using a large round cutter, cut out circles. Use a smaller cutter to remove the center, forming donut rings. Place the shaped rings on a parchment-lined tray and let them rest briefly while heating the oil.
Fry Until Golden: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the cronut rings carefully, flipping once, until they are golden brown on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Fill with Strawberry Vanilla Bean Creme: In a saucepan, combine fresh strawberry purée, scraped vanilla bean seeds, sugar, and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring frequently. Allow to cool. Using a piping bag fitted with a small tip, inject the filling into each cronut from the side.
Final Touches: Dust the filled cronuts with powdered sugar or drizzle with optional vanilla icing for added sweetness and presentation.

Notes

Keep all ingredients, especially butter and dough, cold to maintain flaky layers.
Proof dough only until doubled to avoid dense cronuts.
Use a candy thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F, ensuring perfect frying.
Prefer fresh vanilla beans over vanilla extract for richer flavor.
Fill cronuts only after they have cooled to prevent soggy texture.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying and Laminating
Cuisine: French-American Fusion
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cronut
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg

Keywords: cronut, strawberry cronut, vanilla bean pastry, laminated dough, fried pastry, dessert, breakfast pastry