Name: How to Make Cronuts, Part I (The Dough)
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 305 min
Ingredients: 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast; 0.5 cup warm water (105 degrees F/41 degrees C); 0.5 cup milk; 2.5 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon fine salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 0.125 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1 pound all-purpose flour; 12 tablespoons European-style (low-moisture) butter at room temperature, divided

How to Make Cronuts, Part I (The Dough)

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Cronuts are the doughnuts that make people go nuts! They have the shape and flavor of a doughnut, yet feature the crispy, flaky texture of a buttery croissant. In Part I, I'll show you how to make the dough; in Part II, we'll fry, eat, and analyze.

Recipe by Chef John

Updated on August 26, 2022

Prep Time:

1 hr

Additional Time:

4 hrs 5 mins

Total Time:

5 hrs 5 mins

Servings:

Yield:

14 dough cronuts

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
½ cup warm water (105 degrees F/41 degrees C)
½ cup milk
2 ½ tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound all-purpose flour
12 tablespoons European-style (low-moisture) butter at room temperature, divided

Directions

Place yeast into the mixing bowl of a large stand mixer. Whisk in warm water and let stand until a creamy foam forms on top, about 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, egg, salt, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Whisk mixture thoroughly. Pour flour on top of liquid ingredients. Place mixing bowl onto mixer.
Attach dough hook to mixer and knead on low speed until dough comes together in a ball and becomes soft and sticky, about 3 minutes. Dough will stick to the hook and pull away from the side of the bowl.
Transfer dough to a floured work surface, knead 2 or 3 times, and shape into a ball. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes to let gluten relax.
Remove dough from the refrigerator, unwrap, and dust lightly with flour. Roll out into a 9x18-inch rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Evenly spread 1/2 of the softened butter onto the middle third of the dough. Fold one unbuttered third over the buttered third and press lightly; spread remaining butter on top of that third. Fold remaining third over the first (buttered) third. Transfer dough onto a sheet pan, cover lightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and refrigerate 20 to 30 more minutes for butter to become firm. Sprinkle dough lightly with flour as you work if it becomes sticky.
Return dough to floured work surface and pat very gently into an 8x14-inch rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Fold outer thirds over center third as before; roll out into an 8x14-inch rectangle again, keeping the edges as straight as possible. Fold in thirds as before. Cover dough lightly with a kitchen towel, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Roll the dough out to about 3/8 inch thick. Cut dough in half crosswise. Leave half on a lightly floured work surface; refrigerate other half of dough until needed.
Use a sharp 3-inch round cutter to cut 8 circles of dough from the piece on the work surface. Use a 1-inch round cutter to cut the donut holes out of the dough circles.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and sprinkle lightly with flour. Arrange cronuts and holes onto the prepared baking sheet. Let rise in a draft-free, warm place (such as an unheated oven) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Tips

This recipe is for the cronut dough only. To fry and glaze the cronuts, see part II of this recipe.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

241	Calories
12g	Fat
28g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 14
Calories 241
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g	16%
Saturated Fat 8g	38%
Cholesterol 45mg	15%
Sodium 189mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 28g	10%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 4g
Calcium 21mg	2%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 67mg	1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.