French Cruller from Dunkin' features a light, airy choux dough twisted into a delicate ring and fried to golden perfection, creating a crispy exterior that melts into a soft, tender inside with a subtle sweetness.
Equipments
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Pastry bag with star tip
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
- Slotted spoon
- Cooling rack
- Kitchen thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
The key to a perfect French cruller lies in the choux dough, which requires careful heating of water, butter, sugar, and salt before adding flour to form a smooth paste. Using room temperature eggs and incorporating them one at a time ensures the dough has the right consistency for piping. Maintaining oil temperature at 350degF (175degC) is crucial for achieving the signature crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil. Powdered sugar mixed with milk and vanilla extract creates a classic glaze that complements the airy texture of the cruller. You can recreate the light, golden French cruller from Dunkin' at home by following these precise ingredient ratios and cooking techniques.
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt; bring to a boil.
- Add flour all at once; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from sides.
- Remove saucepan from heat; let cool for 4–5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking or mixing well after each addition until dough is smooth and glossy.
- Transfer the choux dough to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
- Pipe 3–4 inch rings onto the parchment paper.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C); check with kitchen thermometer.
- Cut parchment paper around each ring for easy handling.
- Carefully lower each cruller (with parchment) into the hot oil, paper side up; peel off parchment with a slotted spoon after a few seconds.
- Fry crullers 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and puffed.
- Remove with slotted spoon; drain on cooling rack.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth to make glaze.
- Dip cooled crullers into glaze; place back on rack until glaze sets.
Substitution
French Cruller from Dunkin' copycat recipes rely on choux pastry dough, which can be sensitive to ingredient substitutions. If you don't have all-purpose flour, pastry flour works but may yield a slightly less crispy texture. When frying, maintaining oil temperature between 350degF and 375degF ensures the crullers puff properly without absorbing excess oil; a kitchen thermometer is essential for this. You can substitute vegetable oil with canola or sunflower oil for frying, but avoid olive oil due to its low smoke point. Your piping technique matters--use a star tip for the characteristic ridges, and chill the dough slightly if it becomes too soft to pipe clean rings.
Tips
Your water and butter mixture must reach a full boil before adding the flour to ensure the dough forms properly. When incorporating eggs, add them one at a time and mix thoroughly for a smooth, glossy dough that pipes easily. Maintain the oil temperature at a steady 350degF (175degC) using a kitchen thermometer to avoid greasy or undercooked crullers. Use parchment paper for piping, and carefully remove it after placing the dough in hot oil to prevent breaking the delicate rings during frying.
Nutritions
French Crullers from Dunkin' provide approximately 250-300 calories per doughnut, primarily from carbohydrates and fats due to frying in vegetable oil. The choux dough ingredients, including eggs and butter, contribute moderate amounts of protein and saturated fat, while powdered sugar glaze adds simple sugars. Your intake of vitamins and minerals is minimal, making this treat mainly an energy-dense snack. Consuming it occasionally fits well within balanced dietary choices.
Storage
Store your French Crullers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crisp exterior and tender interior for up to 1 day. Use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve the glaze's shine. To enjoy them fresh later, gently reheat in a low oven for a few minutes to restore their light, airy texture.
Variation or Alternatives
You can experiment with substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to add a nutty flavor and increase fiber content. For a richer taste, try incorporating melted cream cheese or mascarpone into the dough before adding eggs. Instead of traditional powdered sugar glaze, consider a chocolate ganache made from heavy cream and dark chocolate to coat your crullers for a decadent variation. Adjust the frying oil temperature slightly lower, around 325degF (163degC), to achieve a softer texture inside while maintaining a crisp exterior.
Allergies
French Cruller from Dunkin' contains key allergens such as eggs, butter (dairy), and wheat (gluten), which may trigger reactions in individuals with allergies to these ingredients. The frying process involves vegetable oil, which is generally safe but could pose risks if cross-contamination occurs with other allergenic foods. You should carefully check ingredient lists and consult with Dunkin' if you have food allergies to ensure your safety.
Why this recipe?
The French Cruller from Dunkin' restaurant is beloved for its light, airy texture and delicate sweetness, crafted from piped choux pastry that creates a unique, ridged shape. Its melt-in-your-mouth softness combined with a subtle glaze offers a delightful contrast to traditional doughnuts, making it a standout choice for doughnut enthusiasts. You will find that mastering a copycat recipe allows you to enjoy this iconic treat fresh at home while customizing flavors to fit your taste preferences. Replicating the French Cruller not only highlights your baking skills but also brings the cafe experience to your kitchen effortlessly.