Best Homemade Chocolate Cronuts Recipes

HOW TO MAKE CRONUTS, PART I (THE DOUGH)

Steps:

• 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 salt, sugar, milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, vanilla extract, egg, 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 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.
• See part II of this recipe to make the cronuts.

HOMEMADE CRONUTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together milk and yeast, then sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add 1 cup flour and salt. Gradually add 2-1/4 cups more flour, stirring, then kneading, until dough is smooth. Transfer to a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Beat butter and 1/4 cup flour with a mixer until smooth. Place chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 1-4/-inch rectangle about 13x8 inches. Spread butter mixture evenly over dough. Fold dough in thirds, like a letter; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes more.
• Remove dough, roll it into a rectangle again, then fold both edges ot to the middle. Refrigerate 30 minutes, then repeat folding and chilling sequence twice more, finally chilling the dough at least an hour.
• In a heavy pot, heat 2 or 3 inches oil to 350°. Roll out dough to 1- to 2-inch thickness and cut into rings. Cook cronuts in batches, flipping as needed, until golden. Transfer to a paper towel.
• Whisk together powdered sugar, syrup, and whipping cream to make a glaze. Drizzle glaze over the cronuts while they're still warm.