Golden Lemon French Crullers

French crullers are a classic pastry that exudes elegance and flavor in every bite. Their light and airy texture, combined with a sweet glaze, makes them an irresistible treat. Today, I’ll share with you a delightful twist on this beloved pastry: Golden Lemon French Crullers. With the refreshing zest of lemon and a luscious vanilla-honey glaze, these crullers are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients

For the Doughnuts:

• 1/2 cup (118ml) + 1 tbsp (14.7ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (118ml) + 1 tbsp (14.7ml) water
• 8 tbsp (1 stick; 113g) unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp (12.5g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp (4.4g) table salt, or 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/4 cup (150g) unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 3 large whole eggs
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1-2 tbsp grated lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups (187.5g) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp (21g) honey
• 2-3 tbsp (30 – 45ml) milk
• 1 tbsp (15ml) pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Making the Doughnuts

1. Combine the Liquids and Butter: In a large saucepan, bring the milk, water, butter, sugar, and salt to a rolling boil over medium heat.
2. Add the Flour: Remove from heat, add the flour all at once, and stir vigorously until the mixture comes together into a dough.
3. Cook the Dough: Return the saucepan to the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the dough forms a smooth ball and a thin film develops on the bottom of the pan.
4. Cool and Mix in Eggs: Transfer the dough to a mixer and let it cool slightly. Once cooled, mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the lightly beaten egg white and the grated lemon zest. Continue mixing until the dough is smooth and glossy.
5. Chill the Dough: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to make it easier to handle.
6. Pipe the Dough: Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill it with the dough. Pipe the dough onto small squares of oiled parchment paper.
7. Fry the Crullers: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 370°F (188°C). Carefully drop the parchment squares into the oil, dough side down. Fry until the crullers are golden brown and puffed, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Making the Glaze

1. Prepare the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, honey, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Dip the Crullers: Once the crullers have cooled, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed crullers on a wire rack to set.

Enjoy Your Crullers

With a prep time of 20 minutes, cooking time of 20 minutes, and a total time of 40 minutes, these Golden Lemon French Crullers are quick and easy to make. Each cruller is approximately 310 kcal, making them a delightful indulgence.

Serve these crullers as a special breakfast treat, a delightful dessert, or a show-stopping addition to your next brunch gathering. The combination of the light, airy doughnut and the sweet, tangy glaze is sure to impress your family and friends.

Happy baking!

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Feel free to share your experience making these Golden Lemon French Crullers in the comments below. I’d love to hear how they turned out for you and any creative twists you added to the recipe!