HOW TO MAKE CRONUTS, PART I (THE DOUGH)

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How to Make Cronuts, Part I (The Dough) image

Cronuts are the donuts 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.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Yeast Bread

Time 5h5m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 11

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

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240.5 calories, Carbohydrate 27.7 g, Cholesterol 44.5 mg, Fat 12.4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 7.6 g, Sodium 188.9 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

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