Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240ml) Water
- 1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup (120g) All-Purpose Flour, plus extra for dusting
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)
- 4-6 cups Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil, for frying
- 2 cups (240g) Powdered Sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Milk or Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
- Combine water, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat, add flour all at once, and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl. Let cool slightly (about 5 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should be smooth and pipeable. Add nutmeg now.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pipe the choux pastry into cruller shapes (circles with a loop back to the starting point) onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Chill the piped crullers in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during frying.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully drop the chilled crullers into the hot oil, a few at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and puffed up.
- Remove the crullers with a spider skimmer and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- While the crullers are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more liquid if needed.
- Dip the cooled crullers into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over them.
- Let the glaze set completely before serving.