Apple Pecan Pie Cronuts with Apple Cider Caramel Drizzle

This delightful recipe combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the indulgent sweetness of a doughnut, resulting in a cronut that's perfect for fall. Filled with spiced apples and crunchy pecans, and topped with a rich apple cider caramel drizzle, these cronuts are a festive treat that captures the essence of the season. Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying something new, this recipe offers both a traditional and a simplified approach to making cronuts at home.

Ingredients

For the Cronuts:

• 1/2 batch of homemade croissant dough (prepared through step 7)
  or

• 2 cans of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  
  

Filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 1/2 cups chopped Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

Apple Cider Caramel:

• 2 cups apple cider

• 1/4 cup butter

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 3/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons apple cider caramel sauce

• 1 tablespoon milk
  
  

Instructions

Preparing the Cronuts with Homemade Dough:

1. Roll out croissant dough to about 1/3-inch thickness.

2. Cut as many 3-inch rounds as possible. Re-roll scraps and cut additional rounds (about 8 total).

3. Place cronuts on a floured baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rest for 1 hour.
   
   

Preparing the Cronuts with Crescent Dough:

1. Unroll crescent dough and press triangles into rectangles.

2. Stack and fold the rectangles, pressing lightly.

3. Roll dough out to 1/3-inch thickness and cut into 3-inch rounds.

4. Place on floured baking sheet and rest for 1 hour.
   
   

Make the Apple Pecan Filling:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Add chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook until tender.

3. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Let cool.
   
   

Fry the Cronuts:

1. Cut out the centers of the dough rounds to make donut shapes.

2. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).

3. Fry cronuts in batches for 1–2 minutes per side or until golden.

4. Drain on paper towels.
   
   

Prepare the Apple Cider Caramel:

1. Boil apple cider until reduced to 1/2 cup.

2. Stir in butter, brown sugar, cream, and cinnamon. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.

3. Add vanilla and let cool slightly.
   
   

Make the Frosting:

1. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.

3. Mix in caramel and milk until smooth and spreadable.
   
   

Assemble the Cronuts:

1. Fill each cronut with apple-pecan filling.

2. Drizzle with caramel sauce.

3. Top with frosting.
   
   

Serving and Nutritional Information

Servings: 8 cronuts
Calories per serving: Approximately 451 kcal

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.