📖 Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps! This is super important for a light and airy cruller.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. This wet mixture should be smooth and glossy. If it looks lumpy, give it another whisk.
3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently with a wooden spoon or spatula just until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix – a few lumps are totally okay! Overmixing will make tough crullers. Trust me on this one, I learned the hard way!
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 30 seconds, just to bring the dough together. It should be soft and slightly sticky, but not overly wet. If it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon or two of flour, but not too much!
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. This step may require a little muscle. Remember to keep adding flour so the dough doesn't stick to your countertop or to the rolling pin.
6. Use a 3-inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out the crullers. It's ok if your shapes are not perfect, they'll be yummy either way! Try to make them uniform but don't stress about it!
7. Carefully transfer the crullers to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave some space between each one so they have room to expand while baking. You may need two baking sheets depending on how much dough you have.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the crullers are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them because every oven is different; you may need to reduce the cooking time depending on your oven.
9. Once the crullers are completely cool, dust generously with powdered sugar. And if you are feeling extra fancy, drizzle a little chocolate sauce over top or add some fresh berries.
10. Serve and enjoy your delicious Coastal Crullers! They're best served fresh, but they'll still be tasty for a day or two in an airtight container. Don't forget to share them with your friends! Unless you don't want to, it's totally your call...