Start by bringing 1 cup of water, 1/3 cup of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Watch as the butter melts and combines with the water, creating a rich base for the dough.
Once it reaches a rolling boil, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once, using a wooden spoon. The dough will come together quickly, forming a thick mixture.
Let the dough cool for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the mixture to settle and cool down before adding the eggs.
After cooling, add 3 large eggs one at a time to the dough, stirring well after each addition. The mixture will become smooth and glossy, a sign it’s ready for the next step.
For added lightness, gently fold in 1-2 slightly beaten egg whites into the mixture. This will help aerate the dough, ensuring the crullers are fluffy.
Cut small squares of parchment paper, about 4 inches by 4 inches each. Place them on a baking sheet and set aside for later.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, such as a Wilton 199 or Ateco 869, with the dough. Make sure it’s tightly packed for easy piping.
In a heavy-bottomed pot, fill it with vegetable oil to a depth of at least 4 inches. Heat the oil to 370 degrees Fahrenheit; you can test with a small drop of dough—it should bubble vigorously.
Pipe the dough in a circular motion onto the prepared parchment paper, forming the crullers. Depending on your pot's size, fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
Carefully place each cruller into the hot oil, parchment paper side up. Fry for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown. If they start to burn, lower the heat slightly.
Once cooked, remove the crullers from the oil and place them on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
While they cool, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, mix 1 1/3 cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of honey, and enough 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to achieve a smooth consistency.
Dip each cooled cruller in the glaze, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Then place them back on the cooling rack to set.