Capturing Cronut Hype to Help the Hungry

May 19, 2014 -- Even one year in, cronut mania is just not dying down.

With a new flavor every month, creator Dominique Ansel manages to keep the hype high. And in what might be his most popular pairing yet, exactly a year after the Cronut first blew up the pastry world, Ansel has teamed up with Nutella to create chocolate hazelnut spread-filled Cronut holes.

At just 12 months old, the accomplished and popular toddler pastry already boasts an impressive resume of feeding thousands of people from around the world who travel to the pastry shop to wait hours in line for a bite, as well as partaking in significant philanthropic side projects -- the croissant-donut hybrid has raised thousands of dollars for charity.

"Last year we raised over $100,000 to fight against hunger with City Harvest, the food bank of New York," Ansel said. "It's very important for me to be a part of this because I myself grew up with not too much food. So I know what it feels like."

Hundreds of people showed up to today's Nutella 50th anniversary event where the treats were free, arriving hours ahead of time in a line that stretched two New York City blocks.

"I don't think you ever get used to it [the crowds]," Ansel said. "We do something fun and good and we expect to have people come, but it’s always impressive to me to see that many people. I’m very honored."

For those who can't get a bite of the popular pastry, Ansel's sharing the recipe in his upcoming book, "Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes," out in October.