If you’re looking to wow your friends with something totally joyful, irresistibly flaky, and surprisingly easy, these ** Cruffins are your new obsession. Imagine all the buttery layers of a croissant melding with the cuddly convenience of a muffin — that’s the genius of this hybrid treat. Swirled with cinnamon sugar, a hint of optional jam or chocolate, and crowned with a cloud of powdered sugar, every bite is a glorious mix of crisp, pillowy softness. Trust me, once you bake a batch of these ** Cruffins, you’ll be hooked and so will everyone lucky enough to snag one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Puff Pastry:
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
Melted Butter:
2 tablespoons
Granulated Sugar:
1/4 cup
Ground Cinnamon:
1 teaspoon
Optional Filling:
2 tablespoons jam, chocolate spread, or nut butter
Powdered Sugar:
for dusting
How to Make ** Cruffins
Step 1: Prep the Basics
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and get your muffin tin ready by giving it a light grease. This ensures your ** Cruffins slide out easily and keep their gorgeous swirled shape when they’re done. If you’re using frozen puff pastry, check that it’s fully thawed — it needs to be pliable but still cold to get those iconic flaky layers.
Step 2: Roll and Butter
On a lightly floured surface, lay out your puff pastry and use a rolling pin to smooth out any crease lines or bumps. You want a seamless surface for even layering. Brush the entire sheet with melted butter — don’t be shy here, this step is key to rich, golden cruffins that taste as decadent as they look.
Step 3: Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar
Now the magic! Mix your granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a little bowl. Sprinkle this dreamy combo all over the buttery pastry, edge to edge. If you like, this is the perfect time to add a thin layer of jam, chocolate spread, or nut butter — just keep it light so you don’t lose the swirl.
Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Shape the Cruffins
Carefully roll up the puff pastry, jelly roll–style, starting from the long side. Try to keep the roll tight but not so tight that the filling squishes out. With a sharp knife, slice the roll lengthwise down the center, exposing all those jaw-dropping layers. Take each half and coil it into a spiral, making sure the cut side faces out. This trick is what transforms the look of your ** Cruffins from basic to bakery-worthy.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Nestle each spiral into your prepared muffin tin slot, cut side out and up. Pop the tin in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cruffins are deeply golden and dramatically puffed. Your kitchen will smell incredible! Let them cool for a few minutes before carefully lifting them out — the layers will be delicate and crispy.
Step 6: Sweet Finishing Touches
After a short cool down, dust your ** Cruffins generously with powdered sugar. Serve them warm for gooey, melt-in-your-mouth goodness that’s impossible to forget.
How to Serve ** Cruffins
Garnishes
A snowy shake of powdered sugar never fails, but you can also add thin drizzles of glaze or melted chocolate for extra flair. A sprinkle of toasted nuts or a pinch of citrus zest adds an elegant twist and makes each cruffin feel like something straight out of your favorite patisserie.
Side Dishes
** Cruffins make an epic partner to your first cup of morning coffee, a cozy chai, or a tall glass of ice-cold milk. For brunch, try pairing them with a fresh fruit salad to balance out the sweetness. If you’re feeling extra, stack them alongside creamy scrambled eggs or a tangy yogurt parfait for an all-star spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your ** Cruffins piled high on a pretty cake stand for maximum bakery drama. For an interactive brunch, set up a topping bar — fresh berries, whipped cream, jams, or even a small bowl of melted chocolate for dunking. If gifting, nestle a few in a box lined with parchment and tie with a satin ribbon. Instant happiness, guaranteed!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover ** Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Their crispness is best on the first day, but a quick warm-up returns them to just-baked glory. If your kitchen is humid, consider refrigerating to prevent sogginess, though room temp is usually perfect for this pastry.
Freezing
For longer storage, let the cruffins cool completely, then individually wrap them in plastic wrap or foil and stash in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They’ll stay tasty for up to two months. When a craving hits, you’re just minutes away from fresh, homemade bakery vibes.
Reheating
To revive day-old or frozen ** Cruffins, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–8 minutes. This crisps up the pastry and melts the sugar topping just enough to make them irresistible. Skip the microwave — it tends to make puff pastry chewy instead of flaky.
FAQs
Can I use croissant dough instead of puff pastry for cruffins?
Absolutely! Using croissant dough gives even more buttery softness and those classic airy layers. It’s a fantastic choice if you want a richer, more “from scratch” experience for your next batch of ** Cruffins.
What fillings work best for cruffins?
You can really have fun here! Along with cinnamon sugar, try thin layers of fruit jam, chocolate spread, or nut butters. You can also sprinkle in chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture. Just keep fillings thin so you don’t lose that stunning swirl.
Why do I need to slice the pastry roll lengthwise?
Cutting the rolled pastry lengthwise exposes all those beautiful layers and helps the cruffins spiral and rise while baking. This simple trick is what sets ** Cruffins apart and makes them look (and taste) ultra-special.
Can I make cruffins ahead of time?
Totally! You can assemble them a few hours in advance and store the filled muffin tin in the fridge. Pop them straight into the oven when you’re ready to bake. They’re best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers and they’ll still be delicious!
How do I keep cruffins from sticking to the muffin tin?
Make sure to thoroughly grease your muffin tin, or use parchment liners for insurance. Puff pastry tends to be buttery, but the cinnamon-sugar and any filling can get sticky as it bakes, so generous greasing or lining is your best bet for perfect cruffin removal.
Final Thoughts
If you love a sweet project and crave something out-of-the-ordinary, these ** Cruffins are about to steal your baking heart. There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of pulling them from the oven and seeing those wild, golden swirls. Give them a try and don’t be surprised if they become your new weekend tradition!
Print** Cruffins Recipe
Indulge in the delightful marriage of a croissant and a muffin with these scrumptious cruffins. Flaky puff pastry rolled with cinnamon sugar and optional fillings, baked to golden perfection, and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 cruffins
- Category: Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-European Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
Melted Butter:
2 tablespoons
Granulated Sugar:
1/4 cup
Ground Cinnamon:
1 teaspoon
Optional Filling:
2 tablespoons jam, chocolate spread, or nut butter
Powdered Sugar:
for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin.
- Prepare the pastry: Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and add optional filling.
- Roll and cut: Roll the pastry into a tight log, cut lengthwise, then roll each half into a spiral and place in the muffin tin.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra richness, use croissant dough instead of puff pastry.
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit for additional texture.
- Best served fresh but can be reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: ~210 kcal
- Sugar: ~10 g
- Sodium: ~120 mg
- Fat: ~12 g
- Saturated Fat: ~4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8 g
- Trans Fat: ~0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~22 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: ~10 mg