If you are looking for a treat that captures the buttery flakiness of a croissant with the portable fun of a muffin, then you are in for a delightful surprise with this Delicious Cruffins Recipe. Cruffins are the perfect hybrid pastry that brings together the best of both worlds—layers of tender, buttery dough rolled up and baked in a muffin form. This recipe will have you enjoying a golden, cinnamon-sugar crust with soft, melt-in-your-mouth layers inside, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack anytime. Get ready to wow your taste buds and impress anyone lucky enough to share these scrumptious cruffins with you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every amazing recipe starts with simple, quality ingredients, and this Delicious Cruffins Recipe is no exception. Each component plays a vital role, whether it’s creating the perfect dough, adding that irresistible cinnamon sugar crust, or ensuring the buttery layers come through in every bite.
- Active dry yeast: This is the secret behind the dough’s rise and fluffiness, giving the cruffins that lovely light texture.
- Warm water (100°-110°F): Used to bloom the yeast gently without killing it, kickstarting the fermentation process.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough and for lamination to create delicate layers.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, making the dough golden and flavorful.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Vital for the rich flavor and flakiness, one part for mixing into the dough, and a generous amount for laminating the layers and creating the cinnamon butter coating.
- Ground cinnamon: This brings warm, comforting flavor to the sugar coating, transforming these cruffins into something magical.
How to Make Delicious Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining the active dry yeast with warm water (between 100° and 110°F). Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly. This means your yeast is alive and ready to make the dough rise beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and kosher salt. Add the melted butter and the yeast mixture. Stir everything until a shaggy dough forms, then knead it on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. This kneading develops the gluten, creating that perfect chewy yet tender structure.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size – roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. This rise helps develop flavor and airy texture.
Step 4: Prepare the Butter Lamination
While the dough is resting, mix the softened butter with one tablespoon of flour. This mixture creates the butter block essential for laminating the dough. Chill this butter block in the fridge until firm but pliable, about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Roll and Laminate the Dough
Roll the dough out into a large rectangle on a floured surface, approximately 16 by 10 inches. Place the chilled butter block over two-thirds of the dough, fold the unbuttered third over the butter, then fold the remaining third on top, creating a layered envelope. Roll this out again and fold once more to build the flaky layers. Repeat this lamination process two to three times, chilling the dough if it gets too soft.
Step 6: Shape the Cruffins
Roll the laminated dough tightly into a log shape. Slice this log into equal pieces, about 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Place each piece standing upright into a greased muffin tin. This shape will bake into the signature cruffin outline with beautiful spirals of flaky layers.
Step 7: Second Rise
Cover the muffin tin loosely and allow the dough to rise again until almost doubled and puffy, about 45 minutes to an hour. This second rise assures the cruffins stay airy and tender inside.
Step 8: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Butter
Mix softened butter with granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. This will be your delicious topping to brush on the cruffins once baked.
Step 9: Bake and Glaze
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cruffins for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden and cooked through. Right out of the oven, brush each cruffin generously with the cinnamon sugar butter mixture so it melts into the warm layers, adding richness and a tantalizing sugary crunch.
How to Serve Delicious Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, dust your cruffins with powdered sugar or a light drizzle of honey or glaze. Fresh berries on the side can also add a vibrant, fresh burst that complements the warm cinnamon flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
Cruffins pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, making them an ideal accompaniment for lazy weekend mornings or casual brunches. For a heartier breakfast, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests, serve the cruffins in small decorative paper liners or alongside a ramekin of fruit preserves for dipping. Stacking them on a tiered cake stand creates a fun, bakery-style display perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keeping them sealed prevents drying out and maintains their tender flakiness.
Freezing
If you want to save cruffins for longer, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. They can last up to 2 months frozen without losing their delicious texture.
Reheating
To enjoy cruffins fresh from the freezer, thaw them at room temperature and then warm briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 to 7 minutes. This refreshes their crisp exterior and revives that lovely flaky texture we all love.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought croissant dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using store-bought croissant dough can be a great shortcut if you are short on time. Just follow the shaping and baking steps as described, and you’ll still end up with tasty, flaky cruffins.
Do I need a stand mixer to make the dough?
Nope! While a stand mixer can make kneading easier, you can definitely knead this dough by hand on a clean surface. It’s a soothing, hands-on experience that makes baking even more satisfying.
How important is the lamination process?
It’s crucial! Laminating the dough creates those signature thin buttery layers that give cruffins their flaky texture. Skipping or rushing this step can result in a denser pastry.
Can I experiment with different fillings or toppings?
Yes! Cruffins are super versatile. Try adding chocolate chips, fruit preserves, or nutella before rolling the dough, or top with nuts and glaze after baking for exciting variations.
What’s the best way to enjoy cruffins fresh?
Enjoy them shortly after baking when they are still warm. The outside is lightly crispy and sugary, and the inside is soft and buttery – absolute bliss in every bite.
Final Thoughts
Making this Delicious Cruffins Recipe at home is one of those truly rewarding kitchen adventures where effort meets incredible results. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with loved ones, these cruffins deliver a perfect balance of buttery, flaky, sweet, and comforting. Give this recipe a try soon and get ready to fall in love with every fluffy, cinnamon-kissed layer!
PrintDelicious Cruffins Recipe
Delicious Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, featuring a flaky, buttery laminated dough rolled with a cinnamon sugar filling and baked into a perfectly shaped, tender treat. This recipe guides you through making the croissant dough, lamination with butter for layers, and creating the sweet cinnamon sugar filling for irresistible cruffins ideal for breakfast or dessert.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Croissant Dough
- 2 packets (0.25 ounces each) active dry yeast, or 4 ½ teaspoons
- 1 ½ cups water, warmed to 100°-110°F
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Lamination
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks / 340 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Cruffins Filling
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks / 170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warmed water (100°-110°F). Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Add the melted butter and activated yeast mixture. Mix until the ingredients come together to form a dough.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Butter Block for Lamination: In a bowl, mix the softened butter with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour until smooth. Shape the butter into a square block, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill it until firm but pliable.
- Laminate Dough: Roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle. Place the butter block on one half of the dough and fold the other half over to encase it completely. Roll out and fold the dough in thirds (like a letter), then chill it for 30 minutes. Repeat this rolling and folding process two more times, chilling between each turn to create layers.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until smooth and well mixed.
- Shape Cruffins: Roll out the laminated dough into a large rectangle. Spread an even layer of the cinnamon sugar butter mixture over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into individual pieces approximately 2 inches wide. Place each piece into a greased muffin tin, standing upright.
- Proof Cruffins: Cover the shaped cruffins and let them rise for another 45-60 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cruffins for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before removing from the muffin tin.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate yeast is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Lamination is key for flaky layers, so keep the dough and butter cold during rolling.
- You can substitute ground cinnamon with mixed spice or other preferred spices for variation.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the rolled dough into neat pieces to avoid squishing the layers.
- The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; watch for a deep golden brown color as a cue.
