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Delicious Cruffins Recipe – Flaky, Buttery & Filled with Sweet Delight

Ever wondered what happens when a croissant and a muffin join forces? You get the irresistibly delicious Cruffin — a flaky, buttery pastry with a muffin’s shape and a croissant’s tender, laminated layers. These Delicious Cruffins are filled with your favorite jam or chocolate spread, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate. They’re pork-free, alcohol-free, and the ultimate pastry indulgence you can bake at home. Perfect for a fancy brunch, a holiday breakfast, or a weekend baking adventure, cruffins are simpler than they look and are guaranteed to impress!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
bake & Rest time 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 cruffins
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🥚 Fresh Produce
  • 1 large egg
🥣 Dry Ingredients
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Cinnamon sugar for coating
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Flaky sea salt optional, for topping
🧈 Dairy
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened (plus extra for greasing)
  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • Grated cheese optional, for a savory twist
🍯 Condiments & Fillings
  • Jam or chocolate spread your choice
  • Melted chocolate optional for drizzling

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook (or hand kneading)
  • Rolling Pin
  • Muffin tin (12-count)
  • Pastry brush
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter
  • Small bowl for cinnamon sugar
  • Clean towel or plastic wrap

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
  1. In a small bowl, dissolve active dry yeast in ¾ cup warm milk (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
  3. Add the egg and activated yeast mixture.
  4. Knead with a dough hook for 6–8 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Butter for Laminating
  1. Divide ¾ cup softened butter into small chunks.
  2. Place butter on a piece of parchment paper, shape into a rectangle (about 6x8 inches), and refrigerate while the dough is rising.
Step 3: Roll & Laminate the Dough
  1. Once dough has doubled, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
  2. Roll into a large rectangle (about 12x18 inches).
  3. Spread the chilled butter evenly over the dough.
  4. Fold the dough into thirds like a letter (lamination fold).
  5. Rotate the dough 90°, roll out again, and fold once more.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to relax the gluten.
Step 4: Shape the Cruffins
  1. Roll the dough out again into a thin rectangle (approx. 12x20 inches).
  2. Spread a thin layer of jam or chocolate spread across the entire surface.
  3. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 6 long strips.
  4. Roll each strip up into a tight coil, then stand them upright in greased muffin cups.
  5. Cover loosely and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 5: Bake the Cruffins
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
  3. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
  1. Brush warm cruffins with melted butter.
  2. Roll or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  3. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
  4. Optional: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty balance.
  5. For a savory version, sprinkle grated cheese on top before baking.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing:
Freeze baked cruffins (unfilled) for up to 2 months. Reheat and fill before serving.
Reheating:
Warm in the oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds.
🥄 Variations
Savory Cheese Cruffins: Skip sweet fillings and sprinkle grated cheese & herbs before rolling.
Nutella Cruffins: Use Nutella spread for a chocolate-hazelnut twist.
Cinnamon Roll Cruffins: Fill with cinnamon sugar paste and top with a cream cheese glaze.
Berry Jam Cruffins: Use raspberry or strawberry jam with fresh berry garnishes.
Lemon Poppy Cruffins: Add lemon zest and a light lemon glaze post-bake.
Pistachio Honey Cruffins: Fill with pistachio paste and drizzle with honey.
Maple Pecan Cruffins: Fill with chopped pecans and maple syrup drizzle.
Chocolate Chip Cruffins: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips inside the layers.
Almond Cruffins: Fill with almond paste and dust with powdered sugar & slivered almonds.
Vegan Cruffins: Use plant-based butter and a flax egg substitute.
❓ 10 FAQs
Do I need a stand mixer?
It makes kneading easier, but you can knead by hand for about 10–12 minutes.
Can I use store-bought croissant dough?
Yes, but homemade dough gives a superior texture and flavor.
What’s the best filling for cruffins?
Jam, chocolate spread, or even a simple cinnamon-sugar paste.
Can I make cruffins ahead of time?
Yes, shape and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh the next morning.
How do I get extra flaky layers?
Keep the dough chilled between folds and don't overwork.
Can I freeze cruffins after baking?
Absolutely. Freeze unfilled and reheat as needed.
Is it necessary to laminate the dough?
For that signature flaky texture, laminating is key.
How do I prevent cruffins from sticking to the pan?
Grease well or use foil muffin liners.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though texture may vary.
What’s the difference between a cruffin and a croissant?
A cruffin is a croissant-shaped into a muffin form, often filled and sugar-coated.
🏁 Conclusion
These Delicious Cruffins are a delightful fusion of flaky croissant layers and a muffin's charm — filled with sweet jam or chocolate, dusted with sugar, and impossible to resist. With simple ingredients and a little love, you can recreate this bakery-style treat at home without pork products, alcohol, or complicated steps.
Perfect for brunch tables, coffee breaks, or a special breakfast surprise.