Cruffins Recipe

The Ultimate Cruffins Recipe: Heavenly Buttery Breakfast Treat

Pastry enthusiasts go wild for this irresistible cruffins recipe that combines the flakiness of croissants with the sweet charm of muffins.

This delectable hybrid dessert takes bakery skills to new heights with its intricate layers and buttery texture.

Each golden-brown cruffin promises a delightful blend of crisp exterior and soft, pillowy interior.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this surprisingly approachable treat with a few key techniques.

The secret lies in carefully folded dough and precise temperature control.

Professional bakeries have nothing on you when you nail these magnificent pastries.

You’ll wow everyone at the breakfast table or afternoon tea with these stunning cruffins that look as incredible as they taste.

Cruffin: What’s So Fun About Cruffins?

Cruffin: What’s So Fun About Cruffins?
  • Craft Bakery Magic: Transform simple crescent roll dough into a stunning pastry that looks like it's straight from a professional bakery, impressing everyone with minimal baking skills.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up a delightful treat in under an hour that satisfies sweet cravings with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation, perfect for spontaneous gatherings.
  • Versatile Breakfast Delight: Create a breakfast or brunch showstopper that bridges the gap between muffins and croissants, offering a unique twist on classic morning pastries that kids and adults will love.
  • No-Fuss Customization: Easily adapt the recipe by experimenting with different sugar coatings, adding fillings, or trying alternative spices to make this recipe your own signature creation.

Cruffin Ingredient Checklist

Dough Base:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: A convenient and versatile pastry base that provides the foundation for the cruffin's flaky texture.
Butter and Sugar Layer:
  • Butter, Softened: Creates a rich, smooth layer that helps distribute flavor and promotes a tender pastry.
  • Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Combine to create a sweet and aromatic coating that adds warmth and depth to the cruffins.
Preparation Essentials:
  • Nonstick Cooking Spray: Ensures the cruffins do not stick to the muffin tin during baking.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Used for lightly dusting the work surface to prevent the dough from sticking while rolling.

Cruffin: Steps to Flaky Perfection

Cruffin: Steps to Flaky Perfection

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Grab a standard muffin tin and give it a light spray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Stretch Out the Dough

On a flour-dusted surface, gently roll out each crescent roll dough into a generous 12×16-inch rectangle.

If you’re using perforated dough, pinch those seams together like you’re sealing a secret.

Step 3: Butter Things Up

Grab your softened butter and spread it generously across each dough sheet, making sure every inch gets some buttery love.

Step 4: Mix Magical Coating

In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Blend until they become best friends.

Step 5: Sprinkle the Magic

Dust each buttered dough sheet with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, pressing it gently into the dough.

Save some of this sweet powder for the grand finale.

Step 6: Create Perfect Logs

Starting from the long edge, roll each dough sheet into a tight log, just like you’re crafting the world’s most delicious sleeping bag.

Step 7: Slice and Divide

Chop each log in half crosswise, then slice those halves lengthwise.

You’ll end up with 12 dough sections that are ready for transformation.

Step 8: Shape the Cruffins

Roll each dough section with the cut side facing out, creating a beautiful spiral.

Tuck the end underneath or pinch it to the side.

Nestle each piece into a muffin tin cup.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Watch for a golden-brown color and a puffed-up appearance that screams “I’m delicious!”

Step 10: Final Sugar Shower

Right after removing from the oven, while they’re still hot, roll each cruffin in the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.

This is where the magic happens!

Step 11: Enjoy Warm and Wonderful

Serve these beauties warm for maximum flavor and texture.

They’re equally delightful at room temperature, but who can wait that long?

Cruffin: Tricks for Great Results

  • Pinch crescent roll dough seams together firmly to prevent uneven baking and ensure a smooth, cohesive pastry.
  • Use room temperature butter that spreads easily and evenly across the dough for consistent flavor and texture.
  • When creating logs and spirals, roll the dough tightly to maintain the intricate layers and prevent gaps in the cruffin.
  • Roll cruffins in cinnamon-sugar mixture immediately after baking while they're hot to help the sugar adhere better and create a delightful crispy exterior.
  • Keep cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness, reheating briefly before serving to restore their original texture.

Cruffin: Customize Your Cruffin Experience

  • Chocolate Swirl Cruffins: Replace cinnamon with cocoa powder and add chocolate chips inside the dough for a rich, decadent version.
  • Savory Herb Cruffins: Swap sugar for grated parmesan cheese and sprinkle dried herbs like thyme and rosemary for a savory breakfast pastry.
  • Gluten-Free Cruffins: Use gluten-free crescent roll dough and almond flour to create a celiac-friendly alternative that maintains the original's flaky texture.
  • Fruit-Filled Cruffins: Add a thin layer of raspberry or apple preserves before rolling the dough to create a fruity, jam-packed breakfast treat.

Cruffin: Presentation for Every Occasion

  • Breakfast Bliss Pair these warm, flaky cruffins with a steaming cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful morning treat that kickstarts your day with sweetness.
  • Dessert Decadence Transform cruffins into an elegant dessert by drizzling them with rich chocolate sauce, dusting with powdered sugar, or serving alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luxurious finish.
  • Brunch Centerpiece Create a stunning brunch spread by arranging cruffins on a beautiful platter, accompanied by fresh berries, whipped cream, and a selection of jams or flavored spreads for guests to customize their experience.
  • Gifting Delight Package these cruffins in a cute box with parchment paper, tie with a ribbon, and surprise friends or family with a homemade treat that shows how much you care about their happiness.

Cruffin: Storage Know-How

  • Store cooled cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their delightful texture and prevent them from drying out.
  • Wrap individual cruffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring maximum freshness and easy future enjoyment.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed cruffins in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft, flaky interior.
  • Always let cruffins cool completely before storing to prevent condensation, which can make the pastry soggy and less appetizing.

FAQs

  • Are cruffins difficult to make?

Not at all! With basic ingredients like crescent roll dough, butter, and cinnamon sugar, these pastries are surprisingly simple to create, even for beginner bakers.

  • Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent roll tubes?

While the recipe is designed for pre-made crescent roll dough, you could experiment with homemade puff pastry or croissant dough for a more artisanal version.

  • How do I ensure my cruffins have a perfect spiral shape?

When rolling the dough sections, keep the cut side facing outward and make sure to roll tightly. Tucking the end piece underneath helps maintain the spiral structure.

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Cruffins Recipe

Cruffins Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cruffins merge pastry magic from France and Australia, creating a buttery, flaky marvel that delights taste buds. Crisp layers and delicate swirls promise a memorable breakfast experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

  • 3 tubes (8 ounces/226 grams each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Finishing and Binding:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace by positioning rack in center of oven and heating to 350F (175C). Coat a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray.
  2. Flatten crescent roll dough into 12×16-inch rectangles on a floured surface. Carefully seal any perforated seams to create smooth sheets.
  3. Generously spread softened butter across entire surface of each dough rectangle, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  4. Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small mixing bowl, whisking until thoroughly integrated.
  5. Distribute cinnamon-sugar mixture across buttered dough, gently pressing into surface using hands or rolling pin. Reserve some mixture for final coating.
  6. Tightly roll each dough sheet from the long edge, creating uniform cylindrical logs similar to traditional cinnamon rolls.
  7. Slice each log into quarters: first cut logs in half crosswise, then split each half lengthwise, producing 12 total dough sections.
  8. Transform each dough section into a spiral shape, positioning cut layers outwardly. Secure loose ends by tucking underneath or pinching against roll’s side.
  9. Nestle spiral sections into prepared muffin tin compartments, maintaining consistent placement.
  10. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and beautifully puffed, monitoring for even coloration.
  11. Immediately extract cruffins from tin while hot. Enthusiastically coat exterior with remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture for maximum flavor enhancement.
  12. Serve warm for optimal taste and textural experience, though room temperature remains delightful.

Notes

  • Perfectly Seal Dough Ensure crescent roll seams are tightly pinched to prevent separation during baking, creating a smooth and uniform pastry texture.
  • Butter Temperature Softened butter works best for even spreading, allowing smooth distribution across the dough without tearing.
  • Spiral Technique When forming cruffins, roll with cut side outward to maximize beautiful layered spiral appearance and create delightful textural complexity.
  • Coating Timing Roll cruffins in cinnamon-sugar immediately after baking while still hot, helping sugar adhere better and creating a deliciously crisp exterior.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 199
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 292 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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