Cruffins Recipe: 12 Amazing Treats You'll Adore

Prepare to fall in love with the most delightful pastry to grace your kitchen: the Cruffins recipe! Imagine the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant baked into the convenient, charming shape of a muffin. That’s the magic of a cruffin—a hybrid baked good that delivers a crisp exterior with a soft, swirly, and buttery inside. These treats, which first gained fame in Australia, have become a global sensation, and for good reason. They look like they came straight from a high-end bakery, but what if I told you that you could whip them up in your own kitchen with minimal fuss?

This particular Cruffins recipe is my go-to for a weekend brunch or a special breakfast because it uses a brilliant shortcut: refrigerated crescent roll dough. This means you get all the impressive layers and buttery flavor without the time-consuming process of laminating dough from scratch. It’s a simple, quick, and family-friendly recipe that will make everyone think you’re a pastry genius. The cinnamon-sugar swirl in the middle makes each bite a warm, cozy delight, reminiscent of our popular Cinnamon Roll recipe, but with a unique, flaky texture that sets it apart. Get ready to fill your home with the incredible smell of baking butter and cinnamon; these cruffins are truly a joy to make and even more wonderful to eat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cruffins recipe is destined to become a staple in your baking rotation. It’s the kind of treat that looks incredibly impressive but is secretly simple to pull off. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again:

Incredibly Easy: This recipe uses store-bought crescent roll dough, which means you can skip the complex, multi-day process of making croissant dough from scratch. It’s a fantastic shortcut that delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.
Amazing Texture and Flavor: You get the best of both worlds! Each cruffin has the crisp, flaky layers of a croissant and the soft, tender crumb of a muffin. The buttery dough rolled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture creates a flavor that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
Looks Stunning: The unique spiral shape, with all the beautiful layers exposed, makes these cruffins look like they were made by a professional pastry chef. They are perfect for impressing guests at a brunch, holiday gathering, or special occasion.
Family-Friendly Fun: Rolling and shaping the dough is a fun activity to do with kids. The process is straightforward, and the result is a treat that everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, will absolutely love.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, you can have these warm, delicious cruffins on the table in about an hour. It’s the perfect recipe for a last-minute brunch idea or a spontaneous sweet craving.

Ingredients

Making this show-stopping Cruffins recipe requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you might already have on hand. Using refrigerated crescent roll sheets is the key to making this recipe quick and foolproof.

Refrigerated Crescent Roll Sheets: You will need 3 tubes (8 ounces each) of crescent roll sheets. If you can only find the perforated crescent rolls, simply pinch the seams together to form a solid sheet.
Unsalted Butter: 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Softened butter is crucial because it spreads easily without tearing the delicate dough.
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup of granulated sugar, which will be mixed with cinnamon for the filling and for coating the warm cruffins.
Ground Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon to create that classic, warm spice swirl inside each pastry.

For the Optional Cream Cheese Glaze:

For an extra layer of indulgence, like a classic cinnamon roll, you can top your cruffins with this simple glaze.

Cream Cheese: 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened.
Confectioners’ Sugar: ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar (also known as powdered sugar).
Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Milk: 1 to 2 tablespoons of whole milk, to reach your desired glaze consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible, bakery-style cruffins. This Cruffins recipe is designed to be easy, so don’t be intimidated by the beautiful results!

Prepare Your Pan and Oven: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside. This will prevent the cruffins from sticking.
Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll one of the crescent roll sheets. If you’re using the perforated kind, pinch the seams firmly to seal them into a single rectangle. Roll the dough out slightly to a rectangle of about 12×16 inches. Repeat this with the other two dough sheets.
Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until they are well combined.
Butter and Sugar the Dough: Take one of your rolled-out dough sheets. Spread 2 tablespoons of the softened butter evenly across the entire surface. Sprinkle about a third of your cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter, pressing it gently into the dough so it sticks. Set the remaining cinnamon-sugar aside for later. Repeat this for the other two dough sheets.
Roll and Cut the Logs: Starting from one of the long edges, roll each sheet of dough up tightly into a log. You will have three long logs. Using a sharp knife, cut each log in half crosswise, so you now have six shorter logs. Then, slice each of those shorter logs in half lengthwise. This cut is what exposes all those beautiful layers, so it’s an important step! You should end up with 12 pieces of dough in total.
Shape the Cruffins: Take one piece of dough at a time. With the cut, layered side facing out, roll it up into a tight spiral or swirl. Tuck the end piece of the dough underneath the roll to secure it. This shaping method ensures the layers are visible on top after baking.
Arrange in Muffin Tin: Place each rolled-up cruffin into one of the prepared muffin cups. The swirled, layered tops should be facing up.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cruffins are a deep golden brown and the tops look set and cooked through. You can rotate the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure they cook evenly.
Coat and Serve: As soon as you take the cruffins out of the oven, carefully remove them from the muffin tin. While they are still warm, roll each one in the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure to coat all sides. This gives them their signature sparkly, crunchy exterior.
Optional Glaze: If you’re adding the cream cheese glaze, prepare it while the cruffins bake. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk as needed until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm, sugar-coated cruffins, allowing it to melt into all the layers. Serve warm and enjoy immediately!

Serving Suggestions

Cruffins are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. While they are absolutely delicious on their own, here are a few ideas to elevate your Cruffins recipe experience:

Serve Them Warm: Cruffins are at their peak when served fresh and warm from the oven. The buttery layers are extra flaky, and the center is soft and gooey.
With a Hot Drink: The classic pairing is with a cup of hot coffee, a latte, or a cozy mug of hot chocolate. The warmth of the cinnamon complements these beverages perfectly.
Add a Filling: For an extra surprise, you can fill your cooled cruffins. Use a small knife to hollow out a space in the center and pipe in your favorite filling, such as Nutella, lemon curd, pastry cream, or fruit jam.
As a Dessert: Turn your cruffins into a decadent dessert by serving one warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce.
Brunch Spread: Feature these cruffins as the star of a brunch board. Arrange them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and savory items like quiche or bacon for a beautiful and balanced meal.

Recipe Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic cinnamon-sugar Cruffins recipe, feel free to get creative with different flavors and fillings. Here are some simple variations to try:

Fruity Cruffins: Before rolling up the dough, spread a thin layer of your favorite fruit jam—like raspberry, apricot, or blueberry—over the buttered surface.
Nutty Crunch: For added texture and flavor, sprinkle finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the cinnamon-sugar layer before rolling.
Chocolate Chip: Scatter a handful of mini chocolate chips over the dough for a melty, chocolatey twist.
Spiced Up: Add other warm spices to your cinnamon-sugar mixture. A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice can add a wonderful depth of flavor.
Savory Cruffins: For a savory version, skip the cinnamon and sugar. Instead, fill the dough with a mixture of softened butter, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.

FAQs

What exactly is a cruffin?
A cruffin is a hybrid pastry that combines a croissant and a muffin. It’s made from a layered, laminated dough (like a croissant) that is baked in a muffin tin, giving it the shape of a muffin. The result is a treat with a flaky, crisp outside and a soft, buttery inside.

What is the difference between a cruffin and a cronut?
The main difference is the cooking method. A cruffin is baked, while a cronut (a croissant-doughnut hybrid) is deep-fried. Cruffins are muffin-shaped, and cronuts are donut-shaped, often with a hole in the middle.

How do I store leftover cruffins?
Cruffins are best enjoyed the day they are baked. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To maintain their texture, it’s best to store them in a container that isn’t completely sealed, as an airtight container can make them sweat and lose their crispness. You can reheat them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes to refresh them.

Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough?
Yes, you absolutely can! Puff pastry is another excellent shortcut for making cruffins and will yield even flakier layers. The process of rolling, filling, and shaping is very similar.

What if I can only find perforated crescent rolls?
No problem! Simply unroll the dough and press the perforated seams together firmly with your fingers to create a single, solid sheet of dough before you begin adding the butter and sugar mixture.

Nutrition Facts

The nutritional information provided is an estimate for one cinnamon-sugar cruffin without the optional glaze. The exact values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used. This is intended as a general guide.

Nutrition Facts	Amount Per Serving (1 cruffin)
Calories	360
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	11g
Cholesterol	55mg
Sodium	410mg
Total Carbohydrate	45g
Dietary Fiber	5g
Total Sugars	7g
Protein	8g

Based on an estimated 2,000 calorie daily diet.

Recipe Tips

To ensure your Cruffins recipe turns out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind:

Use Softened, Not Melted, Butter: Make sure your butter for the filling is properly softened to a spreadable consistency. If it’s too cold, it will be hard to spread, and if it’s melted, it will leak out during baking.
Roll Tightly: When you roll the dough into a log, make sure it’s tight. A tight roll helps create more defined layers and a neater spiral shape.
Show Off the Layers: The trick to that beautiful, bakery-style look is cutting the logs lengthwise and rolling them with the cut, layered side facing out. This exposes the layers, which then fan out as they bake.
Don’t Overfill the Muffin Tin: The cruffins will puff up significantly while baking. The shaped dough should fit comfortably in the muffin cup before going into the oven.
Coat While Warm: For the cinnamon-sugar coating to stick properly, you must roll the cruffins in the mixture immediately after they come out of the oven. The heat helps the sugar adhere to the buttery surface.
Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife will give you clean cuts when slicing the dough logs, which helps preserve the distinct layers. A pizza cutter can also work well for the lengthwise cut.

Conclusion

This easy Cruffins recipe is your ticket to creating a truly special treat that bridges the gap between the humble muffin and the elegant croissant. With its buttery, flaky layers and sweet cinnamon swirl, it’s a pastry that feels both indulgent and comforting. The best part is that by using a simple shortcut like crescent roll dough, you can achieve stunning, bakery-worthy results without spending hours in the kitchen.

This simplified method gives you a taste of the pastry that took the world by storm, famously originating from bakeries like Australia’s renowned Lune Croissanterie. If this recipe sparks a passion for pastry making and you feel ready for the next challenge, we highly recommend exploring a from-scratch laminated dough. Food blogs like Sally’s Baking Addiction offer fantastic, detailed guides for homemade croissants.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday brunch, a lazy weekend morning, or just because you deserve a delicious treat, these cruffins are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. They are a testament to the fact that amazing food doesn’t have to be complicated. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do

Cruffins Recipe: 12 Amazing Treats You’ll Adore

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