Go Back
Adam

Delicious Cruffins | Flaky, Buttery & Filled with Sweetness

If you’ve ever had to choose between a buttery croissant and a soft, tender muffin, the cruffin is here to make your life easier—by giving you both in one bite. This bakery-inspired hybrid is a flaky, laminated pastry baked in a muffin tin, then rolled in sugar and filled with something decadent, like jam, chocolate spread, or even cream cheese. Originating from creative pastry chefs who love to push boundaries, cruffins have gained global attention for their gorgeous layers, airy texture, and customizable fillings. You don’t need to be a professional baker to make them at home—just a little patience for the dough and some creativity for the filling. Once baked, these beauties can be finished with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, melted chocolate, or a sweet glaze. Every bite offers the perfect combination of crisp outer layers and a melt-in-your-mouth interior.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
bake time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 cruffins
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fresh Products:
  • 1 egg
Condiments:
  • Jam or chocolate spread for filling
Culinary Aids & Spices:
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • Cinnamon sugar for coating
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar for dough
  • Powdered sugar or melted chocolate for topping
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Flaky salt optional, for garnish
Dairy Products:
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened, for laminating dough
  • Grated cheese optional, for savory version
  • ¾ cup milk warm

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls (large and medium)
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Electric mixer with dough hook (or strong arms for kneading)
  • Rubber spatula
  • Rolling Pin
  • Bench scraper or knife
  • Muffin tin (standard size)
  • Parchment paper (optional, for lining)
  • Pastry brush
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
  1. In a small bowl, mix warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C) with granulated sugar.
  2. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Make the Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
  2. Add the yeast mixture and egg.
  3. Mix with a dough hook or by hand until dough is smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes).
  4. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Roll & Laminate
  1. Punch down the dough and divide into 4 pieces.
  2. Roll each piece into a thin rectangle.
  3. Spread softened butter evenly over each rectangle.
  4. Roll up tightly from the short side into a log.
  5. Cut each log lengthwise to expose layers.
Step 4: Shape into Cruffins
  1. Take one cut piece and roll it into a spiral shape.
  2. Place each spiral into a greased muffin cup.
  3. Cover loosely and let rise for another 30–40 minutes.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bake cruffins for 18–22 minutes, until golden and flaky.
  3. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin.
Step 6: Fill & Finish
  1. Use a piping bag to fill each cruffin with jam, chocolate spread, or cream.
  2. Roll in cinnamon sugar or dust with powdered sugar.
  3. Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate or sprinkle with flaky salt.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Freezer:
Freeze unfilled cruffins for up to 1 month. Reheat before filling.
Reheating:
Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes before serving.
🥄 Variations
Savory Cheese Cruffins: Fill with grated cheese before baking for a savory twist.
Nutella Cruffins: Use chocolate-hazelnut spread as filling.
Fruit Preserve Cruffins: Try raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam.
Lemon Curd Cruffins: Fill with tangy lemon curd for a citrus hit.
Cinnamon Roll Cruffins: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar before rolling for a cinnamon swirl effect.
Mini Cruffins: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats.
Glazed Cruffins: Top with a simple powdered sugar glaze.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What is a cruffin?
A cross between a croissant and a muffin, baked in a muffin tin for shape.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes—refrigerate overnight and shape the next day.
3. Do I have to use a stand mixer?
No—kneading by hand works, but takes longer.
4. Can I skip the filling?
Yes—they’re delicious plain, rolled in cinnamon sugar.
5. Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes—though it won’t have the exact same texture as homemade laminated dough.
6. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes—use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend.
7. Why do my cruffins collapse?
They may be underbaked—ensure they are golden and cooked through.
8. Can I make them vegan?
Yes—use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg replacer.
9. Can I use different fillings in one batch?
Absolutely—make each cruffin unique!
10. How do I get more visible layers?
Roll the dough as thin as possible before buttering and rolling up.
🏁 Conclusion
The Delicious Cruffins recipe brings the magic of bakery-style pastries right into your kitchen. With their irresistible flaky layers, rich buttery taste, and endless filling options, these hybrid treats are sure to impress at breakfast, brunch, or dessert time. Whether you prefer them sweet with jam or indulgent with chocolate spread, cruffins prove that sometimes the best ideas come from blending two classics into one unforgettable bite.