Soft, crisp layers of buttery puff pastry hug a heart of sweet cinnamon sugar, creating a golden, pillowy cruffin bursting with warmth and nostalgic flavors. These flaky cruffins are a delightful cross between a muffin and a croissant, offering the perfect balance of crispy, tender layers and a sweet, spiced filling. Ideal for a weekend treat or as a dessert for any occasion, these cruffins will quickly become a favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Flaky and Buttery: The puff pastry creates delicate layers that are crisp on the outside and soft inside, giving these cruffins the perfect texture.
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Sweet Cinnamon Sugar: The cinnamon-sugar filling is sweet, fragrant, and perfectly balanced—just the right amount of spice and sweetness.
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Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and simple steps, these cruffins are easy to prepare and bake. They’ll look like they came from a bakery, but you can make them at home with ease.
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Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these cruffins are sure to impress guests or satisfy your own sweet cravings.
Ingredients
For the Cruffins:
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1 package puff pastry (about 17 oz/500g)
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup light brown sugar
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1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Prepare a muffin tin by greasing each cup or lining it with paper liners.
Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
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On a clean, flat surface, lightly flour the area to prevent the pastry from sticking.
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Unroll the puff pastry sheets and, if needed, gently roll them out to ensure they are about 1/8-inch thick.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling
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In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together until well combined. This will be your cinnamon-sugar filling.
Step 4: Assemble the Cruffins
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Using a pastry brush, brush a thin layer of melted butter over one side of the puff pastry.
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Evenly sprinkle a generous amount of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered pastry, covering the entire surface.
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Carefully cut the pastry into strips about 2-3 inches wide.
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Take each strip and tightly roll it up from one end, forming a spiral.
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Place each rolled-up strip into the muffin tin, standing upright like a coil, so that they resemble a cruffin shape. Gently press the ends to secure the rolls in place.
Step 5: Bake the Cruffins
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Repeat with the remaining strips, filling each muffin cup.
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Brush the tops of each cruffin with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle with any leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cruffins are golden brown and puffed up.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
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Remove from the oven and let the cruffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
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Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, buttery, cinnamon-sugar goodness!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8 servings (1 cruffin per person)
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Rest Time: 5 minutes
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Bake Time: 20-25 minutes
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Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations and Substitutions
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Flavor Add-ins: Experiment by adding a few drops of vanilla extract or almond extract to the cinnamon-sugar filling for a unique twist.
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Glazed Cruffins: For extra indulgence, drizzle the cruffins with a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk once cooled.
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Nutty Crunch: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for added texture and flavor.
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Fruit Filling: Try adding some fresh berries (like blueberries or raspberries) or apple slices in between the layers of puff pastry for a fruity variation.
Storage and Reheating
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Storage: These cruffins are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
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Reheating: To refresh, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to restore their crispiness.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes! Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly in this recipe and is an easy shortcut to achieving those flaky, buttery layers.
2. Can I make these cruffins without a muffin tin?
If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can bake the cruffins on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Just make sure to form them tightly into rolls so they don’t unravel during baking.
3. Can I freeze the cruffins?
Yes! After baking, you can freeze these cruffins. To freeze, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to eat, reheat them in the oven.
4. What can I serve these cruffins with?
These cruffins are delicious on their own, but they pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey.
Conclusion
These Flaky Cruffins with Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Filling are a perfect combination of flaky puff pastry, sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, and buttery goodness. They are easy to make and versatile, with endless options for customizing and serving. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee or as a dessert for a special occasion, these cruffins are sure to be a hit every time. Give them a try and experience the perfect balance of crisp and tender in every bite!
Print
Flaky Cruffins with Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky Cruffins with Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Filling are the perfect combination of buttery, crisp layers of puff pastry and a sweet cinnamon sugar center. These golden, pillowy cruffins are baked to perfection and make a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They’re quick to make, bursting with nostalgic flavors, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cruffins:
1 package puff pastry (about 17 oz/500g)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line each cup with paper liners.
Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
On a clean, flat surface, lightly flour the area. Unroll the puff pastry sheets and gently roll them out to ensure they are about 1/8-inch thick.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Prepare the Pastry
Using a pastry brush, lightly brush a thin layer of melted butter over one side of the puff pastry.
Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered surface, covering the entire sheet.
Step 5: Shape the Cruffins
Cut the pastry into strips about 2-3 inches wide.
Take each strip and tightly roll it up, starting from one end, forming a spiral.
Place each rolled-up strip into the muffin tin, standing upright like a coil, so that they resemble a cruffin shape. Gently press the ends to secure the rolls in place.
Step 6: Bake the Cruffins
Brush the tops of each cruffin with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle any leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture over them.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Storage: Cruffins are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Flavor Variations: Try adding vanilla extract or almond extract to the filling for a unique twist.
Optional Glaze: For extra indulgence, drizzle with a light glaze made of powdered sugar and milk once cooled.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Resting Time:: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
