The Best Delicious Cruffins Recipe

Delicious Cruffins are the ultimate hybrid pastry—flaky like a croissant, shaped like a muffin, and filled or topped with anything from cinnamon sugar to fruity jams. These buttery layers bake up tall and golden, with a tender crumb and irresistible crisp edges. Whether I serve them for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, cruffins always impress with their bakery-style look and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love cruffins because they deliver the indulgence of a laminated pastry without the full commitment of traditional croissant-making. They’re surprisingly easy to pull off at home using puff pastry or simplified dough, and the results are always stunning. I can flavor them however I like—sweet or savory—and each one peels apart in beautiful, flaky spirals. They’re perfect for entertaining, gifting, or just treating myself to something special.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Store-bought puff pastry (or crescent roll dough for a shortcut)

• Unsalted butter, softened

• Granulated sugar

• Ground cinnamon

• All-purpose flour (for dusting)

• Muffin tin

• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

• Jam, Nutella, or lemon curd (optional, for filling or topping)

directions

1. I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin.

2. I roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface into a thin rectangle.

3. I spread softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.

4. I slice the pastry lengthwise into strips (about 2 inches wide).

5. I roll each strip into a spiral, then stand it upright and gently twist it to fit into a muffin cup.

6. I bake for 20–25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown on top.

7. I let them cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar or spooning on jam or chocolate if I want a filled version.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 6–8 cruffins, depending on the size of the muffin tin and the pastry sheet. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to bake, so I have a beautiful pastry ready in under 45 minutes.

Variations

I sometimes fill them with Nutella before rolling, or spread raspberry jam inside for a fruity twist. For savory cruffins, I skip the sugar and use herbed butter and grated cheese. If I want a richer dough, I use a homemade enriched dough instead of puff pastry—but when I’m short on time, frozen dough works perfectly.

storage/reheating

I store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, I pop them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes to bring back that flaky texture. They also freeze well—I let them cool completely, wrap individually, and reheat straight from frozen.

FAQs

Can I use homemade croissant dough?

Yes, I can use homemade laminated dough for a more authentic texture. It’s more work but gives amazing bakery-style layers.

What kind of fillings work best?

I love using cinnamon sugar, fruit preserves, chocolate spread, or even cream cheese. Just don’t overfill, or the filling can leak out while baking.

Can I make these in a jumbo muffin tin?

Yes, I’ve used a jumbo tin for larger cruffins. I just add a few more minutes to the bake time and check for doneness in the center.

How do I get the perfect spiral shape?

Rolling the pastry tightly and placing it seam-side down in the muffin cup helps it rise evenly into a spiral. I also give it a gentle twist before placing it in the tin.

Are cruffins sweet or savory?

They can be either! I mostly make sweet versions, but I’ve filled them with pesto, sun-dried tomato spread, and cheese for a savory twist.

Conclusion

Delicious Cruffins are a beautiful, flaky pastry that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. With their buttery layers and endless filling options, they’re perfect for mornings when I want something a little special. Whether I serve them plain, dusted with sugar, or filled with something sweet, they always steal the spotlight.