Delicious Cruffins – Buttery, Swirled, and Filled with Sweetness

If you’ve never had a Cruffin, prepare to fall in love with the most delightful hybrid pastry ever created. A cruffin is the perfect mix of a croissant and a muffin — light, buttery, flaky layers baked up tall in a muffin tin and swirled with your favorite filling like jam, chocolate spread, or even cheese for a savory twist. 💫 Originating in trendy bakeries and now made easily at home, cruffins are surprisingly achievable for any home baker. With a rich, yeasted dough rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with buttery goodness, they’re ideal for brunch, afternoon tea, or dessert. If you love impressive baked goods like homemade croissants or cinnamon rolls, this cruffin recipe is about to be your new obsession.

Stand mixer with dough hook or mixing bowl and hands
Measuring cups and spoons
Rolling pin – for flattening the dough
Muffin tin – standard size, greased or lined
Pastry brush – for spreading butter
Bench scraper or knife – for cutting dough
Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap – for proofing
Sifter – for powdered sugar garnish (optional)

Makes 12 standard cruffins

Refrigerated:
1 large egg
¾ cup milk (warm (around 100–110°F))

Dairy:

¾ cup unsalted butter (softened (plus more for brushing))
1 –2 tablespoons grated cheese (optional for savory cruffins)

Baking & Spices:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon sugar (for rolling (½ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon))
Powdered sugar (for dusting (or melted chocolate for topping))
Flaky salt (optional for garnish)

Condiments:

Jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
Chocolate spread (like Nutella or melted ganache)

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk and sugar.
Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until frothy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add in the egg, flour, and salt.
Mix using a stand mixer with dough hook (or knead by hand) for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Roll and Layer

Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts.
Roll each section into a thin rectangle (about 12×6 inches).
Brush with softened butter, sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar, and spread a thin layer of jam or chocolate spread.
Roll up tightly from the long edge, like a jelly roll.

Step 4: Shape the Cruffins

Slice each roll lengthwise with a sharp knife to expose layers.
With the cut side facing out, roll each strip into a spiral or knot.
Place each shaped cruffin into a greased muffin tin.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

Step 6: Bake

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 7: Finish & Serve

Let cool slightly in pan, then transfer to a rack.
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with melted chocolate, or sprinkle flaky salt on savory versions.

🔁 Variations
1. Savory Cheese Cruffins
Skip the sugar and filling, and roll in grated cheese and herbs instead.

2. Chocolate-Hazelnut Cruffins
Use Nutella or chocolate ganache as the filling and top with a chocolate drizzle.

3. Lemon Curd Cruffins
Spread lemon curd before rolling and dust with powdered sugar for a bright, tangy treat.

4. Apple Cinnamon Cruffins
Add grated apple and cinnamon sugar to the filling for an autumn-inspired version.

5. Mini Cruffins
Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes for bite-sized treats.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

Refrigerator:
Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days — reheat gently before serving.

Freezer:
Freeze cooled cruffins in a zip-top bag for up to 1 month.

Thaw overnight and reheat in a warm oven for that just-baked feel.

Reheating:
Warm in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds.

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to use a stand mixer?
It helps, but you can knead by hand — it just takes a little more time and effort.

2. Can I use instant yeast instead?
Yes! Use the same amount, but skip the activation step and mix directly into flour.

3. Why slice the dough before shaping?
It exposes the beautiful buttery layers and gives cruffins their signature swirl.

4. Can I skip the filling?
Yes! They’re still buttery and delicious even without jam or chocolate.

5. What flour is best?
Use all-purpose flour for soft layers — bread flour will make them too chewy.

6. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — shape the cruffins, cover, and chill overnight. Let them come to room temp and rise before baking.

7. Do they taste like croissants?
They have a similar buttery flavor, but are quicker and less flaky than traditional laminated dough.

8. Can I make them dairy-free?
Use plant-based milk and vegan butter, and check your chocolate or jam is dairy-free.

9. Do they rise a lot in the oven?
Yes! Leave enough room between them if not using a muffin tin.

10. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — this recipe doubles well for a party or brunch crowd.

✅ Conclusion
These Delicious Cruffins are the ultimate combination of buttery layers, sweet fillings, and bakery-style swirls — all made right in your home kitchen. They’re elegant enough to serve at a brunch, indulgent enough for dessert, and simple enough to make any time you need a pastry pick-me-up.

Whether filled with jam, chocolate, or cheese, cruffins are endlessly customizable and seriously show-stopping.

Looking for more impressive (but easy!) baking ideas?

Easy Cinnamon Roll Bread

Chocolate Babka Muffins

Cream Cheese Danish Swirls

Now go roll, swirl, and bake your way to buttery pastry perfection.

Delicious Cruffins – Buttery, Swirled, and Filled with Sweetness