Buttery Bliss: Golden Flaky Cruffins Recipe for Pastry Lovers

Brunch enthusiasts go crazy for this delectable cruffins recipe that blends the best of croissants and muffins.

Pastry lovers will adore the flaky layers of buttery goodness emerging from this innovative treat.

The cruffins combine delicate laminated dough with a crisp exterior that shatters beautifully with each bite.

Salt and butter work magic to create these irresistible pastries that feel like a culinary adventure.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike can master this technique with practice and patience.

Sweet or savory fillings transform these cruffins into a versatile breakfast or dessert option.

You’ll want to share these golden, crisp delights that are sure to impress everyone at the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 265 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Baking Those Delicious Cruffins

• All-Purpose Flour: Core structure builder with soft, silky texture perfect for light pastry.
• Sugar: Adds delightful sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon (Optional): Introduces warm, aromatic depth for optional filling.

• Milk: Creates tender, soft dough with rich moisture.
• Butter: Provides luxurious richness and flaky layers.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to golden color.

• Active Dry Yeast: al ingredient that helps dough rise and develop complex flavor profile.
• Powdered Sugar: Perfect finishing touch for elegant dusting and visual appeal.

• Jam: Adds fruity burst and moisture to cruffin interior.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Creates decadent, glossy finish.
• Flaky Salt: Provides sophisticated sweet-salty contrast.

Tools to Help You Shape and Fill Cruffins Like a Pro

• Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients, with a dough hook making kneading easier.
• Dough Hook: Helps knead dough smoothly if using a stand mixer.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dry ingredients evenly.
• Rolling Pin: Crucial for rolling dough into thin, even rectangles.
• Muffin Tin: Shapes and bakes the cruffins to perfection.
• Pastry Brush: Helpful for spreading softened butter on dough.
• Wire Rack: Allows cruffins to cool without getting soggy.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to cut dough strips lengthwise.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Bake Cruffins That Are Flaky, Warm, and Totally Dreamy

• Createal Dough

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking them together until perfectly blended. Pour in warm milk, melted butter, and a single egg, mixing until a soft, shaggy dough emerges. Knead the dough on a flour-dusted surface, working it until smooth and elastic. Let the dough rest and rise in a cozy spot, watching it grow and transform.

• Transform Dough into Layers

Gently deflate the risen dough and divide it into six equal portions. Roll each piece into a gossamer-thin rectangle, spreading a whisper of butter across its surface. For extra, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or your favorite filling. Carefully roll the dough into a long log, then slice it lengthwise to reveal beautiful inner layers.

• Craft Stunning Cruffin Shapes

Twist each strip into a delicate coil, positioning the cut layers to showcase their intricate design. Nestle the spiraled dough into a greased muffin tin, allowing them to rest and rise once more. Each cruffin will develop its own unique personality during this time.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Fire up the oven to a toasty 375°F. Slide the muffin tin inside and bake until the cruffins turn a gorgeous golden brown, their layers becoming crisp and flaky. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma that promises pure deliciousness.

• Final Flourish

Carefully remove the cruffins from the tin, letting them cool briefly. Dress them up with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate, or a sprinkle of flaky salt. Each cruffin becomes a work of edible art, ready to delight and surprise.

Fillings and Twists That Make Cruffins Totally Yours

• Softly spread room-temperature butter thinly across dough for maximum flakiness, ensuring even coverage without creating thick patches.
• Prepare dough night before and refrigerate overnight, allowing slow fermentation to develop deeper, richer flavor profile and more complex taste.
• Experiment with sweet or savory fillings like Nutella, cream cheese, fruit preserves, or even herbed goat cheese to transform cruffins into versatile pastries.
• Replace wheat flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum, maintaining similar texture and ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delectable treats.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm milk is precisely between 105-110°F when activating yeast, preventing potential dough failure and guaranteeing perfect rise every time.

Serve Warm, With a Dusting of Powdered Sugar

• Sweet Morning Companion: Pair these flaky cruffins with a steaming cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a delightful breakfast experience that elevates your morning routine.
• Brunch Showstopper: Arrange cruffins on a beautiful platter with fresh berries, whipped cream, and a light dusting of powdered sugar to create an impressive brunch centerpiece that will wow your guests.
• Dessert Transformation: Slice cruffins in half and fill with pastry cream, lemon curd, or chocolate ganache for a decadent dessert that turns this breakfast treat into an elegant after-dinner indulgence.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these portable pastries in a cute basket with some jam or spread for a delightful outdoor snack that adds a touch of gourmet flair to your picnic or road trip adventure.

Save Extra Cruffins for Morning Coffee Tomorrow

• Store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their delicate, flaky texture.
• Wrap individual cruffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. They'll stay fresh for up to 4 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before enjoying.
• Revive day-old cruffins by warming them in an oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This method restores their crispy exterior and soft interior, making them taste almost freshly baked.
• Prepare the dough and shape cruffins the night before. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow them to come to room temperature, ensuring perfect rising and baking results.

FAQs

• What are cruffins?

Cruffins are a delightful pastry hybrid that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape and structure of a muffin, creating a unique and irresistible treat.

• Is the dough difficult to make?

Not at all! The dough is straightforward and requires basic ingredients like flour, milk, butter, and yeast. Even beginner bakers can successfully make cruffins with some patience and practice.

• Can I use different fillings?

Absolutely! You can experiment with various fillings like chocolate, jam, cream cheese, nutella, or cinnamon sugar. The layered dough provides a perfect canvas for creative flavor combinations.

• Why do I need to roll the dough so thin?

Rolling the dough thin is crucial for creating those signature flaky, delicate layers that give cruffins their distinctive texture and mouthfeel. The thinner the dough, the more layers you’ll achieve.

Flaky Cruffins Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Chocolate-swirled cruffins from Paris blend croissant and muffin magic into a heavenly pastry. French bakery techniques create a delightful dessert you’ll want to savor slowly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• Cinnamon sugar
• Jam
• Chocolate spread
• Grated cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Melted chocolate
• Flaky salt

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
2. Liquid Integration: Pour warm milk, melted butter, and egg into dry ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms, transitioning from shaggy to smooth.
3. Kneading Process: Work the dough on a floured surface or using a stand mixer with a dough hook, developing a silky, elastic consistency that springs back when touched.
4. First Proofing: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm space for 1-1.5 hours until volume doubles.
5. Shaping Foundation: Divide dough into six equal portions, rolling each into an ultra-thin rectangular sheet and generously spreading softened butter across the surface.
6. Flavor Layering: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or selected filling evenly, then roll tightly into a compact log and slice lengthwise to expose intricate inner layers.
7. Architectural Forming: Transform each strip into an elegant coil, positioning cut layers outward to showcase the pastry’s delicate structure within greased muffin tin cavities.
8. Final Rise: Cover muffin tin loosely and allow cruffins to expand for 30 minutes, creating lightness and volume.
9. Baking Transformation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), baking cruffins for 20-25 minutes until achieving a mesmerizing golden-brown with crisp, flaky edges.
10. Finishing Touches: Rest cruffins in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and embellish with powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle, or flaky sea salt to complement the chosen filling.

Notes

Control Moisture Precision: Ensure room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, preventing dry or overly dense cruffin textures by measuring precisely and avoiding ingredient temperature extremes.

Strategic Layering Technique: Roll dough extremely thin and spread butter evenly to create delicate, crispy layers that provide signature flaky, multi-dimensional pastry architecture.

Proofing Performance: Maintain consistent warm temperature (around 75-80°F) during rising stages to activate yeast effectively, allowing optimal dough expansion without compromising structural integrity.

Filling Flavor Enhancement: Experiment with complementary fillings like cream cheese, fruit preserves, or chocolate ganache that harmonize with buttery pastry base while maintaining structural balance during baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 175 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg