Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting through your kitchen. This delicious cinnamon sugar cruffins recipe combines the best of both worlds: the flakiness of a croissant and the softness of a muffin. These delightful treats are buttery, sweet, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, you’ll love how easy it is to whip up a batch of these irresistible cruffins.

Cruffins are a modern pastry that have quickly gained popularity in bakeries and home kitchens alike. The combination of rich layers, warm cinnamon, and caramelized sugar makes them incredibly satisfying. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to make homemade cruffins from scratch using simple ingredients. We’ll also answer common questions and share tips to help you get the perfect swirl and flavor every time.

What Are Cruffins?

Cruffins are a hybrid pastry that merges croissants and muffins. The dough is typically laminated (layered with butter) like a croissant, then rolled, cut, and baked in a muffin tin to give it that classic muffin shape. The result is a crisp, flaky exterior with a soft, tender inside. When coated in cinnamon sugar, they become a decadent treat that’s hard to resist.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need to make these cinnamon sugar cruffins from scratch:

For the Dough:

• 2 ¾ cups (350g) all-purpose flour
  
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
  
• ¾ cup (180ml) warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
  
• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
  
• 1 large egg
  

For the Butter Layer:

• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for layering)
  

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  
• ¼ cup (60g) melted butter (for brushing)
  

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins?

Let’s break down the steps to make this delicious pastry.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
   
2. Make the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
   
3. Knead: Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or with a dough hook.
   
4. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
   

Step 2: Roll and Layer the Dough

1. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into two equal parts.
   
2. On a floured surface, roll one portion into a large rectangle (about 12×15 inches).
   
3. Spread half of the room-temperature butter evenly over the rectangle.
   
4. Starting from the shorter end, roll the dough tightly into a log.
   
5. Repeat with the second portion of dough.
   

Step 3: Shape the Cruffins

1. Using a sharp knife, slice each rolled log in half lengthwise, exposing the layers inside.
   
2. With the cut sides facing out, roll each half into a spiral, like a cinnamon roll.
   
3. Place each roll into a greased muffin tin.
   
4. Cover lightly and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes.
   

Step 4: Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   
2. Bake the cruffins for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
   

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

1. Let the cruffins cool for about 5–10 minutes.
   
2. Brush each one with melted butter.
   
3. Roll or sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture while they’re still warm for best adhesion.
   

Tips for Perfect Cruffins

Use Room Temperature Butter

Soft, spreadable butter makes layering easier and more even.

Don’t Rush the Rise

Both the first and second rise are essential for that airy, fluffy texture.

Slice with Care

Use a sharp knife or dough scraper to cut cleanly through the rolled dough. This keeps the layers well defined.

Serve Warm

Cruffins are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds if needed.

Why You’ll Love These Cruffins

• Flaky Layers: Just like a croissant, each bite peels away in buttery layers.
  
• Sweet and Spiced: The cinnamon sugar coating adds a nostalgic, comforting flavor.
  
• Versatile: Enjoy with coffee, tea, or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
  
• Customizable: Add a filling like Nutella, jam, or even cream cheese for extra indulgence.
  

Variations to Try

Filled Cruffins

Before rolling up the dough, spread your favorite filling:

• Nutella
  
• Strawberry or raspberry jam
  
• Vanilla pastry cream
  

Holiday Spice Cruffins

Swap cinnamon for a mix of holiday spices like:

• ½ tsp nutmeg
  
• ½ tsp ginger
  
• A pinch of clove
  

Savory Cruffins

Skip the sugar and fill with:

• Pesto and cheese
  
• Garlic butter
  
• Ham and Swiss
  

Storing and Reheating

Storing

Keep cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Freeze baked cruffins in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–12 minutes.

Reheating

To bring back the fresh-baked taste, reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a crisp finish.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought croissant dough?

Yes! Store-bought croissant or puff pastry dough can save time. Just roll, fill, slice, and bake following the same shaping and baking process.

2. Why didn’t my cruffins rise properly?

This could be due to inactive yeast, cold dough, or not allowing enough time for proofing. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your dough has a warm place to rise.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. After the first rise, cover the dough and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking the next day.

4. Are cruffins very sweet?

They’re sweet, but not overly so. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon sugar to your liking or even skip the final sugar coating for a more subtle flavor.

5. What muffin tin size works best?

Standard-sized muffin tins work perfectly. For jumbo cruffins, use a larger tin but increase baking time by 5–10 minutes.

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• Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe

Final Thoughts

This cinnamon sugar cruffin recipe brings bakery-style magic to your home kitchen. With a buttery, flaky texture and the warm sweetness of cinnamon sugar, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether you enjoy them with your morning coffee or serve them to guests for brunch, cruffins are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Best of all, they’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.

So roll up your sleeves, grab your rolling pin, and get ready to impress with this unforgettable treat!