If the irresistible combination of crispy churros and buttery, flaky croissants makes your heart flutter, then Churro Cruffins are about to become your newest obsession. These gorgeous pastries take a shortcut with store-bought puff pastry, delivering golden, spiral-shaped treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you fill them with dulce de leche, Nutella, or classic pastry cream, each bite bursts with cinnamon sugar joy and a decadent, tender center. Churro Cruffins are the ultimate sweet treat for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you’re craving something truly special and unbelievably easy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Churro Cruffins come together with just a handful of pantry staples and one magical shortcut ingredient. Each element plays a unique role in building those signature layers, warm spice, and melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll love.
- Puff pastry sheet: The foundation of our cruffin, this is what brings shatteringly crisp, beautifully layered pastry.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the cinnamon sugar cling perfectly to every flaky fold.
- Granulated sugar: For that classic churro sparkle and a sweet crunch in every bite.
- Ground cinnamon: The unmistakable warm spice that makes these taste unmistakably churro-inspired.
- Optional filling (dulce de leche, Nutella, pastry cream): Choose your favorite for an extra burst of indulgence—each lends a gooey, decadent surprise.
How to Make Churro Cruffins
Step 1: Prep Your Gear
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and buttering a 6-cup muffin tin. This little bit of prep ensures your Churro Cruffins will release easily and develop that all-important golden exterior. Set out your puff pastry to thaw if it isn’t already, and grab a small bowl to mix together your cinnamon sugar.
Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Unfold your puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured countertop. Use a rolling pin to gently smooth any seams and create a slightly larger, even surface. This step readies your pastry for even filling, rolling, and gorgeous lamination when baked.
Step 3: Add Butter and (Optional) Filling
Brush the entire surface of the pastry with melted butter for deep flavor and to help everything stick. If you’re using a filling—be it dulce de leche, Nutella, or pastry cream—gently spread a thin layer across the surface, leaving a half-inch border around the edges so nothing leaks out during baking. Don’t be shy with your creativity here!
Step 4: Sprinkle and Shape
Sprinkle about a tablespoon of your cinnamon sugar evenly over the pastry. Next, starting from the long edge, roll the pastry up tightly into a log. Slice this log in half lengthwise—this will reveal all those beautiful inner layers. Gently twist each half into a spiral and then coil them into rosette shapes. Place each spiraled cruffin into your prepared muffin tin.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide the muffin tin into your hot oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the Churro Cruffins are puffed and deeply golden brown on top. When they’re just out of the oven and still warm, brush them generously with more melted butter and roll (or sprinkle) them with the remaining cinnamon sugar for that classic churro finish.
How to Serve Churro Cruffins
Garnishes
Nothing makes Churro Cruffins feel extra special like a sprinkle of finishing touches. A dusting of extra cinnamon sugar or a light drizzle of your favorite chocolate sauce brings them to bake shop glory. For even more decadence, pipe a little more filling inside after baking—your guests will swoon.
Side Dishes
Pair Churro Cruffins with rich hot chocolate or a robust espresso for a café-style treat at home. They also shine alongside a fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt, adding a dessert-worthy note to brunch spreads.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Churro Cruffins on a cake stand for an eye-catching centerpiece, or nestle them in cupcake wrappers for easy, grab-and-go servings. For dinner parties, serve them warm in a basket lined with a colorful napkin, encouraging guests to pull apart the layers right at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Churro Cruffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep their signature crunch, avoid tightly wrapping them in plastic; a paper towel layer inside the container can help absorb extra moisture.
Freezing
These cruffins freeze beautifully. Once cooled, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or foil, then tuck them into a freezer bag. When a craving strikes, just pull one out and let it thaw at room temperature, or reheat straight from frozen in the oven.
Reheating
To restore crispness, reheat Churro Cruffins in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. Microwaving can make them soggy, so a quick oven refresh is always best. You’ll be rewarded with warm, fragrant pastries that taste as if you just made them.
FAQs
Can I make Churro Cruffins in advance?
Absolutely! You can shape the cruffins and refrigerate them in the muffin tin overnight. Simply bake them fresh in the morning, adding an extra minute or two if needed.
What’s the best way to add more filling after baking?
Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Once the cruffins have cooled slightly, insert the tip into the center and pipe in your chosen filling for a delightful pocket of indulgence.
Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Of course! Homemade puff pastry offers a fabulous flavor and texture upgrade, but store-bought keeps Churro Cruffins weeknight-friendly and deliciously easy.
How do I keep my cruffins from sticking to the muffin tin?
Generously grease each muffin cup with butter or nonstick spray. If you want extra insurance, line each cup with a strip of parchment paper for easy removal.
Are Churro Cruffins suitable for special diets?
These are vegetarian as written. To make them dairy-free, use plant-based puff pastry and swap in vegan butter—just be sure your chosen fillings suit your needs as well.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that’s easier than a croissant, tastier than a plain churro, and guaranteed to impress, Churro Cruffins deserve a spot in your kitchen. The process is almost as satisfying as the first bite—so gather your ingredients and treat yourself to this sweet twist on two beloved classics!
Print
Churro Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 cruffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of churros and muffins with these Churro Cruffins. A fusion dessert that brings together the best of both worlds in a sweet and flaky pastry.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cinnamon Sugar Mix:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Filling:
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche, Nutella, or pastry cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 6-cup muffin tin. Mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface, brush with butter.
- Fill and Shape: Spread filling if using, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll pastry, slice in half, twist into spirals, place in muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Brush with butter, coat with cinnamon sugar. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra indulgence, pipe in more filling after baking using a piping bag.
- Best enjoyed the day they’re made but can be reheated in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes to refresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
