Imagine a pastry that combines everything irresistible about a croissant and the charm of a muffin – that’s exactly what you get with Puff Pastry Cruffins. Golden, flaky, and swirled with sweet cinnamon sugar, each satisfying bite offers buttery layers and a delightful aroma that fills your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast treat, a show-stopping brunch offering, or a sweet afternoon snack, Puff Pastry Cruffins effortlessly deliver that warm-from-the-oven wow factor you’ll want to share with everyone you know.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Puff Pastry Cruffins come together with just a handful of pantry staples, but every ingredient plays a starring role in transforming simple dough into something magical. From rich butter to cozy cinnamon, each adds flavor, texture, or that irresistible aroma as your kitchen fills with the scent of baking pastry.
- Puff pastry sheet (thawed): The shortcut to bakery-level layers and flakiness, make sure it’s fully thawed for easy handling.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds rich flavor and helps the cinnamon-sugar filling adhere to every layer.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cruffins and creates that classic cinnamon-sugar pocket in each twist.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and aroma to the filling, truly the heart of this pastry.
- Vanilla extract (optional): Offers extra depth and a sweet fragrance; add it for an extra layer of flavor.
- Extra sugar for coating (optional): For cruffins with a sparkly, sweet finish and extra crunch.
- Nonstick spray or butter for greasing muffin tin: Ensure easy release so every cruffin pops out perfectly golden.
How to Make Puff Pastry Cruffins
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Tin and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) – this temperature ensures that your Puff Pastry Cruffins bake up crisp and golden. Lightly grease a standard muffin tin with butter or a spritz of nonstick spray. This little bit of prep work makes sure those beautiful pastry spirals come out just as gorgeous as they go in.
Step 2: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
On a lightly floured surface, gently unfold or roll out your thawed puff pastry sheet. Work carefully to smooth the dough—keeping it cold will help those lovely flaky layers develop. Try not to press too hard; you want to preserve as many buttery pockets as possible!
Step 3: Brush with Butter and Add Cinnamon Sugar
Grab your melted butter and brush a generous, even layer all over the surface of the pastry. In a small bowl, mix together your sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Sprinkle this fragrant blend all over the buttered pastry, getting it right to the edges, so every bite is filled with flavor.
Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Spiral
With the long edge of the pastry facing you, start rolling the dough into a tight log—just like you’re making cinnamon rolls. When you reach the end, use a sharp knife to slice the log lengthwise, exposing the beautiful swirls inside. Take each half and loosely roll it into a spiral, with the cut side out, so you can really see all those layers. Tuck each spiral into your prepared muffin tins.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Puffy
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. Your Puff Pastry Cruffins are ready when they’re deeply golden and have puffed up magnificently. Let them cool just enough to handle, then, if you like, roll each one in extra sugar for the perfect sweet finish.
How to Serve Puff Pastry Cruffins
Garnishes
For a simple yet elegant presentation, dust your Puff Pastry Cruffins with powdered sugar or a touch more cinnamon. A drizzle of sweet glaze or a dollop of whipped cream adds a bakery-worthy flourish if you’re in the mood to really spoil yourself.
Side Dishes
Pair these beauties with a fresh fruit salad, creamy Greek yogurt, or sliced oranges for contrast. They also go perfectly with your morning coffee, a latte, or hot tea, making for a breakfast or brunch spread that rivals your favorite café.
Creative Ways to Present
If you really want to impress, stack the Puff Pastry Cruffins on a tiered serving tray, nestle them in pretty cupcake liners, or finish each with a scatter of berries. For special occasions, try serving them with tiny bowls of jam, chocolate sauce, or citrus curd so guests can dunk or drizzle to their heart’s content.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the Puff Pastry Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’re still lovely the next day but may lose a bit of their initial crispness.
Freezing
Want to save cruffins for later? Once cooled, wrap them individually and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to one month. Let them thaw at room temperature before gently reheating so the flavor and texture stay just right.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked taste and texture, pop Puff Pastry Cruffins into a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for about five minutes. This brings back some of the crispiness and fills your kitchen, once again, with that inviting pastry aroma.
FAQs
Can I make Puff Pastry Cruffins ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can assemble the cruffins, cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Bake them straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time for warm, bakery-fresh pastries in the morning.
Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?
Yes! If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade puff pastry is a phenomenal base for cruffins. It’s a bit more labor-intensive but makes the finished product even flakier and more buttery—totally worth the extra effort.
What other fillings work in Puff Pastry Cruffins?
Get creative! You can spread a thin layer of jam, chocolate hazelnut spread, or even a cinnamon-sugar-butter paste before rolling up the pastry. Experimenting with different flavors means each batch can be unique.
Why are my cruffins not puffing up?
Be sure your oven is fully preheated and your puff pastry is cold when you assemble. Working quickly keeps the butter in the dough from melting prematurely—this is essential for achieving those signature lofty layers.
How do I prevent the cruffins from sticking to the muffin tin?
Grease the muffin tin very well—either with butter or nonstick spray. If you’re still worried, you can line the cups with parchment paper strips so you can easily lift each Puff Pastry Cruffin out after baking.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Puff Pastry Cruffins at home, you’re in for a treat that’s every bit as fun as it is delicious. They’re striking to look at, easy to make, and disappear fast whenever you share. Get ready to wow your family, friends, or just treat yourself—these cruffins are pure pastry joy!
Print
Puff Pastry Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of a croissant and a muffin with these Puff Pastry Cruffins. They are flaky, sweet, and perfect for a special breakfast treat or anytime snack.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- extra sugar for coating (optional)
- nonstick spray or butter for greasing muffin tin
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a standard muffin tin with butter or nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the puff pastry sheet and brush it evenly with melted butter.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mix: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract (if using).
- Fill and Roll: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered pastry. Roll the pastry into a log, slice it in half lengthwise, then roll each half into a spiral with the cut side facing out.
- Bake: Place each spiral into a muffin cup and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Finish and Serve: Let the cruffins cool slightly, then roll them in extra sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can fill these with jam, chocolate spread, or a cinnamon-sugar paste before rolling for a delicious variation.
- Best enjoyed the day they’re made.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
