Imagine the impossibly flaky layers of puff pastry swirled with sweet cinnamon sugar, baked into a golden muffin shape that’s ready to break apart in buttery, cloud-like shreds—these Puff Pastry Cruffins are real-life magic, and they’re achievable in less than an hour. This whimsical bakery treat combines all the comfort of a cinnamon roll with the pull-apart crispiness of a croissant, made so easy by using store-bought puff pastry. Prepare for the kind of kitchen triumph that instantly transforms an ordinary morning into something unforgettable!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Puff Pastry Cruffins lies in just a handful of basic ingredients, each working wonders in texture, flavor, and irresistible appeal. These familiar staples are what make every bite so buttery, fluffy, and perfectly sweet.
- Puff pastry sheets: Store-bought sheets save tons of time and guarantee those classic, delicate layers—just be sure they’re completely thawed for the easiest handling.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter makes a wonderfully rich base to hold the cinnamon sugar in place and adds extra plushness to every swirl.
- Granulated sugar: The all-important sweetness that caramelizes slightly in the oven, mingling beautifully with the spices.
- Ground cinnamon: Classic, aromatic spice that provides the cruffins’ signature warmth and coziness.
- Powdered sugar (optional): A light dusting over the top for a fun, bakery-style finish and a little extra sweet sparkle.
How to Make Puff Pastry Cruffins
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Tin
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a standard muffin tin. This step ensures your Puff Pastry Cruffins pop out perfectly with their edges beautifully intact—no sticking, no mess!
Step 2: Mix Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until the color is uniform. Mixing these first means you’ll get a perfect blend in every bite, making the sweet spice flavor shine.
Step 3: Roll Out the Puff Pastry
Unfold and gently roll out each thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth out any seams. You only need to flatten them slightly—just enough for a smooth, even surface that’s ready to take on all that buttery, cinnamon goodness.
Step 4: Butter and Sprinkle
Spread a thin layer of softened butter over each puff pastry sheet. Follow with a generous sprinkle of your cinnamon sugar mixture, going edge-to-edge so there are flavorful, caramelized pockets throughout the cruffins.
Step 5: Slice and Spiral
Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal strips. Take one strip and roll it up into a tight spiral, then take a second strip and carefully wrap it around the outside to make a taller, swirled roll—this is the secret to big, beautiful Puff Pastry Cruffins!
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Place each spiral into a well of your prepared muffin tin, and repeat with all the strips to make 8 cruffins total. Bake them in your preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until gloriously puffed and golden brown on top.
Step 7: Cool and Finish
Let the cruffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then carefully remove them—they’ll still be warm and ultra-fragrant. Finish with a shower of powdered sugar for that extra bakery flair, then serve straight away for the best gooey, crisp texture.
How to Serve Puff Pastry Cruffins
Garnishes
Top each Puff Pastry Cruffins with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze, or even a cinnamon stick for a little coffeehouse flourish. For a cafe-worthy touch, try a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a few curls of citrus zest.
Side Dishes
Cruffins pair perfectly with hot coffee, frothy lattes, or a mug of chai. For a brunch spread, consider serving them with a fruit salad or Greek yogurt with honey—the cruffins’ sweetness plays wonderfully with the freshness and creaminess of these sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile Puff Pastry Cruffins high on a tiered cake stand for a show-stopping centerpiece. For brunch parties, tuck each cruffin into a cupcake wrapper and tie with ribbon. To impress, use a piping bag to fill cooled cruffins with Nutella, jam, or pastry cream and dust with edible glitter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any extra Puff Pastry Cruffins into an airtight container once they’ve cooled. At room temperature, they stay delightfully fresh for 1 to 2 days—just make sure they’re not stacked, as their delicate layers can smoosh.
Freezing
Cruffins freeze beautifully! Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their flavor and flakiness for up to 1 month; just thaw overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
To bring back that bakery-fresh texture, pop cooled Puff Pastry Cruffins in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This crisps up the outside while gently warming the center—far better than the microwave, which tends to make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade puff pastry for Puff Pastry Cruffins?
Absolutely! If you have the time and ambition, homemade puff pastry makes these cruffins even more special. The technique and assembly remain the same—just be sure not to roll the dough too thin so you capture all those beautiful layers.
My cruffins didn’t puff up—what went wrong?
The most common culprit is using pastry that’s too warm. Make sure your puff pastry is cool but workable; if it starts to get sticky as you work, chill the assembled cruffins for 10 minutes in the refrigerator before baking.
Can I add fillings to my Puff Pastry Cruffins before baking?
Yes! You can spread a very thin layer of jam, Nutella, or even almond paste before spiraling the strips for a decadent twist. Just don’t overfill or the pastries might unravel or leak while baking.
Are Puff Pastry Cruffins good for a crowd?
Definitely! This recipe easily doubles (just use two muffin tins), and the hands-on assembly is even more fun with friends or kids. They keep well at room temperature, making them a low-stress option for brunches or gatherings.
What’s the difference between cruffins and cronuts?
While both treats are hybrids, cruffins are croissant-muffin swirls made in muffin tins, while cronuts are croissant-doughnut rounds, fried and filled. Puff Pastry Cruffins are easier, less messy, and still deliver that signature layering and sweetness!
Final Thoughts
Few treats are as fun to make or eat as Puff Pastry Cruffins—they’re deceptively simple, outrageously delicious, and guaranteed to brighten any table. Give them a go for your next breakfast treat or brunch party and see the smiles appear. Once you’ve made them, you’ll find endless reasons to bake a batch again and again!
Print
Puff Pastry Cruffins Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 cruffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious fusion of a croissant and a muffin with these Puff Pastry Cruffins. These flaky pastries filled with cinnamon sugar are a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Cinnamon Sugar Mix:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Additional:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare tin: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a standard muffin tin.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar: Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Prepare puff pastry: Roll out each puff pastry sheet, smooth seams, spread butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Shape cruffins: Cut sheets into strips, roll into spirals, wrap to form rolls, and place in muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Cool, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a decadent twist, fill cooled cruffins with pastry cream, Nutella, or jam using a piping bag.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
