Cruffins

The Cruffin is a delicious mashup of a croissant and a muffin, layered with cinnamon sugar and baked until golden and flaky. It’s soft on the inside with a delicate crunch on the outside perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Made with crescent roll dough, it’s also incredibly simple for any home baker to whip up.

Ideal for weekend brunches, breakfast treats, or as an afternoon pick-me-up, these Cruffins offer bakery-quality taste without the fuss. Customize them with fillings like fruit preserves, chocolate chips, or a cream cheese swirl to make them your own. Either way, they’ll be gone before you know it.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each crescent roll sheet into a 12×16-inch rectangle. (If using perforated dough, pinch seams to seal.)

3. Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each sheet.

4. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

5. Sprinkle ¼ cup of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over each buttered dough sheet, gently pressing into the dough. Set remaining cinnamon sugar aside.

6. Starting from the long side, tightly roll each sheet into a log.

7. Cut each log in half, then slice each half lengthwise to make four sections per sheet. Repeat for all sheets to create 12 sections.

8. With the layered side facing out, roll each section into a spiral, like a cinnamon roll. Tuck in the ends and place into the prepared muffin tin.

9. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown.

10. While still warm, roll each cruffin in the reserved cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 12 cruffins

Discover the Magic of Cruffins: The Ultimate Fusion Pastry for Home Bakers

The world of baking is filled with delightful mashups cronuts, brookies, piecaken and in recent years, one hybrid pastry has captured the hearts (and ovens) of bakers across the globe: the cruffin. A creative cross between a croissant and a muffin, the cruffin is a buttery, sugar-dusted marvel of layers and flavor, baked in a muffin tin and swirled like a cinnamon roll. In essence, it’s the best parts of multiple pastries baked into one irresistibly golden delight.

While the original cruffin required advanced techniques and laminated dough, a clever twist on the classic now makes it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. Thanks to the genius use of store-bought crescent roll dough, this version of cruffins skips the intimidation factor without sacrificing flavor, texture, or that all-important wow factor. The result is a warm, flaky, cinnamon-kissed treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack.

Let’s dive deeper into the story, science, and charm of cruffins and why this simplified version deserves a spot in your recipe collection.

What Is a Cruffin, Exactly?

A cruffin is the lovechild of a croissant and a muffin, typically shaped like a cinnamon roll but baked upright in a muffin tin to mimic the height and structure of a muffin. It borrows the laminated layers and buttery richness of croissants, adds the sweet, spiced comfort of a cinnamon roll, and wraps it all up in the neat, portable package of a muffin.

The concept originated in boutique bakeries most notably at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco, which famously trademarked its version of the cruffin. Their iteration used classic laminated croissant dough piped with custards and jams, then rolled in sugar and topped with flair. It quickly became an Instagram sensation, and pastry fans lined up daily to snag one before they sold out.

However, as is often the case with viral food trends, home bakers found ways to recreate the concept in a more approachable form. Enter crescent roll dough.

Making It Easy: The Crescent Dough Revolution

What sets this particular cruffin recipe apart is the substitution of store-bought crescent roll dough for the traditionally labor-intensive croissant dough. Crescent dough offers a similar layered effect, a buttery flavor, and the ease of being pre-rolled and ready to use. This change turns a bakery level pastry into something achievable on a weeknight or a weekend morning with the kids.

Crescent dough also brings consistency to the recipe. Unlike homemade laminated dough that can suffer from uneven butter distribution or rising issues, prepackaged crescent sheets are designed for convenience. This makes it easier to roll, cut, shape, and bake your cruffins with reliable results.

For those worried about the presence of perforations in traditional crescent dough, crescent roll sheets (a variation without perforated seams) solve the problem. And even if you’re using regular dough, a quick pinch of the seams brings everything together seamlessly.

The Sensory Experience: Why We Love Cruffins

Beyond the technique, what makes cruffins so universally loved is the combination of textures and flavors. Each bite offers a contrast between crisp edges and a soft, buttery interior. The cinnamon sugar coating adds a sweet crunch that elevates the entire experience.

As they bake, the layers of dough expand upward and outward, creating a beautifully swirled shape reminiscent of a rose or a vintage pinwheel. When you pull them apart, you’ll notice tender layers that mimic laminated pastries but with a fraction of the effort.

Aesthetically, they’re a feast for the eyes, often served dusted in extra sugar or even topped with a glaze or drizzle for added decadence. From a flavor standpoint, they hit that perfect note between rich and sweet without being overwhelming. Pair one with a warm latte or cup of tea, and you’ve got yourself a bakery-worthy moment in the comfort of your own home.

Creative Variations for Every Craving

One of the most exciting things about this cruffin recipe is its versatility. Once you’ve mastered the basic cinnamon-sugar version, the possibilities are nearly endless. Here are a few tempting variations to try:

• Fruit-Filled Cruffins: Before rolling up the dough, spread a layer of fruit preserves such as raspberry, apricot, or apple butter for a burst of flavor.

• Savory Cruffins: Skip the sugar and cinnamon and try fillings like garlic butter, shredded cheese, herbs, or even pesto for a more savory twist.

• Chocolate Lovers’ Cruffins: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or cocoa powder along with sugar inside the dough layers for a melty surprise.

• Holiday Cruffins: Use seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice in fall or peppermint sugar around the winter holidays.

• Cream-Stuffed Cruffins: After baking, use a piping bag to fill the center with sweetened cream cheese, custard, or whipped ganache.

Each version brings its own unique flair while maintaining the cruffin’s signature shape and irresistible texture.

Storage, Reheating & Freezing Tips

Freshly baked cruffins are best enjoyed warm, ideally within a few hours of baking. That said, they store well if you know a few tricks:

• Room Temperature: Keep cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. A quick 10-second zap in the microwave will revive the softness.

• Freezing: Let cruffins cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. To serve, reheat in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes.

• Avoid Refrigeration: Cold temperatures can dry out baked goods and dull the flavor freezing is a better preservation option.

When to Serve Cruffins (Hint: Anytime)

While cruffins shine brightest at breakfast or brunch, their versatility makes them ideal for almost any occasion:

• Holiday Mornings: A perfect addition to the breakfast table on Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.

• Bridal or Baby Showers: Serve them with coffee and tea for a beautiful and delicious touch.

• Weekend Baking Projects: Fun to make with kids or as part of a relaxing Saturday routine.

• Dessert Bars: Dress them up with a drizzle of icing or dip in chocolate for a unique twist on the usual sweets table.

• Gift Boxes: Wrap them up in parchment and ribbon as homemade edible gifts for friends, teachers, or neighbors.

They’re also a perfect “just because” treat no occasion necessary.

Conclusion: 

At its core, this recipe is about bringing joy to the kitchen without needing advanced skills or specialty ingredients. By transforming crescent roll dough into a show stopping pastry, it proves that you don’t need to go to culinary school to bake something truly extraordinary.

These cruffins are flaky yet tender, sugary but balanced, and eye catching enough to impress your brunch guests without breaking a sweat. They invite experimentation, spark creativity, and offer comfort with every bite.

Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just for yourself, cruffins are a sweet reminder that sometimes, the simplest recipes bring the most satisfaction. Give this cinnamon sugar version a try and don’t be surprised if it becomes a new family favorite.