Last weekend, my granddaughter and I spent a rainy Saturday in the kitchen, trying to think of something fun and sweet to bake together. While scrolling through Instagram, we stumbled upon pictures of cruffins—those beautiful hybrid pastries, part croissant, part muffin, rolled up with cinnamon sugar and baked to golden perfection.
Her eyes sparkled as she imagined biting into one, and I felt a familiar excitement of testing a new recipe with her at my side. We cleared the table, dusted it with flour, and laid out our ingredients, chatting about school, favorite cartoons, and our plans for the upcoming holiday. Rolling the dough and brushing it with butter felt almost therapeutic, while the scent of cinnamon and sugar mingled with the faint smell of fresh rain coming through the window.
As we carefully rolled and cut the dough into perfect little spirals, I couldn’t help but think of how comforting and playful baking can be, even on the dreariest days. When they came out of the oven, golden and crispy on top, the kitchen smelled like a bakery, and we couldn’t wait to taste our creation.
Each bite was a warm hug, sweet, soft inside, with that satisfying crunch on top. By the end of the afternoon, we had a dozen cruffins and a dozen smiles, and I realized that sometimes, the simplest recipes can create the most memorable moments.
Short Description
Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins are sweet, buttery pastries with a golden, crispy exterior and soft, layered interior, rolled with cinnamon sugar for the perfect homemade treat.
Key Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry (ensure it’s halal)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Tools Needed
- Rolling pin
- Muffin tin
- Paper liners or non-stick cooking spray
- Small bowl for cinnamon sugar
- Pastry brush
- Sharp knife or bench scraper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry on a clean surface. If using crescent dough, pinch the perforated seams together to form one large sheet. For puff pastry, unfold it into a rectangle.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
In a small bowl, combine ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until fully mixed.
Step 4: Brush with Butter
Brush the entire dough surface with ½ cup melted butter using a pastry brush, ensuring even coverage. This helps the cinnamon sugar stick and adds richness.
Step 5: Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar
Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough. Make sure every corner is covered for consistent flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Roll the Dough
Starting from one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, similar to rolling a cinnamon roll. Tight rolling keeps the layers intact for baking.
Step 7: Slice into Pieces
Cut the rolled log into 12 equal slices, each forming a cruffin.
Step 8: Place in Muffin Tin
Gently coil each slice into a muffin cup. The shape should be compact but not squashed.
Step 9: Bake the Cruffins
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top. Watch carefully toward the end to prevent over-browning.
Step 10: Cool Slightly and Serve
Remove from oven and let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm with coffee, tea, or enjoy on their own. Optionally, dust with extra cinnamon sugar.
Troubleshooting Tips:
If dough sticks, lightly flour the surface before rolling.
Over-browning? Tent with foil in the last 5 minutes.
Cruffins falling apart? Roll tighter and ensure butter layer is even.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Buttery & Fluffy: Soft, layered interior with a crisp, golden top.
Quick & Fun: Minimal ingredients, big payoff, perfect for rainy afternoons or weekend baking.
Kid-Friendly: Fun to make with kids and easy to portion.
Versatile: Great for breakfast, snack, or sweet treat with coffee or tea.
Visually Appealing: Looks impressive but surprisingly easy to make.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dough Too Sticky: Lightly dust with flour or chill before rolling.
Uneven Cinnamon Sugar: Spread sugar evenly for consistent flavor.
Collapsed Cruffins: Roll tight and place slices gently into muffin cups.
Burnt Tops: Keep a close eye during last 5 minutes, cover with foil if needed.
Dry Layers: Brush dough generously with butter for moist layers.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve warm with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar for an extra sweet touch.
Ideal for brunch, kids’ sleepovers, or casual coffee mornings.
Arrange buffet-style for family gatherings or parties.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store cooled cruffins in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature.
Refrigerate up to 5 days, keeping them in a sealed container.
Freeze individually wrapped cruffins for up to 2 months.
Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?
Yes, homemade works beautifully but ensure it’s rolled thinly for layers.
2. Can I skip the vanilla extract?
Yes, vanilla is optional but adds a subtle aroma and flavor depth.
3. Can I make mini cruffins?
Yes, adjust baking time to 12–15 minutes.
4. Can I add a glaze?
A light icing drizzle or cream cheese glaze works wonderfully after baking.
5. Are these suitable for freezing?
Yes, freeze individually, thaw at room temperature, and reheat for best texture.
Tips & Tricks
For extra layers, roll the dough thinner before rolling into a log.
Lightly toast muffin tin before baking for a crispier base.
Use a bench scraper to cut evenly and keep spirals intact.
Experiment with nutmeg or cardamom in the sugar mix for unique flavors.
Recipe Variations
Chocolate Cinnamon Cruffins: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips along with cinnamon sugar before rolling.
Apple Cinnamon: Add a thin layer of finely chopped apples for a fruity twist.
Maple Glaze: Brush baked cruffins lightly with warm maple syrup for a sticky, sweet finish.
Final Thoughts
These Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins have become my new favorite weekend treat. The contrast of crisp, golden layers and soft, buttery interiors is irresistible. Baking them with my granddaughter turned a rainy afternoon into a memory filled with laughter, learning, and the irresistible aroma of cinnamon. They are simple to make but impressive to serve, perfect for both casual mornings and special gatherings.
This recipe is forgiving—perfect for experimenting with flavors or adding a personal touch. Even a simple sprinkle of extra sugar on top can transform them into a centerpiece pastry. Making cruffins reminds me that the best baking is as much about the joy in the kitchen as it is about the final product. I hope these cruffins bring warmth, sweetness, and a touch of magic to your own home.
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin
Ingredients
- 1 can 8 oz refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry (ensure it’s halal)
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry on a clean surface. If using crescent dough, pinch the perforated seams together into one large sheet; if using puff pastry, simply unfold it into a rectangle.
- In a small bowl, mix ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until fully combined.
- Brush the entire dough surface with ½ cup melted butter to help the cinnamon sugar stick and add richness.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough, covering every corner.
- Roll the dough tightly from one edge into a log, keeping the layers intact.
- Cut the log into 12 equal slices, each forming a cruffin.
- Gently coil each slice into a muffin cup, keeping the shape compact but not squashed.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and crispy on top, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
- Let the cruffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm with coffee, tea, or on their own, optionally dusted with extra cinnamon sugar.
