Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins: 5 Ways to Indulge Your Senses

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Do you ever struggle to decide between the crisp, airy layers of a croissant and the satisfying form of a delectable muffin? Well, we have some fantastic news: you no longer need to pick just one. Allow us to introduce you to a sublime pastry that beautifully combines the finest qualities of both. Your quest for the ultimate sweet treat ends here as we explore cinnamon sugar cruffins: 5 ways to indulge your senses. We will guide you through each step of making these magnificent bakes from the ground up, turning your home kitchen into your very own patisserie.

What Exactly is a Cruffin?

Before we get our hands dusty with flour, let’s properly introduce this wonderful pastry. A cruffin is a clever hybrid bake, which uses the same laminated dough as a croissant but is distinctively baked inside a muffin tin. This method produces a magnificent treat that stands tall like a muffin, yet breaking it apart reveals the myriad of fine, buttery layers characteristic of a croissant. Its unique form is an ideal canvas for a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar, resulting in a flaky croissant-muffin that is utterly delicious.

While innovative bakeries such as Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco brought the cruffin into the spotlight, we feel the real enchantment lies in creating them yourself. The wonderful scent that fills your house is a reward in itself!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cruffin Recipe

We understand that working with laminated dough might seem intimidating, but we have simplified the entire process into easy-to-follow stages. We are certain you will adore making these cruffins for a host of reasons:

Attainable Elegance: They possess the sophisticated look of a professional patisserie creation, yet our guide ensures they are perfectly achievable for any home baker.
A Feast for the Senses: The moment you begin, your kitchen will be filled with the most divine aroma of warm butter and spice. The final pastry is a true harmony of texture and taste.
Wonderfully Adaptable: While the classic cinnamon sugar coating is heavenly, these cruffins serve as a brilliant base for your creativity. As we will show, there are countless ways to fill and finish them.
The Deepest Satisfaction: Nothing compares to the feeling of pride as you take a tray of perfectly risen, golden homemade cruffins out of the oven. It is a baking journey that is just as rewarding as it is tasty.

Essential Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins

To achieve the best possible texture and flavour, the quality of your ingredients, particularly the butter, is paramount. Here is the list of what you will need to assemble for your baking project.

For the Dough (Détrempe):

500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
50g caster sugar
10g fine sea salt
7g instant dried yeast
150ml lukewarm whole milk
150ml lukewarm water
50g unsalted butter, softened

For the Butter Block (Beurrage):

280g high-quality unsalted butter (preferably European-style with high fat content)

For the Topping:

100g unsalted butter, melted
150g granulated sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Ingredients for cinnamon sugar cruffins: 5 ways to indulge your senses

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Cruffins

With lamination, patience truly is a virtue. We suggest reading the entire method before you begin, and most importantly, have fun with it! We promise this is an easy cruffin recipe when tackled one stage at a time.

Make the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attached, or simply in a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Pour in the lukewarm milk, water, and add the softened butter. Combine to form a rough dough, then knead for 8–10 minutes with the mixer (or 12–15 by hand) until it becomes smooth and pliable. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and leave in a warm spot for 1–2 hours until it has doubled in volume.
Shape the Butter Block: As the dough is rising, take your cold butter and place it between two sheets of baking parchment. Using a rolling pin, beat the butter to flatten it into a rough square shape. Tidy it up by folding the parchment into an 18cm x 18cm square, then roll the butter so it fills this guide perfectly. Pop it into the fridge to chill and firm up.
Encase the Butter (First Lamination): After the dough has risen, gently knock it back and roll it out on a floured surface to a 26cm x 26cm square. Position the chilled butter block in the centre, rotated by 45 degrees to form a diamond shape. Fold the four corners of the dough into the middle to cover the butter, pinching the seams firmly to create a sealed parcel.
Perform the Folds: Roll the dough parcel into a long rectangle, roughly 20cm by 60cm. Complete a “book fold” by folding the two shorter ends to meet in the centre, then folding one half over the other, just like closing a book. Wrap tightly in cling film and chill for 30 minutes. You will repeat this rolling and folding sequence twice more, with a 30-minute chill after each turn. For a brilliant visual on this technique, take a look at this great resource on laminated dough.
Form the Cruffins: Following the final chill, roll the dough out into a large 20cm x 90cm rectangle. Trim the edges to ensure neat, exposed layers. Slice the rectangle lengthways into three even, long strips. Roll each strip up tightly into a spiral, similar to a Swiss roll. Next, slice each spiral in half down the middle, exposing the beautiful layers. Place each piece, cut-side facing up, into a well-greased 12-hole muffin tin.
Let Them Proof: Loosely cover the tin with a piece of oiled cling film and allow the cruffins to proof for another 1-2 hours. They are ready when they have risen just above the top of the tin and look visibly puffy.
Time to Bake: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6). Bake for 20–25 minutes until they are a deep golden-brown and thoroughly cooked. Allow them to cool in the tin for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Whilst still warm, liberally brush each cruffin with melted butter and then roll it in your cinnamon-sugar mix until well coated.

Our Top 5 Ways to Indulge Your Senses with Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins

And now, for the most exciting part! While a warm cinnamon sugar cruffin is a delight in its own right, we have five spectacular ideas to elevate your creation even further.

1. The Classic: Pure and Simple

There is a certain elegance in simplicity. The most rewarding way to appreciate all your effort is to savour a cruffin while it’s fresh from the oven. The crisp, sugary crust gives way to a warm, steamy, and wonderfully flaky centre. This is the cruffin in its most authentic state, allowing the buttery flavour and warming cinnamon spice to take centre stage. It is the perfect partner for a hot cup of tea or coffee.

2. Filled with Delight: Cream and Custard Fillings

After your cruffins have cooled, you can introduce a surprise filling. Using a small knife, make a little hole in the base or top and pipe in your chosen filling. Just picture breaking through the flaky pastry to find a centre of:

Silky-smooth vanilla bean crème pâtissière
Decadent dark chocolate ganache
A light whipped cream infused with orange zest
A zesty and sharp lemon curd (a fantastic combination, much like in our Mini Lemon Cheesecakes)

3. A Drizzled Masterpiece: Glazes and Sauces

A simple finishing drizzle can transform your cruffin into an edible piece of art. As an alternative to, or alongside the cinnamon sugar, allow the cruffins to cool before topping them with a complementary sauce. We adore a classic vanilla glaze (made with icing sugar and a dash of milk) or a luxurious, warm salted caramel sauce. For an even more decadent finish, a rich chocolate sauce, much like one you’d enjoy with our Brownie Recipe For Deliciously Fudgy Treats, is utterly sublime.

4. The Brunch Centrepiece: Pairing with Savoury Flavours

Who said cruffins were just for after dinner? Their buttery, gently sweet nature makes them an amazing accompaniment to savoury brunch dishes. The contrast is wonderful! Consider serving a warm cinnamon sugar cruffin with crispy streaky bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, or a sliver of a mature cheddar cheese. This sweet-and-salty pairing is sure to be a delightful surprise for your palate.

5. The Ultimate Dessert: Cruffin Ice Cream Sandwich

For a dessert that is guaranteed to impress, carefully slice a cooled cruffin in half horizontally. Add a generous scoop of your favourite ice cream—we suggest a premium vanilla bean or salted caramel—between the halves and gently replace the top. The mix of the cold, creamy ice cream against the layered, textured cruffin creates an unforgettable taste experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a cruffin and a croissant?

Their primary distinction is in their final shape and the way they are baked. Both pastries start with laminated dough, but a croissant is shaped into its famous crescent form and baked on a flat sheet. A cruffin, however, is rolled, cut to reveal its layers, and baked within a muffin tin, which gives it its signature tall, cylindrical profile.

Could I use shop-bought puff pastry instead?

Of course! For a much speedier alternative, you can certainly use a good quality, all-butter puff pastry. The end result will still be very tasty, though it will lack the unique texture and yeasted depth of a cruffin made from scratch. It is an excellent shortcut for when you are pressed for time.

What is the best way to store leftover cruffins?

Cruffins are at their absolute best on the day they are baked. Should you have any left over, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To revive them, just pop them in a 180°C (160°C Fan) oven for 3-5 minutes to restore some of their original crispness.

Is it possible to prepare the dough in advance?

Yes, it is. Laminated dough is well-suited to being made in stages. You can allow the dough’s initial rise to happen slowly in the fridge overnight. You can also freeze the fully laminated dough block (before the final proofing and shaping stage) for up to one month. Simply thaw it overnight in the fridge before you are ready to continue.

What should I do if the butter bursts through the dough?

Please don’t worry! This can happen to even experienced bakers. If a small tear appears and butter begins to show, just dust a little flour on the area and gently press to patch it up. If it’s a more significant break, it likely means the butter was too soft or the dough too firm. Wrap the dough immediately and return it to the fridge for 20-30 minutes so everything can chill before you resume rolling.

Our Final Thoughts on This Perfect Pastry

Baking these cinnamon sugar cruffins from scratch is far more than a simple recipe; it’s a deeply satisfying project that captivates all of your senses. From the tactile pleasure of the smooth dough and the visual delight of the golden layers, to the beautiful aroma of cinnamon and the incredible final taste, it’s a truly memorable undertaking.

So, why not give it a go? Put on your apron, switch on your oven, and prepare to bake some unforgettable cinnamon sugar pastries. We would be thrilled to see your flaky results! Feel free to share your pictures with us on social media and tell us which of our five indulgent serving suggestions became your favourite.

Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins: 5 Ways to Indulge Your Senses

Table of Contents

What Exactly is a Cruffin?

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cruffin Recipe