If you love flaky pastries with a crispy, cinnamon-kissed crust, then you simply must try this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe. It’s a delightful hybrid of a croissant and a muffin, boasting layers of buttery dough rolled in fragrant cinnamon sugar. Perfectly golden and irresistibly sweet, these cruffins are easy to whip up with simple ingredients and yield a bakery-quality treat right at home. Whether you want a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack, this recipe will quickly become your new favorite way to enjoy all the magic of cinnamon sugar goodness with a fun twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe is a breeze because the ingredients are straightforward yet essential. Each one plays a key role in building flavor, texture, and that signature flaky bite you’ll crave.
- 3 tubes refrigerated crescent roll sheets: These pre-made dough sheets are the perfect base for cruffins, bringing that buttery, flaky texture without extra work.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Butter provides richness and helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the dough, creating layers of flavor in every bite.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and crunch when mixed with cinnamon and coated on the cruffins.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: The star spice that adds warm, comforting notes and the iconic taste of this recipe.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spraying a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Preparing the pan first ensures your cruffins pop out neatly after baking, making cleanup simpler too.
Step 2: Roll out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough and gently stretch it into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If there are perforations in the dough, be sure to press them firmly together to seal. This prevents the filling from leaking and keeps your layers intact.
Step 3: Butter the Dough
Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the surface of each dough sheet. This step is crucial as the butter adds luscious moisture and flakiness, making each bite wonderfully tender and rich.
Step 4: Mix Cinnamon Sugar
Whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until fully combined. This mixture will provide that irresistible cinnamon sugar crunch and aroma that defines the cruffin.
Step 5: Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar
Evenly sprinkle a quarter cup of the cinnamon sugar over the buttered dough, pressing it lightly so it sticks. This ensures every layer is infused with that sweet and spicy flavor you’re dreaming of.
Step 6: Roll the Dough into Logs
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. This rolling action creates the beautiful, flaky layers that resemble a croissant but with a muffin form.
Step 7: Cut Logs into Sections
Cut each dough log in half, then cut each half lengthwise into two, so you end up with four long sections. Repeat this with all three dough sheets for a total of 12 sections to form your cruffins.
Step 8: Shape the Cruffins
Carefully roll each dough section with the layered side facing outward into a spiral, tucking in the ends neatly. This shaping locks in the layers and gives the cruffins their iconic swirled shape.
Step 9: Place in Muffin Tin and Bake
Arrange each rolled cruffin into the prepared muffin tin cups. Bake in your preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until they puff up and turn a gorgeous golden brown on top.
Step 10: Coat with Remaining Cinnamon Sugar
Right after baking, roll each warm cruffin in the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra crispy, sweet coating that will make your kitchen smell like heaven.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
Garnishes
Try dusting your cruffins lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch or drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or a smear of cream cheese frosting can turn them into a show-stopping dessert.
Side Dishes
These cruffins pair beautifully with fresh fruit such as berries or sliced apples. Serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a creamy latte to complement their warm cinnamon flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the cruffins horizontally and fill with flavored cream cheese or Nutella for a decadent breakfast sandwich. You can also turn them into mini cinnamon sugar “poppers” by slicing into bite-sized pieces and serving on a platter for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them fresh and preserves their soft, flaky texture without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cruffins by wrapping each individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To refresh your cruffins, reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving to keep that perfect flaky texture intact.
FAQs
Can I make these cruffins with homemade dough?
Absolutely! If you prefer homemade croissant or puff pastry dough, it will work wonderfully in this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe, though it requires some extra time and skill for layering.
Do I have to use refrigerated crescent roll dough?
Refrigerated crescent roll dough is the easiest option and gives great results, but feel free to experiment with other puff pastry doughs for different textures and flavors.
Can I add other spices to the cinnamon sugar mixture?
Yes! Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can add lovely warmth and complexity. Just keep the spice balance to your taste preference.
How long do cruffins keep fresh?
When stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, they stay fresh for about 2 days, but they’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Are cruffins gluten-free?
This recipe uses crescent roll dough, which contains gluten, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you could try gluten-free puff pastry alternatives if you have dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about biting into a warm, cinnamon sugar-coated cruffin that you made yourself. This Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that combines ease with incredible flavor and texture. Give it a try and watch your kitchen fill with the irresistible aroma of butter and cinnamon, turning any ordinary day into a celebration. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to treat for cozy mornings or anytime you want a little baked happiness.
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Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin recipe combines the flaky layers of crescent roll dough with a rich buttery cinnamon-sugar coating, baked into individual muffin-sized pastries. Crispy on the outside, soft and layered on the inside, these cruffins are perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or an indulgent snack that’s simple to make with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside to prepare for baking the cruffins.
- Roll out dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough and gently roll it out into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If using perforated crescent dough, pinch seams well to seal them.
- Butter the dough: Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the entire surface of each dough sheet to ensure a rich buttery flavor and flakiness in the final product.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until fully combined to create the sweet, spiced coating for the cruffins.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar: Evenly sprinkle ¼ cup of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of each buttered dough sheet, pressing it gently into the dough to help it adhere and infuse flavor.
- Roll dough into logs: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll each dough sheet into a log shape to create multiple layers ready for slicing into portions.
- Cut logs into sections: Cut each dough log in half to create two shorter logs, then cut each shorter log lengthwise into halves, yielding four long sections per dough sheet.
- Repeat for all sheets: Perform the rolling and cutting process with all three dough sheets, resulting in a total of 12 dough sections.
- Shape the cruffins: Take each dough section and carefully roll it up with the layered side facing outward into a cinnamon roll shape, tucking in the ends to secure the spiral.
- Place in muffin tin: Arrange each rolled cruffin section into the prepared muffin tin cups, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cruffins: Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until they are puffed up and golden brown on top, indicating they are cooked through and flaky.
- Coat with remaining cinnamon sugar: Immediately after removing the cruffins from the oven, roll each one in the reserved cinnamon sugar mixture to add an extra layer of sweetness and crunch.
Notes
- Make sure to seal the seams of the crescent roll dough well if perforated to prevent the layers from separating.
- Use softened but not melted butter for easier spreading on the dough surface.
- Pressing the cinnamon sugar gently onto the dough helps it stick better and enhances flavor throughout the layers.
- Roll the dough logs tightly to create distinct flaky layers in the final cruffins.
- Check the cruffins a few minutes before the minimum baking time to prevent over-browning, as ovens may vary.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor, as cruffins crisp up when cooled.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
