There’s something undeniably magical about Homemade Cruffins—those glorious, croissant-muffin hybrids that are as delightful to make as they are to eat. Imagine unraveling layers of buttery pastry, each bite revealing the perfect marriage of flaky croissant and soft, tender muffin. This recipe brings the beloved bakery treat right to your own kitchen, and whether you fill yours with jam, cinnamon sugar, or Nutella, get ready to wow everyone with the irresistible aroma (and taste!) of a basket full of warm, freshly baked cruffins.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Even though Homemade Cruffins taste like something from a Parisian patisserie, their ingredient list is beautifully straightforward. Each component plays a crucial role, contributing to flavor, flakiness, and the melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Let’s break down why you’ll need each one:

All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives your cruffins structure, rise, and chew.
Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the butter and create that gorgeous golden crust.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—never skip it for truly balanced pastries!
Instant yeast: The engine behind your cruffins’ puff, creating lightness and those signature tall layers.
Warm milk: Helps activate the yeast and keeps your dough wonderfully tender and soft.
Large egg: Enriches the dough for a beautiful golden hue and extra soft texture.
Unsalted butter (softened, for dough): Infuses your cruffin dough with rich, buttery flavor.
Unsalted butter (very soft, for laminating): The secret to authentic croissant-style layers—generously spread for the ultimate flake!
Granulated sugar (for coating): Gives each cruffin a sweetly crunchy finish the moment they come out of the oven.
Optional fillings (cinnamon sugar, jam, or Nutella): Personalize your Homemade Cruffins with a decadent center that matches your craving!

How to Make Homemade Cruffins

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough

Let’s get started on what will soon become the best part of your morning! In a large mixing bowl (or your trusty stand mixer), combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add the warm milk and egg, and bring the dough together until everything starts to unify. Now add the 1/4 cup softened butter piece by piece. Knead this mixture for about 8 to 10 minutes until your dough becomes beautifully smooth and elastic—it should spring back when poked. This kneading builds strength, giving your Homemade Cruffins their characteristic structure.

Step 2: First Rise

Once your dough is silky and supple, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot. Give it about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. Watching the dough grow is always a little satisfaction boost—it means your yeast is working its magic and you’re well on your way to tender, fluffy cruffins!

Step 3: Divide and Roll Out

After the first rise, give the dough a gentle punch down to release any trapped air. Divide it into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each section into a very thin rectangle. The thinner you roll, the more spectacular your layers will be—so go for it! This is where Homemade Cruffins start to take on their signature croissant appeal.

Step 4: Laminate with Butter

Take that ultra-soft butter and spread a thin, even layer over each rectangle. Don’t be shy; the butter is what makes those gorgeous, shattering flakes. Starting at the short end, roll the dough up tightly, jelly-roll style, into a tidy log. Repeat for all four rectangles. This step is pure pastry therapy!

Step 5: Slice, Spiral, and Shape

Now comes the most fun (and a little messy) part: take each log and slice it lengthwise right down the center, exposing all those dreamy, thin layers. With the cut side facing out, roll each half into a neat spiral, tucking the end underneath. Pop each swirl into a greased muffin tin well—your cruffins are almost ready to rise to new heights.

Step 6: Second Rise and Bake

Cover the filled muffin tin loosely and let your creations rise again for 30 to 40 minutes, until puffy and lively. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then bake the cruffins for 18 to 22 minutes, until they’re enticingly golden and crisp on top. Your kitchen will smell heavenly—trust me!

Step 7: Sugar Coat and Fill

Let the Homemade Cruffins cool just enough to handle, then roll each one in granulated sugar for that iconic sweet crunch. If you want to take these over the top, use a piping bag to fill the centers with jam, Nutella, or any filling your heart desires. The result? The ultimate treat for breakfast or whenever your sweet tooth calls.

How to Serve Homemade Cruffins

Garnishes

Homemade Cruffins shine with a quick roll in granulated sugar, but don’t overlook the simple joys of a light dusting of powdered sugar, a scattering of slivered almonds, or even a gentle drizzle of vanilla glaze right before serving. Each accent complements the pastry’s natural beauty and elevates the eating experience.

Side Dishes

Serve your cruffins alongside a big mug of coffee or creamy hot chocolate for the coziest brunch imaginable. For a fancier spread, offer them with fresh berries, Greek yogurt, or even a platter of soft scrambled eggs—the savory sides balance all those sweet, buttery layers.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping display, stack your Homemade Cruffins high in a rustic bread basket, line them up on a cake stand, or wrap each one in parchment for a bakery-chic look. I love arranging them with small bowls of jam, fruit curd, or whipped butter so everyone can mix and match their flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

While nothing beats a Homemade Cruffin fresh from the oven, you can absolutely save leftovers. Store cooled cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you plan to sugar-coat, do it right after baking so the sugar sticks beautifully, even after storage.

Freezing

Want to plan ahead? Freeze fully cooled, unsugared cruffins in a zip-top bag with as much air pressed out as possible. They’ll be happy in your freezer for up to one month. To serve, thaw at room temperature, reheat, and give them a fresh roll in sugar for that just-baked finish.

Reheating

To recapture their signature flake, pop leftover cruffins in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. Microwaves aren’t ideal for pastries like these, so embrace the oven for the freshest texture—and don’t forget to re-coat with sugar if needed!

FAQs

What makes Homemade Cruffins different from regular muffins?

A regular muffin is soft and cake-like, while Homemade Cruffins boast dozens of crisp, flaky layers inside a muffin shape. They taste like a cross between a croissant and a sweet roll—light, buttery, and completely unique.

Can I add chocolate chips or dried fruit to the dough?

Absolutely! Sprinkle chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, or dried fruit over the buttered dough before rolling it up. Just avoid adding wet ingredients directly to the dough, as this can affect the cruffins’ beautiful lamination.

Why is my dough not rising?

Typically this happens if the yeast is expired or the milk was too hot, which can kill yeast rather than activate it. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is just warm (not hot) to the touch for a perfect Homemade Cruffin rise.

How can I make vegan Homemade Cruffins?

For a vegan version, substitute dairy-free butter and plant-based milk, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). The cruffins will still turn out irresistibly flaky and delicious!

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes! After the first rise, shape your cruffins and then refrigerate the muffin tin overnight, covered. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising before baking for a perfect “just-made” taste.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been wanting to bring bakery magic into your own kitchen, there’s no better way than with Homemade Cruffins. Don’t be intimidated by the steps—the results speak for themselves: layer upon layer of buttery delight, just waiting for your favorite filling. Happy baking, and enjoy every bite!

Homemade Cruffins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 11 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 8 cruffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make delicious homemade cruffins, a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins. These flaky pastries are perfect for a sweet brunch treat or breakfast indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
3/4 cup warm milk
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Lamination:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft

Coating and Filling:

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
Optional fillings such as cinnamon sugar, jam, or Nutella

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Instructions

Dough Preparation: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm milk and egg, mix until a dough forms. Add softened butter, knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
Rising and Shaping: Let dough rise for 1 hour, divide into 4 pieces. Roll each into a rectangle, spread soft butter, roll into logs, cut lengthwise, and shape into spirals in muffin tin.
Baking: Let cruffins rise, then bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes until golden. Roll in sugar while warm and fill if desired.