If you are craving a delightful treat that combines the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant with the sweet, spiced goodness of cinnamon rolls, then the Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This recipe delivers perfectly puffed, deliciously swirled pastries that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Each bite reveals a caramelized cinnamon sugar center enveloped by soft, tender dough, all topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze that ties everything together in one irresistible package.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these remarkable Cinnamon Roll Cruffins, you only need a handful of simple, everyday ingredients that each play a crucial role in crafting the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color.
- Crescent roll dough or puff pastry: This forms the flaky, buttery base that makes the cruffins tender and airy.
- Butter: Spread generously to add richness and help the cinnamon sugar caramelize beautifully.
- Cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and aromatic depth to every bite.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel-like sweetness that complements the cinnamon.
- Granulated sugar: Balances firmness with sweetness in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cream cheese (for glaze): Creates a tangy, creamy topping that contrasts delightfully with the sweet cruffin.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze for a perfectly smooth finish.
- Optional spices (cardamom, nutmeg): Add a hint of complexity and warmth to the cinnamon sugar.
- Optional add-ins (Nutella, raisins, chocolate chips): Customize your cruffins with little bursts of extra flavor and texture.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Roll Out the Dough
Start by laying your crescent roll dough or puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and rolling it out evenly to create a smooth, uniform rectangle. This step is crucial because an even dough layer ensures that your cruffins bake uniformly and have those perfect, flaky layers.
Step 2: Spread the Butter Evenly
Next, take softened butter and spread it generously over the entire surface of the dough. The butter infuses the pastry with moisture and richness, setting the foundation for that irresistible golden crust and tender crumb inside each cruffin.
Step 3: Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and granulated sugar—and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg—and sprinkle this fragrant mix evenly over the buttered dough. This step is where all the signature cinnamon roll flavors come alive!
Step 4: Add Optional Fillings
If you want to jazz up your cruffins, add little dollops of Nutella, or scatter raisins or chocolate chips over the cinnamon sugar layer. These add-ins bring delightful bursts of surprise and texture, turning each cruffin into a unique indulgence.
Step 5: Roll Tightly and Slice
Carefully roll the dough from one long side into a tight log, ensuring the filling stays in place. Then slice the log into 12 even pieces so that each cruffin has that beautiful spiral of cinnamon goodness visible on the sides.
Step 6: Place in Muffin Tin
Place each slice upright into a well-greased muffin tin. This shape helps the cruffins hold their form during baking, giving them height and that lovely “cruffin” texture, which is part croissant, part muffin, all delicious.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cruffins in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them — they should turn a beautiful golden brown on top while the inside remains soft and tender.
Step 8: Cool and Drizzle Cream Cheese Glaze
Once baked, allow your cruffins to cool enough so the glaze doesn’t melt away. Then drizzle on your homemade cream cheese glaze made by mixing cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar for a sweet, tangy finish that enhances every bite.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra cinnamon or a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar on top after glazing for a charming presentation. You can also add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to bring a bit of crunch and contrast to the soft pastry.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet cruffins with a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or a creamy latte to complement the cinnamon spice perfectly. Fresh fruit like berries or slices of apple can add a refreshing note alongside the rich pastry.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe in a rustic basket lined with a pretty cloth to impress guests at brunch. Or, for a fun twist, slice them and use as layers in a cinnamon roll parfait with whipped cream and fruit for a unique dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover cruffins, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to keep their moist, tender texture. Refrigeration is not recommended as it can dry them out.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked sliced rolls placed individually on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to one month. When ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Cooked cruffins can also be frozen but may lose some crispiness.
Reheating
Reheat leftover cruffins gently in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 to 8 minutes. This restores the crisp exterior while warming the soft inside and freshening that luscious cream cheese glaze.
FAQs
Can I use regular bread dough instead of puff pastry or crescent roll dough?
While regular bread dough is wonderful in many recipes, it lacks the delicate, flaky layers that make cruffins special. For the best results with this Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe, puff pastry or crescent roll dough is highly recommended.
Is there a dairy-free version of the cream cheese glaze?
Absolutely! You can swap traditional cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative and use powdered sugar mixed with a splash of plant-based milk for a dairy-free glaze that’s just as creamy and delicious.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make gluten-free Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe, select a gluten-free puff pastry or crescent dough available at specialty stores. Keep in mind the texture may vary slightly, but the flavors will still shine through beautifully.
What’s the best way to ensure my cruffins come out perfectly flaky?
Keep all ingredients, especially the dough and butter, cold until baking, and avoid overhandling the dough. This helps maintain the layers that puff up into a flaky, tender pastry during baking.
Can I add other flavors to the filling?
Definitely! Aside from cinnamon sugar, you can experiment with fillings like pumpkin spice, lemon zest with sugar, or even a sprinkle of cardamom and orange peel for a unique twist on this classic treat.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe enough for anyone who loves a warm, sweet, and buttery pastry with a bit of a fun twist. It’s such a crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to recipe that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple.
Print
Cinnamon Roll Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Roll Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, featuring flaky layers of buttery dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and optional fillings like Nutella or raisins. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze, they make a perfect sweet treat for breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 1 package crescent roll dough or puff pastry (enough for 12 cruffins)
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Optional add-ins: 3 tablespoons Nutella, 1/4 cup raisins, or 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Glaze
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (to thin, if necessary)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry evenly on a clean surface to create a flat rectangle, ensuring consistent thickness for even baking.
- Apply the butter: Spread the softened butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough using a spatula or butter knife to add richness to the layers.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar: Combine the cinnamon, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and optional spices (cardamom and nutmeg) in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Add optional fillings: If desired, evenly scatter Nutella, raisins, or chocolate chips over the cinnamon sugar layer for extra flavor and texture.
- Roll and slice: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal pieces to form the cruffins.
- Arrange in muffin tin: Place each sliced piece upright into a greased or non-stick muffin tin, allowing room for expansion as they bake.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cruffins for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and glaze: Allow the cruffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking softened cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cruffins before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute crescent roll dough with puff pastry for a flakier texture.
- Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less confectioners’ sugar to taste.
- Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave before serving for a fresh-baked taste.
- Feel free to experiment with different fillings like chopped nuts or dried fruit.
