If you’ve been on the lookout for a show-stopping pastry that’s both delightfully flaky and bursting with sweet cinnamon flavor, then you’re going to adore this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe. Imagine the best qualities of a croissant and a muffin combined into one irresistible treat, coated in cinnamon sugar that creates a perfectly crisp, caramelized exterior. Whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or a special snack, this recipe promises a comforting, homemade indulgence that’s easier to create than you might think. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and buttery goodness that’s bound to impress family and friends alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, each one plays a vital role: buttery richness for flakiness, cinnamon sugar for that irresistible sweet-spiced crunch, and crescent roll dough as the convenient yet versatile base. Here’s everything you’ll need to bring these cruffins to life:
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets: The perfect flaky dough base that saves time without sacrificing texture.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and divided: Adds richness and creates layers that flake beautifully when baked.
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar: Provides the sweet foundation for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: The signature spice that delivers warmth and depth of flavor throughout the cruffins.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin
Start by heating your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray—this will help you easily release your cruffins once they’re baked to a golden perfection. Setting this up early gets you in the right baking mindset, so you’ll be ready when it’s time to assemble.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, carefully unroll each tube of crescent roll dough and gently stretch it into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If your dough has seams or perforations, pinch them well to seal; you want a smooth, continuous surface so the layers stay intact during baking. This step sets the stage for those beautiful, flaky folds.
Step 3: Butter the Dough
Next, evenly spread 2 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter over each sheet of dough. This rich butter layer is crucial because it will steam and create the delicate flaky layers we all crave in a cruffin. Don’t be shy—cover every inch for the best texture and depth of flavor.
Step 4: Mix and Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle about ¼ cup of this fragrant mixture evenly over each buttered dough sheet, then gently press it in so the cinnamon sugar sticks. This sweet layer is what will give your cruffins their signature crunch and spice.
Step 5: Roll and Cut the Dough Logs
Starting from the long edge, roll each dough sheet tightly into a log to build those many layers. Then cut each log in half, and slice each half lengthwise into two long strips—giving you four sections from each rolled dough sheet. Repeat with all three dough sheets and you’ll have 12 strips total, each ready to become a cruffin.
Step 6: Shape the Cruffins
Take each cinnamon sugar–layered strip and roll it up from the layered side outwards, like forming a cinnamon roll. Tuck the ends under to secure the spiral and make a neat little bundle. This technique captures all those buttery, cinnamon-sugar layers inside each cruffin.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place each rolled cruffin into the prepared muffin tin cups. Give them space to puff and rise. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until they’re beautifully golden on top and puffed up with flaky layers visible. The oven’s magic is transforming simple dough and sugar into pure breakfast bliss.
Step 8: Coat with Remaining Cinnamon Sugar
The finishing touch is just as important—right after baking, roll each warm cruffin in the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. This step locks in sweetness and adds a satisfying crunch on every bite, creating a stunning contrast with the soft and flaky interior.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
Garnishes
While these cruffins are absolute showstoppers on their own, adding a simple glaze of powdered sugar icing or a drizzle of melted chocolate instantly elevates them for special occasions. Fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar can also add a lovely visual contrast and freshness.
Side Dishes
Pair these treats with a cup of creamy latte, chai tea, or even a fresh fruit salad to balance out their buttery sweetness. A side of yogurt with a sprinkle of granola makes for a surprisingly delightful combination that feels both indulgent and wholesome.
Creative Ways to Present
Elevate presentation by serving warm cruffins nestled in a rustic bread basket lined with a charming gingham cloth. For brunch parties, arrange a platter with mini jars of honey, jam, or nut butter for guests to customize their bites, making this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe the centerpiece of a cozy gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though that is unlikely!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them fresh and retains their crisp exterior. Before storing, make sure they have cooled completely to prevent sogginess.
Freezing
To enjoy cruffins later, freeze cooled cruffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. Freezing preserves their flaky texture, so you can savor cinnamon sugar goodness anytime.
Reheating
When ready to eat, reheat cruffins in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them chewy rather than flaky and delightful.
FAQs
Can I use homemade croissant dough instead of crescent roll sheets?
Absolutely! While crescent roll sheets offer convenience, homemade croissant dough will enhance the flakiness and give your cruffins an even more authentic buttery texture. Just ensure your dough is rolled thin and shaped similarly for the best results.
Is there a way to make these cruffins dairy-free?
Yes! You can substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil spread. The crescent dough may contain dairy, so be sure to check the package or opt for dairy-free dough to keep the recipe completely vegan.
Can I add fillings like chocolate or nuts inside the cruffins?
Definitely! Before rolling the dough into logs, sprinkle mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a spread like Nutella for a delicious surprise inside your cruffins. Just be mindful not to overfill, so the layers can still puff up nicely.
How do I know when the cruffins are perfectly baked?
You’ll want to look for a deep golden-brown color on top and sides, and a noticeable puffiness indicating well-risen layers. They should feel light and slightly crisp on the outside but soft and flaky inside. The baking time in the recipe is a great guideline, but ovens can vary.
Can I prepare these the night before and bake in the morning?
Yes, you can assemble your cruffins up to the shaping step and refrigerate them covered overnight. Before baking, allow them to come to room temperature while your oven preheats, then continue with baking as directed. This makes morning baking easier and fresher.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about creating this Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe in your own kitchen. It turns simple ingredients into a flaky, aromatic treat that feels both nostalgic and special. Whether you’re making them for a weekend breakfast or a festive brunch, these cruffins bring a warm, comforting sweetness that’s simply irresistible. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the delicious adventure of baking these little wonders—you and everyone you share them with will be so glad you did!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnamon Sugar Cruffin recipe combines flaky crescent roll dough with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating for a delightful homemade pastry that’s easy to prepare. Rolled and baked in a muffin tin, these cruffins have layers of cinnamon-spiced sweetness and a golden, crispy exterior perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, 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
- Ensure the butter is softened for easy spreading and better absorption into the dough layers.
- Press the cinnamon-sugar mixture gently into the dough to keep it from falling off during rolling and baking.
- If crescent dough has perforations, pinch seams tightly to prevent it from opening while baking.
- Work quickly when shaping the cruffins to keep the butter from melting prematurely.
- Use a nonstick spray or line the muffin tin for easy removal of the cruffins after baking.
