If you’ve ever dreamed of a pastry that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the handheld convenience of a muffin, then you’re in for an absolute treat with this Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Cruffins Recipe. Imagine biting into tender, buttery dough that’s swirled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling that warms your senses with every bite. This recipe is a total game changer, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or just whenever you need a little pastry magic in your day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples, each playing a crucial role to bring the perfect texture, sweetness, and aroma to your cruffins. From the soft all-purpose flour that forms the dough’s base, to the fragrant cinnamon that gives it that iconic swirl, everything combines for a delightful, comforting pastry.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The backbone of your dough, ensuring a tender yet sturdy structure.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough itself.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
- Active dry yeast (1 packet): The magic behind the rise, providing lightness and fluffiness.
- Warm milk (3/4 cup): Helps activate the yeast and hydrate the dough for softness.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup): Adds richness and a tender crumb to the pastry.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and contribute to a beautiful golden color.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a subtle warmth that complements the cinnamon swirl.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup): Key for that luscious cinnamon filling that melts in your mouth.
- Brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Gives the filling its deep, caramel-like sweetness and moist texture.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The star spice that delivers that irresistible warm, spicy flavor.
- Egg, beaten (1): For brushing on top, creating a glossy, golden finish once baked.
How to Make Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Start by mixing all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl; this is your dry foundation, evenly seasoned and sweetened to perfection.
Step 2: Add the Yeast
Sprinkle the active dry yeast evenly over the dry ingredients to ensure it activates uniformly, giving your dough the lift it needs.
Step 3: Warm the Milk
Gently warm the milk until it reaches about 110°F — warm enough to wake up the yeast but not so hot that it kills it.
Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry
Pour the warm milk into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir lightly until the yeast begins to show signs of life and sparkle through the mix.
Step 5: Add Butter, Eggs, and Vanilla
Incorporate melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract into the bowl, enriching the dough with buttery flavor and a lovely aroma.
Step 6: Form the Dough
Use a wooden spoon or your hands to combine everything until a sticky, cohesive dough forms, full of promise.
Step 7: Knead for Elasticity
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic — this step builds the structure that will hold those flaky layers.
Step 8: Let it Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it snugly, and let it double in size over about an hour, developing flavor and lightness.
Step 9: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
While waiting, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl — the heart of that delicious cinnamon swirl you’ll love.
Step 10: Punch Down and Roll Out
Give your dough a gentle punch to release air bubbles, then roll it on a floured surface into a thin rectangle, ready to be filled.
Step 11: Spread the Filling
Evenly layer the cinnamon-butter mixture over the dough, ensuring every bite is packed with sweet, spiced goodness.
Step 12: Roll Up and Slice
Roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice into 12 even pieces — this is where the swirl magic begins!
Step 13: Arrange in Muffin Tin
Place each piece cut-side up in a moisturized muffin tin so they bake perfectly shaped and easy to handle.
Step 14: Final Rise
Cover and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes, so those spirals puff up beautifully during baking.
Step 15: Egg Wash and Bake
Brush beaten egg on top to achieve a golden shiny crust, then bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes until gorgeously golden and puffed.
Step 16: Cool and Enjoy
Let your delicious cinnamon swirl cruffins cool slightly before removing from the tin — then prepare to savor the flaky, cinnamon-spiced joy!
How to Serve Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple drizzle of vanilla glaze elevates these cruffins into a bakery-worthy treat that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair these cruffins with fresh fruit, a dollop of whipped cream, or a warm cup of coffee or chai tea to create a cozy, well-rounded breakfast or snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing them horizontally and stuffing with cream cheese or fruit jam for a decadent sandwich twist or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their tender texture and fresh flavor.
Freezing
Wrap each cruffin tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag; they freeze beautifully for up to one month, perfect for a handy sweet treat anytime.
Reheating
Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to bring back their flaky crispness; avoid microwaving to keep that delightful texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing it in warm milk first, which can save a little time.
What makes this different from regular cinnamon rolls?
These cruffins combine the delicate, flaky layers of croissant dough with cinnamon roll flavors, baked in a muffin shape for a unique texture and easy handling.
Can I substitute whole milk for non-dairy milk?
Yes, plant-based milks like almond or oat milk work well, just make sure they are warmed to activate the yeast properly.
Why do I need to brush the cruffins with egg wash?
The egg wash creates a gorgeous golden color and gives the cruffins a slight sheen, making them look as delicious as they taste.
How do I store leftover cruffins to keep them fresh?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or freeze for longer storage, then reheat to revive their freshness.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to resist the charm of the Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Cruffins Recipe once you’ve tried it. Flaky, buttery, and kissed with warm cinnamon sweetness, these treats bring joy to any table and are bound to become your new pastry obsession. I can’t wait for you to make them and share in the deliciousness!
Print
Delicious Cinnamon Swirl Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 30m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 1h 50m
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious Cruffins are a delightful hybrid pastry combining the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant with the convenient muffin shape. Made with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and baked to a golden finish, these treats are perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt to create the base for your dough.
- Add Yeast: Sprinkle the active dry yeast evenly over the dry mixture to prepare it for activation.
- Warm Milk: Gently warm the milk in a separate bowl until it reaches about 110°F, the ideal temperature for yeast activation.
- Activate Yeast: Pour the warm milk into the dry ingredients and stir until the yeast begins to activate, indicating it’s ready to work its magic.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the melted unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract into the mixture to enrich the dough.
- Form Dough: Mix all ingredients together with a wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, ensuring good gluten development.
- First Rise: Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl to create the delicious filling.
- Punch Down Dough: After rising, gently punch down the dough to release trapped air bubbles.
- Roll Dough: Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a thin rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the cinnamon-brown sugar filling over the rolled dough to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Roll Up Dough: Starting at one end, tightly roll the dough into a log, preserving the layers and filling inside.
- Cut Log: Cut the rolled dough into 12 even pieces for individual cruffins.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Grease a muffin tin to prevent sticking and place each dough piece into the cups with the spiral side facing up.
- Second Rise: Cover the muffin tin with a towel and allow the dough pieces to rise for another 30 minutes until puffed up.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F to get ready for baking.
- Brush Tops: Brush the tops of each cruffin with beaten egg to achieve a golden, shiny finish.
- Bake: Bake the cruffins for 18 to 22 minutes until they are golden brown and puffy, signaling they are perfectly cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cruffins cool for a few minutes in the tin before removing and serving warm to enjoy their flaky texture and warm cinnamon swirl.
Notes
- Ensure milk is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast; 110°F is ideal.
- Kneading is crucial for developing gluten, which gives the cruffins their structure.
- If you prefer an extra flaky texture, chill the dough between rolling and spreading the filling.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the rolled dough to avoid squishing the layers.
- Brush with beaten egg just before baking for a shiny, golden crust.
- These cruffins are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave before serving.
