Cruffins (Croissant Muffin)

Ingredients

• 17.3 oz Puff pastry (2 packages, 4 sheets total; thawed but still cold)
• 1 cup Granulated sugar (4 tablespoons reserved for coating the baked rolls)
• 4 tbsp Ground cinnamon (Mixed with the sugar; 4 tablespoons of the finished cinnamon sugar are reserved for coating)
• 0.5 cup Salted butter (Softened; spread ¼ cup over each of two puff pastry sheets)
• Nonstick cooking spray (For preparing the muffin pan; alternatively use paper cupcake liners)
• Flour (A light dusting for the muffin pan if using cooking spray; optional when using paper liners)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by lightly spraying it with nonstick cooking spray and dusting it with flour, or line the cups with paper cupcake liners.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly. Measure out and reserve exactly 4 tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar for coating the baked cruffins.

3. 3

   Lay all four thawed puff pastry sheets flat on a clean countertop. Work with the pastry while it is still cold and avoid over-handling it.

4. 4

   Take two puff pastry sheets and spread ¼ cup of the softened butter evenly over each sheet, covering the surfaces completely.

5. 5

   Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously over the buttered pastry sheets.

6. 6

   Place one of the remaining puff pastry sheets directly on top of each cinnamon-sugar-coated sheet, forming two layered stacks.

7. 7

   Using a sharp pizza cutter or pastry wheel, cut each layered stack into 6 even strips, for 12 strips total.

8. 8

   Starting at one end of each strip, roll it tightly into a cinnamon-roll-style spiral. Pinch the ends closed so the cinnamon sugar filling stays inside during baking.

9. 9

   Place each spiral into a prepared muffin cup.

10. 10

    Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the cruffins are puffed and golden brown.

11. 11

    While the cruffins are still warm, gently toss each one in the reserved 4 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar to coat the outside.

12. 12

    Serve immediately while the cruffins are crisp on the outside and buttery inside.

Notes

The puff pastry should be fully thawed but still cold. Softened butter spreads more evenly; the source recommends letting it sit out for about 20 minutes. If pastry tears, patch it gently. If the rolls puff over the muffin cups, gently press them back down before baking. Optional variations mentioned by the source include replacing the butter with a thin layer of chocolate hazelnut spread and adding chopped toasted hazelnuts, or mixing 1 teaspoon orange zest into the cinnamon sugar.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• sweet
• baked
• pastry
• vegetarian
• cinnamon
• quick
• comfort food