Name: Churro Cruffins: A Delightful Fusion Pastry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; Dulce de leche or chocolate spread (optional)

Churro Cruffins combine the crispy, cinnamon-sugar coated goodness of churros with the flaky, buttery texture of croissant muffins. This easy-to-make treat brings bakery-quality indulgence right to your home kitchen with minimal ingredients and effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Churro Cruffins offer the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication. Using store-bought puff pastry eliminates the lengthy process of making laminated dough from scratch, making this a quick project even for beginner bakers. The exterior develops a delightful crunch from the cinnamon-sugar coating, while the interior remains tender and flaky. Add an optional filling of dulce de leche or chocolate for an extra layer of decadence. They’re perfect for weekend brunches, afternoon tea, or whenever you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Puff pastry is the shortcut hero of this recipe, providing all the flaky, buttery layers without the labor-intensive process of making croissant dough from scratch. Look for all-butter puff pastry for the best flavor, and make sure it’s completely thawed before working with it.
Unsalted butter adds richness and helps the cinnamon-sugar coating adhere to the cruffins. It also enhances the buttery flavor that makes these pastries so irresistible. If you only have salted butter, it will work, but omit any additional salt in the recipe.
Granulated sugar provides the signature sweet coating that gives these cruffins their churro-like quality. It creates a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.
Ground cinnamon brings warm, aromatic spice that defines the churro experience. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference for a stronger or milder cinnamon flavor.
Dulce de leche or chocolate spread are optional fillings that transform these cruffins into even more decadent treats. The caramel notes of dulce de leche particularly complement the cinnamon flavor, while chocolate adds a rich counterpoint to the buttery pastry.
Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry to smooth any creases and create an even rectangle.
Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with melted butter, ensuring complete coverage.
Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll up the puff pastry into a log shape, keeping it as even as possible.
Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1-inch slices. You should get approximately 6 slices.
Gently twist each slice to form a spiral, enhancing the “cruffin” appearance.
Place each twisted slice into a greased muffin tin cavity, with the cut side facing up to display the layers.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cruffins are golden brown and puffed up.
While the cruffins are baking, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl until well combined.
Remove the baked cruffins from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes until they’re safe to handle.
Brush each warm cruffin with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat well on all sides.
For an optional but delicious finishing touch, use a piping bag to fill the center of each cruffin with dulce de leche or chocolate spread.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 6 churro cruffins, making it perfect for a small family breakfast or dessert. It takes just 10 minutes to prep, 25 minutes to bake, for a total time of 35 minutes. Each cruffin contains approximately 250 calories, though this may vary based on the exact size of your puff pastry sheet and whether you add the optional filling.

Variations

Spiced Orange Churro Cruffins: Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy twist.
Cardamom Churro Cruffins: Substitute half of the cinnamon with ground cardamom for an aromatic, slightly floral variation.
Apple Pie Churro Cruffins: Spread a thin layer of apple butter on the puff pastry before rolling it up.
Nutella-Stuffed Churro Cruffins: Fill the baked cruffins with Nutella for a hazelnut chocolate delight.
Cream Cheese Churro Cruffins: Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and fill the cruffins for a cheesecake-inspired treat.

Storage/Reheating

Churro Cruffins are best enjoyed fresh on the day they’re made when the contrast between the crisp exterior and flaky interior is at its peak. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat, place the cruffins in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. This will help restore some of the crispness to the exterior. Avoid microwaving as this will make the cruffins soggy.
If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the unbaked, shaped cruffins in the muffin tin, then transfer to a freezer bag once frozen. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the baking time. Apply the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating after baking as usual.

FAQs

Can I make these Churro Cruffins with homemade puff pastry?

Yes, you can absolutely use homemade puff pastry if you prefer. The results will be even more delicious, though it will significantly increase the preparation time. Ensure your homemade pastry is rolled to a similar thickness as store-bought (about 1/8 inch).

Why did my cruffins unravel during baking?

This usually happens if the puff pastry slices aren’t twisted tight enough or if they weren’t placed properly in the muffin tin. Make sure to twist each slice firmly and place them with the cut side up, tucking in any loose ends.

Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?

While crescent roll dough can be substituted in a pinch, the results won’t be as flaky or buttery. If using crescent dough, pinch together the perforations before rolling to create a solid sheet.

My cruffins didn’t rise as much as expected. What went wrong?

Puff pastry needs to be kept cold to rise properly. If your dough warmed up too much during preparation, the butter layers can melt prematurely, reducing the “puff” effect. Try chilling the prepared cruffins in the muffin tin for 15 minutes before baking.

How do I know when the cruffins are done baking?

Properly baked cruffins should be golden brown on the exterior and feel set when gently pressed. If you’re uncertain, you can carefully lift one slightly to check that the bottom is also golden and not doughy.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, look for dairy-free puff pastry (many commercial brands are actually vegan) and use a plant-based butter alternative for brushing and coating.

My cinnamon-sugar coating isn’t sticking well. Any tips?

Make sure to brush the cruffins generously with melted butter while they’re still warm (but not hot) from the oven. Then immediately roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The warmth of the pastry helps the coating adhere better.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Absolutely! Finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled on the puff pastry before rolling, or mixed into the cinnamon-sugar coating for added texture and flavor.

How do I prevent the cruffins from sticking to the muffin tin?

Besides greasing the muffin tin well, you can also line each cavity with strips of parchment paper. This creates “handles” that make removing the baked cruffins easier.

Can I make mini versions of these cruffins?

Yes, you can use a mini muffin tin to create bite-sized churro cruffins. Cut the rolled log into thinner slices (about 1/2 inch) and reduce the baking time to 15-18 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.

Conclusion

Churro Cruffins represent the best of both worlds – the beloved cinnamon-sugar flavor of churros combined with the irresistible flaky texture of croissant-inspired muffins. This recipe brings together convenience and indulgence, allowing you to create bakery-worthy treats with minimal effort. Whether served as a special breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert, these cruffins are sure to become a requested favorite. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – keep them simple with just the cinnamon-sugar coating or elevate them with luscious fillings. Either way, the warm aroma of buttery pastry and cinnamon will fill your kitchen and delight your taste buds.