Cinnamon Cruffins are a deliciously flaky, buttery, and cinnamon-sugar-coated treat that combines the best of croissants and muffins. Made with refrigerated crescent roll dough, these quick and easy cruffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a special dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to make – Uses store-bought crescent roll dough for convenience.
- Perfectly flaky – A beautiful combination of a croissant’s layers with a muffin’s shape.
- Sweet and cinnamon-y – Coated in cinnamon sugar for a warm, comforting taste.
- Great for any occasion – Ideal for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or a quick dessert.
- Make-ahead friendly – Easy to prepare in advance and reheat when needed.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened and divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Lightly flour a work surface and roll out each crescent roll sheet to a 12″ x 16″ rectangle.
- If using regular crescent rolls, pinch the seams together to form a solid sheet.
Step 2: Add Butter and Cinnamon Sugar
- Brush 3 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each dough sheet.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over each dough sheet.
- Press the sugar into the dough lightly using the back of a spoon or your hand.
Step 3: Shape the Cruffins
- Roll the dough into a tight log from the long edge.
- Cut each log in half, creating two shorter logs.
- Slice each log in half lengthwise, exposing the cinnamon layers.
- Repeat with all dough sheets, creating 12 sections total.
Step 4: Form the Cruffins
- Take one dough section, with the layered side facing out, and wrap it around your finger into a spiral.
- Gently tuck the end into the top and place it in the muffin tin.
- Repeat with the remaining sections.
Step 5: Bake and Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- While still warm, roll each cruffin in the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 cruffins
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Cream Cheese Filling – Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese before rolling up the dough.
- Chocolate Cruffins – Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or spread Nutella inside.
- Caramel Drizzle – Drizzle with warm caramel sauce before serving.
- Glazed Cruffins – Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for a simple glaze.
- Pecan or Walnut Crunch – Sprinkle chopped nuts inside for added texture.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration – Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing – Freeze cruffins in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Reheating – Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds.
FAQs
Can I make cruffins ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble them the night before, store them in the fridge, and bake them fresh in the morning.
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Yes! Puff pastry will give an even flakier and more buttery texture.
Why didn’t my cruffins rise properly?
Make sure your oven is fully preheated, and don’t overwork the dough.
How do I prevent them from sticking to the muffin tin?
Use non-stick spray or line with parchment strips for easy removal.
Can I add fruit to the filling?
Yes! Diced apples, berries, or raisins work well inside the layers.
How do I get a more caramelized cinnamon sugar coating?
Brush the warm cruffins with melted butter before rolling in cinnamon sugar.
Can I bake these in a mini muffin tin?
Yes! Just reduce the baking time to 12-15 minutes.
What’s the best way to serve cruffins?
They’re delicious on their own, with coffee, or with a side of whipped cream.
How do I keep them soft and fresh?
Store in an airtight container and reheat slightly before serving.
Can I add a glaze instead of rolling in cinnamon sugar?
Yes! A vanilla or maple glaze is a great alternative.
Conclusion
These Easy Cinnamon Cruffins are flaky, buttery, and packed with cinnamon sugar goodness! They’re quick to make using store-bought crescent roll dough, making them perfect for a breakfast treat, brunch, or holiday gathering. With endless variations and a simple process, this is a must-try recipe for any pastry lover. Try them today and enjoy the sweet, flaky layers of homemade cruffins!
Print
Quick & Flaky Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cinnamon Cruffins are a flaky, buttery, and cinnamon-sugar-coated delight—made effortlessly with crescent roll dough! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, these cruffins come together in just 40 minutes and taste like a cross between a croissant and a cinnamon roll.
Ingredients
- 3 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 6 tbsp butter, softened and divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prep the Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a standard muffin pan with cooking spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each tube of crescent roll dough into a 12” x 16” rectangle. (If using regular crescent rolls, pinch the seams together.)
2. Add Butter & Cinnamon-Sugar
- Brush 3 tbsp softened butter evenly over each sheet of dough.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of cinnamon-sugar mixture over each sheet of dough.
- Gently press the sugar into the dough with the back of a spoon or your hand.
3. Roll & Cut the Dough
- Tightly roll each dough sheet into a log from the long side.
- Cut each log in half crosswise, creating two shorter logs.
- Cut each shorter log lengthwise, making four sections per dough sheet.
- Repeat for the remaining dough, creating 12 sections total.
4. Shape the Cruffins
- Take one section at a time, with the layered side facing out, and roll it loosely around your finger into a spiral shape.
- Carefully slide the dough off your finger and tuck the end piece into the top to create a round shape.
- Place each rolled cruffin into the prepared muffin tin.
5. Bake & Coat with Cinnamon-Sugar
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- While still warm, roll each cruffin in the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture for an extra sweet coating.
Notes
- Extra Buttery: Brush warm cruffins with melted butter before rolling in cinnamon sugar for a richer flavor.
- Filling Variation: Add a layer of brown sugar and chopped pecans for a nutty twist!
- Storage: Store at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cruffins for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven before serving.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *