Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough?

Absolutely! Puff pastry will give you an even flakier result, though the technique will be slightly different. You won't need to worry about perforations, but you should still create two layers with cinnamon sugar in between. The baking time might need to be adjusted, so keep an eye on them.

My cruffins didn't puff up as much as expected. What went wrong?

This could happen if the dough was overworked or if your oven wasn't hot enough when you put them in. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and try handling the dough as little as possible next time. Also check that your crescent dough wasn't past its expiration date.

Can I make these with a gluten-free crescent roll dough?

Yes, if you can find a gluten-free crescent roll dough, you can substitute it directly in this recipe. The texture might be slightly different, but the technique remains the same. You might need to adjust baking time slightly.

How do I know when the cruffins are done baking?

The cruffins should be visibly golden brown on top and feel firm to the touch. If you're unsure, you can gently lift one cruffin – the bottom should also look golden, not pale or doughy. If they're browning too quickly but still seem doughy, cover loosely with foil for the remaining bake time.

Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins Recipe

Name: Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans crescent roll dough; 2 Tbsp butter, melted; 2 Tbsp sugar; 1 Tbsp light brown sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 2-3 Tbsp flour, for rolling

These delightful Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins bring together the flaky layers of a croissant with the sweet, swirly goodness of a cinnamon roll! They’re surprisingly simple to make with store-bought ingredients, yet they look and taste like something from a fancy bakery. Perfect for brightening up your morning or serving as a special weekend treat, these cruffins come together in under an hour with minimal effort but maximum wow-factor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Advanced Baking Skills Required: Using pre-made crescent dough means anyone can create these impressive-looking pastries no professional baking experience needed!
Quick Satisfaction: When you’re craving something sweet and fresh from the oven but don’t have hours to spend making from scratch, these cruffins are your answer.
Crowd-Pleaser: Watch everyone’s eyes light up when you bring these to the table! The combination of flaky layers and cinnamon sugar is universally adored.
Adaptable: Easy to customize with different fillings or toppings depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Crescent Roll Dough: The shortcut that makes this recipe so accessible! This pre-made dough gives you those lovely flaky layers without any of the work.
Butter: Creates that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and helps the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to every bite. Unsalted is best, but salted works in a pinch.
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar provides the classic sweetness that makes these treats irresistible.
Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like flavor dimension that regular sugar alone can’t provide. The molasses content adds moisture too!
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives these cruffins their distinctive warm, aromatic character. Make sure yours is fresh for the best flavor.
Flour: Just a small amount for rolling out the dough without it sticking to your work surface. All-purpose is perfect.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Flavor Twists

Orange Zest Infusion: Add some orange zest to your cinnamon sugar mixture for a bright, citrusy note.
Nutmeg Boost: A quarter teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg takes the spice profile to another level.
Cardamom Cruffins: Replace half the cinnamon with ground cardamom for a Scandinavian-inspired treat.

Filling Ideas

Cream Cheese Surprise: Add a small dollop of cream cheese filling before rolling up each strip.
Chocolate Lover’s Version: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips along with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Apple Pie Cruffins: Add finely diced apples tossed in a bit of cinnamon sugar between the layers.

Topping Options

Simple Glaze: Drizzle with a mixture of powdered sugar and milk after baking.
Maple Frosting: Top with maple-flavored icing for an extra special treat.
Nutty Finish: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a muffin tin. Make sure you have a clean, lightly floured surface ready for rolling out your dough.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Open both cans of crescent roll dough and carefully roll them out on your floured surface. Gently press the perforations to seal them completely, creating two solid sheets of dough.

Step 3: Create the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well mixed. This magical blend will transform your dough into something spectacular!

Step 4: Layer the Flavors

Brush one sheet of dough lightly with melted butter, being careful not to soak it. Sprinkle half of your cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the buttered surface, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 5: Stack and Slice

Place the second sheet of dough directly on top of the first, creating a sandwich. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the layered dough into long strips about 1-inch wide.

Step 6: Roll Into Cruffins

Starting at one end, roll each strip into a spiral shape, similar to how you’d make a cinnamon roll but slightly looser to maintain those distinct layers.

Step 7: Final Sugar Coating

Dip each rolled cruffin into the remaining melted butter and then roll it in the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture for that irresistible sweet coating.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place each sugar-coated roll into your prepared muffin tin. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up and turned a beautiful golden brown color.

Step 9: Cool Slightly

Let the cruffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before removing. This brief cooling period helps them set up properly and prevents burnt fingers!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Dough Cold: Work quickly with the crescent dough as it becomes harder to handle when it warms up. If it gets too sticky, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
Even Thickness: When rolling out the dough, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even baking.
Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to load up on cinnamon sugar, but too much can leak out during baking and create a sticky situation in your muffin tin.
Proper Sealing: Make sure to completely seal the perforations in the crescent dough to prevent the filling from leaking out.
Watch Carefully: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cruffins as they bake – they can go from perfectly golden to overdone quickly.
Twist Technique: For an even more impressive look, give each strip a gentle twist before rolling it up into a cruffin shape.

How to Serve

Breakfast or Brunch Star

Serve warm cruffins alongside fresh fruit and hot coffee for a memorable morning treat. They’re perfect for weekend brunches when you want something special but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Dessert Transformation

Turn these into a dessert by serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast of cold ice cream with warm, cinnamon-spiced pastry is heavenly!

Tea Time Treat

Pair with your favorite tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. Earl Grey or Chai tea complements the cinnamon flavor beautifully.

Holiday Morning Special

These make a wonderful Christmas or holiday morning treat that feels special but won’t keep you in the kitchen while everyone else is opening presents.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best taste and texture, I recommend enjoying them the same day they’re baked.

Freezing

You can freeze fully baked and cooled cruffins for up to 1 month. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.

Reheating

To enjoy a frozen or leftover cruffin, reheat in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through. You can also use a microwave for 15-20 seconds, though you’ll lose some of the crispness.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the cruffins up to the point of baking, then refrigerate them (in the muffin tin, covered with plastic wrap) for up to 12 hours before baking. Let them come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking as directed.

FAQs

Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough?

Absolutely! Puff pastry will give you an even flakier result, though the technique will be slightly different. You won’t need to worry about perforations, but you should still create two layers with cinnamon sugar in between. The baking time might need to be adjusted, so keep an eye on them.
My cruffins didn’t puff up as much as expected. What went wrong?

This could happen if the dough was overworked or if your oven wasn’t hot enough when you put them in. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and try handling the dough as little as possible next time. Also check that your crescent dough wasn’t past its expiration date.
Can I make these with a gluten-free crescent roll dough?

Yes, if you can find a gluten-free crescent roll dough, you can substitute it directly in this recipe. The texture might be slightly different, but the technique remains the same. You might need to adjust baking time slightly.
How do I know when the cruffins are done baking?

The cruffins should be visibly golden brown on top and feel firm to the touch. If you’re unsure, you can gently lift one cruffin – the bottom should also look golden, not pale or doughy. If they’re browning too quickly but still seem doughy, cover loosely with foil for the remaining bake time.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins truly represent the best of both worlds – impressive bakery-style results with minimal effort. I love recipes that give you that perfect balance of simplicity and wow-factor, and these cruffins definitely deliver! Whether you’re baking them for a special breakfast, weekend treat, or just because you deserve something delicious, they’re sure to bring smiles all around. The aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting through your home as they bake is reason enough to whip up a batch. So grab those ingredients, turn on your oven, and treat yourself to these delightful pastries today!