Churro Cruffins Recipe
If you’re ready to shake up your brunch game or simply spoil yourself with a bakery-style treat at home, you have to try Churro Cruffins. Imagine the crisp, flaky layers of buttery puff pastry wrapped in a mesmerizing swirl, golden from the oven, then lavishly coated in cinnamon sugar — exactly what churros and croissants would create if they teamed up for dessert stardom! These cruffins are astonishingly easy to whip up, require no fancy equipment, and the result is absolute magic. Whether it’s a holiday morning, a coffee date with friends, or simply Tuesday, Churro Cruffins will put you in a celebratory mood with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Churro Cruffins is how they create bakery-level delight with just a handful of everyday ingredients. Each plays a vital role — from the puff pastry’s flaky drama to cinnamon’s warm aroma that makes every kitchen smell drool-worthy.
- Puff Pastry Sheets (1 package, 2 sheets): Make sure your pastry is thawed — it’s the shortcut to effortless, tender layers.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup for filling & 1/2 cup for coating): Adds that classic churro sweetness both inside and out.
- Ground Cinnamon (2 teaspoons for filling & 1 tablespoon for coating): Essential for that unmistakable churro flavor and warmth.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, melted): The rich swipe that helps cinnamon sugar stick and adds luscious flavor.
How to Make Churro Cruffins
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry and Filling
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin — non-stick spray or a bit of butter is your best friend here. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon to create the magical, fragrant filling that gives Churro Cruffins their signature taste.
Step 2: Roll, Sprinkle, and Spiral
On a lightly floured surface, unfold one sheet of thawed puff pastry and gently roll it out into a 12×12-inch square for uniform flakiness. Brush the entire surface with melted butter for that unforgettable richness, then sprinkle on half of your prepared cinnamon-sugar filling. Now, tightly roll the pastry into a log (much like making cinnamon rolls), slice it in half lengthwise so you reveal those beautiful layers, and twist each half into a loose spiral. Nestle each into a muffin cup, then repeat it all with your second pastry sheet.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Slide the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 25–28 minutes until your Churro Cruffins are puffed up, deeply golden, and your kitchen smells like pure bliss. While they bake, combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow bowl — this will be the dazzling final coat.
Step 4: Cinnamon-Sugar Finale
As soon as the cruffins come out of the oven, immediately and gently remove each one from the tin (a butter knife helps if any edges stick). Brush the hot cruffins all over with the remaining melted butter, then roll each one generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so every inch gets coated in sparkling sweetness.
Step 5: Indulge!
Serve these beauties while still warm, when the pastry is shatteringly crisp and the cinnamon-sugar coating practically melts in your mouth. And if you’re feeling fancy, you can pipe in some dulce de leche or pastry cream for an ultra-indulgent Churro Cruffins experience.
How to Serve Churro Cruffins
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar is always pretty, but a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a spoonful of dulce de leche takes Churro Cruffins totally over the top! For a simple touch, a thin curl of citrus zest adds freshness and color. Set out extra cinnamon sugar in a small bowl for dipping, too — it’s always a hit.
Side Dishes
Churro Cruffins are delicious as they are but pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, Mexican hot chocolate, or even a cozy chai latte. For brunch, serve them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or a platter of cheeses to balance the sweetness. They play well with both breakfast and dessert spreads!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a cake stand for a jaw-dropping centerpiece, or wrap each Churro Cruffin in parchment and twine for takeaway gifts. For parties, fill mini muffin tins instead and make bite-sized cruffins for a playful, poppable version. Display with little flags noting creative fillings or dipping sauces to delight your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you can’t finish all the Churro Cruffins in one sitting (power to you if you do!), keep any extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay nicely tender but will lose some crispness — a quick refresh brings them back.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can absolutely freeze Churro Cruffins after baking. Let them cool completely, then wrap each cruffin tightly in plastic wrap and pop into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep deliciously for up to two months. Simply thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To restore the just-baked magic, reheat Churro Cruffins in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 8–10 minutes or until warmed through. The heat revives their crisp exterior and gooey cinnamon-sugar coating — they’ll taste nearly as amazing as when fresh!
FAQs
Can I make Churro Cruffins with homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade puff pastry will work beautifully and might even make your cruffins lighter and flakier. Just follow the same instructions for rolling and shaping — homemade or store-bought, the results will be irresistible.
Can I fill Churro Cruffins with something extra?
Yes! Once Churro Cruffins are baked and cooled, use a piping bag to inject the center with dulce de leche, Nutella, pastry cream, or fruit preserves for a decadent surprise. The tender interior is perfect for holding all sorts of sweet fillings.
What’s the best way to keep Churro Cruffins crisp?
The key is to enjoy them as soon as possible after baking — that’s when the texture is at its peak! If storing, make sure they’re covered but not tightly sealed, so excess steam doesn’t soften them too much. A brisk reheat in the oven (not the microwave) brings back the irresistible crunch.
Can I make mini Churro Cruffins for parties?
Definitely! Simply cut the rolled pastry into more (smaller) strips and use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized Churro Cruffins. Reduce the bake time to about 12–15 minutes. They’ll make a playful, crowd-pleasing snack at any gathering.
Is there a dairy-free version of Churro Cruffins?
You can create dairy-free Churro Cruffins by using a vegan puff pastry (check the packaging), swapping in plant-based butter for the melted butter, and confirming your sugar is vegan. They turn out just as flaky and delicious, with all the same cinnamon-sugar joy!
Final Thoughts
If your kitchen is calling for something easy, fun, and downright crave-worthy, give Churro Cruffins a whirl. The process is as joyful as the first bite — and trust me, once you’ve tried them warm from the oven, you’ll find reasons to make them again and again. Happy baking!
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Churro Cruffins Recipe
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Churro Cruffins are a delightful fusion of churros and muffins, with flaky puff pastry rolled with cinnamon sugar, baked until golden, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. A delicious pastry treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a bowl for the filling.
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out puff pastry, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll into logs, cut, and place in muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake for 25–28 minutes until golden.
- Coat: Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon, brush baked cruffins with butter, and coat with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve: Enjoy warm.
Notes
- For a special touch, fill with dulce de leche or pastry cream after cooling.
- Best served fresh or reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
