This easy cinnamon cardamom cruffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture. These decadent flaky pastries will remind you of a cinnamon roll and a churro all at once, and will be a perfect addition to your coffee break.

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

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Are you familiar with hybrid recipes? A few years ago, the French chef Dominique Ansel created the “cronut”, a cross between a croissant and a donut. The “cruffin” is based on the same principle but is essentially a croissant/muffin crossover. I’ve known them for a while, but did not tried them until recently. I got hooked at first bite.

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

The recipe I am sharing with you today is a simplified version of a cruffin, since I replaced the croissant dough with puff pastry to make it more accessible. I also played with cinnamon and cardamom to make this flaky pastry subtle and delicate in flavors. The recipe comes together very easily in just a few steps, for a result surprisingly close to the original version.

What is cruffin?

A cruffin is a combination of a croissant and a muffin (“cr” stands for “croissant” and “uffin” for “muffin”). It consists of a croissant dough rolled up on itself and baked in a muffin pan. It was first created by chef Kate Reid in Melbourne in 2013, and then popularized and trademarked in San Francisco a year later and has now become a worldwide trend.

This easy cruffin recipe is a twist to the original recipe. The croissant dough is replaced with a simple puff pastry, filled with a generous cinnamon filling, and coated in a cardamom sugar mixture. The result will remind you of a churro and a cinnamon roll all in one bite. Just irresistible!

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

How to make cruffins with puff pastry?

Cruffins with puff pastry are quick and easy to assemble. You can go for a baker quality ready-to-use puff pastry (previously frozen is fine) or go the extra mile following this homemade puff pastry recipe.

  1. Start with making the cinnamon filling with softened butter, sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Roll out the puff pastry in large rectangle and spread the cinnamon filling over.
  3. Fold the shorter side of the rectangle dough over itself, and cut into large, long strips.
  4. Roll each strip tightly into a spiral, wrapping the end over the top and then securing it underneath (see pictures). Transfer each roll into a muffin tin and bake.
  5. Brush the warm cruffins with melted butter and coat in the cardamom-sugar mixture. And voilà!

Cruffins: tips for success

  • Always work with a chilled puff pastry dough. If the dough warms up at any time during the process, place it in the refrigerator to chill for 5-10 minutes or more, as needed.
  • Do not overfill the dough with the cinnamon filling. It should be spread in an even, thin layer. If there is too much of the filling, it will spread out while baking resulting in a messy cruffin.
  • Roll out the cruffin dough tightly on itself and tuck the end of the dough underneath before placing it in the muffin pan. This will prevent the end of the dough to pop out while baking.
  • Coat the warm cruffins with the cardamom-sugar mixture as soon as possible after baking. The warmer the cruffin, the better the sugar will melt and stick to it.

Topping idea: go the extra mile!

I love the cruffins garnished with the cinnamon filling and coated in cardamom and sugar. But if you want to go the extra mile, I recommend topping them (once baked and cooled) with a dollop of cream cheese flavored with vanilla or cardamom, or why not with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Another option consists of eating your cruffins like you would eat churros, dipped in a warm chocolate sauce. Amazing!

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

A warm drink to serve with your cruffins:

Light, flaky, and loaded warm spices, cruffins are the perfect little sweet treat to indulge around a cup of coffee, a hot chocolate or any other warm drinks. Find below my favorite ones to serve along with your cruffin:

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

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This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

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Easy Cinnamon Cardamom Cruffins

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.
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  • Author: Delphine Fortin
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings 1x
  • Category: Desserts
  • Diet: Vegetarian

This easy cinnamon cardamom cruffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.

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We’ll send it straight to your inbox, along with weekly food inspiration!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 store-bought or homemade puff pastry (approx. 17.6 ounces/500g)
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 4 Tablespoons (50g) white sugar, divided
  • 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly ground cardamom

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large muffin pan with liners (alternatively, coat the muffin pan directly with melted butter and flour). Set aside.
  2. For the cinnamon filling, combine the softened butter with 2 Tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. Roll out the puff pastry in large rectangle, and spread out the cinnamon filling all over in a thin, even layer (do not overfill). Then, fold the shorter side of the rectangle dough over itself, and cut into 1.2-inch (3 cm) strips, using a sharp knife.
  4. Using your fingers, roll each strip into a spiral, wrapping the end over the top and then securing it underneath (see pictures above).
  5. Place each roll into a muffin tin and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. When cruffins are ready, remove carefully from the pan using a butter knife.
  6. Mix sugar and freshly ground cardamom in a shallow plate. Brush the warm cruffins lightly with melted butter and coat in the cardamom-sugar mixture immediately or almost (do not burn yourself). Enjoy!
Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Fall, Mardi Gras, Snacks, Winter

Did you make this recipe?

Lastly, if you make this Easy Cinnamon Cardamom Cruffins, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!

This easy cinnamon cardamom muffins recipe is a cross between a croissant and a muffin. In this easy version, the croissant dough is replaced with puff pastry, filled with cinnamon and coated in a cardamon-sugar mixture.