If you’re looking to wow your friends and family with a warm, comforting treat that feels both indulgent and approachable, this Apple Butter Cruffins Recipe is your new go-to. Imagine the perfect marriage of a croissant’s flaky layers with a muffin’s cozy shape, all enveloped in a luscious apple butter filling that fills your kitchen with the most inviting aroma. Each bite offers a heavenly mix of crisp, soft, and sweet that feels like a warm hug on a plate — a real crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to pull off!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are refreshingly simple yet essential for creating the magic of Apple Butter Cruffins. Each component brings a unique contribution, whether it’s the tender, flaky texture of the dough or the spicy-sweet finish from the cinnamon sugar topping.
- 3 tubes crescent roll sheets (8 oz each, seams sealed if perforated, about 24 oz total dough): This ready-to-use dough is your shortcut to flaky layers without the fuss of making pastry from scratch.
- 1 ½ cups apple butter (divided, about 360 g total): Provides the rich, fruity essence and moist filling that makes every bite memorable.
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for topping, about 100 g): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create that delightful crunchy cinnamon coating.
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping): Infuses warmth and spice, perfectly complementing the apple butter and rounding out the flavor profile.
How to Make Apple Butter Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin. This sets the stage for perfectly shaped cruffins that will release easily after baking.
Step 2: Roll and Spread
On a lightly floured surface, take each tube of crescent roll dough and roll it out into a 12 by 16-inch rectangle. If the dough has perforations, make sure to seal the seams so it behaves like one solid sheet. Then, generously spread about half a cup of apple butter evenly over each sheet. This layer ensures every bite bursts with that luscious apple flavor.
Step 3: Log and Cut
Roll each dough sheet tightly from the long side into a log shape, creating beautiful spiral layers that will become the signature flaky texture of your cruffins. Cut each log in half, then cut each half lengthwise again to make four long strips per tube. This yields a total of 12 pieces, perfectly portioned for your muffin tin.
Step 4: Shape and Place
With the layered edges facing outward, roll each strip into a spiral reminiscent of a cinnamon roll. Tuck the end underneath so it holds together during baking and gently place each spiraled piece into the prepared muffin cups, ready to puff up and turn golden.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 22 to 24 minutes until the cruffins turn a gorgeous golden brown and the kitchen fills with that irresistible aroma. Watch closely near the end to avoid over-baking while still achieving a crispy exterior and soft, buttery layers inside.
Step 6: Sugar-Cinnamon Coating
While your cruffins are baking, whisk the granulated sugar and cinnamon together. As soon as the cruffins come out of the oven, roll them in this cinnamon sugar mixture to coat each one thoroughly. This final touch adds a crackly, sweet spice layer that is pure perfection.
How to Serve Apple Butter Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
Serving these cruffins with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce will take them from delightful to extraordinary. Fresh apple slices on the side add a crisp, juicy contrast that enhances the apple butter’s depth.
Side Dishes
These cruffins pair beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea or a robust coffee to complement the cinnamon and buttery dough. If serving brunch, include a side of scrambled eggs or smoked bacon to balance the sweet with savory.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging the cruffins in a bakery-style tower on a decorative stand or nestling them in a rustic basket lined with a cozy linen napkin for a charming homemade vibe. For a crowd, offer small jars of apple butter for extra dipping fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Apple Butter Cruffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keeping them sealed prevents the layers from drying out while preserving that delightful flakiness.
Freezing
If you’d like to enjoy these cruffins later, freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to one month and still taste fresh once reheated.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth and crispness, reheat the cruffins in a 325 °F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the layers soggy.
FAQs
What makes a cruffin different from a muffin or croissant?
A cruffin combines the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant with the shape and portion size of a muffin, creating the best of both worlds in one delicious handheld pastry.
Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry will create an even flakier, more buttery cruffin, but crescent roll dough is a fantastic shortcut that still delivers wonderful results.
Is apple butter the same as apple sauce?
Not quite. Apple butter is thicker and more concentrated than apple sauce, often cooked longer with spices to bring out a richer flavor, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make vegan cruffins, select crescent roll dough that is dairy and egg-free, and use a vegan apple butter substitute. The topping of cinnamon and sugar is naturally vegan-friendly!
How can I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling?
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking, but avoid adding too much flour which could make the dough tough.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Apple Butter Cruffins Recipe that brings joy to any table, whether you’re serving them for a cozy weekend breakfast or a festive gathering with friends. The combination of buttery, flaky dough with rich, spiced apple butter and a cinnamon sugar crust is nothing short of magical. I can’t recommend enough that you try making these soon — you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly this recipe comes together and how quickly it disappears once you share it with others!
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Apple Butter Cruffins Recipe
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
Description
These Apple Butter Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, featuring flaky crescent roll dough layered with sweet apple butter and rolled into spirals. Baked until golden and coated in a cinnamon-sugar topping, these cruffins offer a warm, comforting treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 3 tubes crescent roll sheets (8 oz each, seams sealed if perforated; approximately 24 oz total dough)
- 1 ½ cups apple butter (divided, about 360 g total; spread evenly over dough)
Topping
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for topping, about 100 g)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping, used to coat warm cruffins)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly spray or grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Spread Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll or press each tube of crescent roll dough into roughly 12×16-inch rectangles. If the dough is perforated, seal the seams to create a continuous sheet. Evenly spread about ½ cup of apple butter over each rectangle.
- Roll into Logs and Cut: Starting from the longer side, tightly roll up each dough sheet into a log. Cut each log in half, then cut each half lengthwise again to create four equal sections per sheet, totaling 12 pieces altogether.
- Shape and Arrange: With the layered sides facing outward, roll each section into a spiral shape resembling a cinnamon roll. Tuck the loose end underneath for a neat appearance. Place each spiral into the prepared muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 24 minutes, or until the cruffins are beautifully golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare Topping and Coat: While baking, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Once the cruffins come out of the oven and are still warm, immediately roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the coated cruffins cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Sealing seams on perforated dough ensures the apple butter doesn’t leak during rolling and baking.
- Use a light dusting of flour while rolling to prevent sticking but avoid adding too much.
- Roll tight logs to maintain distinct layers and shape.
- If you prefer, use homemade or your favorite brand of apple butter for a personalized touch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving to restore softness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
