Imagine the joyous union of tender, flaky pastry and the bold flavors of a churro, all swirled together into a muffin-shaped delight—that’s exactly what you experience with Churro Cruffins. Each bite is a carnival of creamy filling (if you wish), buttery layers, and a sparkle of cinnamon sugar, making these cruffins unbelievably addictive and perfect for an anytime treat. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, sweetening a coffee break, or just want to try something magical, Churro Cruffins are ready to win hearts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Melted Butter:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Cinnamon Sugar Mix:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Filling:
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche or Nutella
How to Make Churro Cruffins
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Cinnamon Sugar
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), and take a moment to grease your standard muffin tin generously. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon until the mixture is completely uniform—this is the magical blend that will give your Churro Cruffins a sweet, spiced edge both inside and out.
Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Unroll your thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. Brush the entire surface with your melted butter (don’t miss the edges!). If you’re adding a filling like dulce de leche or Nutella, gently spread a thin layer over the buttered pastry with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
Step 3: Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle
Evenly sprinkle half of your cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface of the pastry. Pat it down lightly with your palm so it adheres to the butter and filling, infusing the layers with that classic churro vibe.
Step 4: Rolling and Shaping
Starting on the long edge of the pastry sheet, firmly roll it up into a tight log. With a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise right down the center—this shows off all those beautiful layers. Now, gently twist each long half to enhance the spiraled effect, and then coil each piece into a loose spiral, tucking the ends underneath. Place each spiral in a muffin cup, cut side up, so you’ll get crispy, golden tops.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the Churro Cruffins are magnificently puffed with a deep golden hue. Remove the tin from the oven and, while the cruffins are still sizzling hot, roll or dust them generously in the remaining cinnamon sugar for that signature churro finish.
How to Serve Churro Cruffins
Garnishes
For a touch of extra pizzazz, add a drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the warm Churro Cruffins. You can also dust with a little powdered sugar for café-style elegance or top with a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling festive.
Side Dishes
Pair your cruffins with a fresh fruit salad, tangy berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate dessert decadence. For breakfast, they’re pure joy alongside strong coffee, café con leche, or a spicy hot chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Churro Cruffins on a cake stand for brunch, stack them in a tower for a party centerpiece, or wrap them individually in parchment for an adorable grab-and-go treat. Hosting a DIY bar with small bowls of dip (think dulce de leche, raspberry sauce, or even lemon curd) is a fun way to let everyone customize their own cruffin.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cool, store any leftover Churro Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps maintain their buttery crispness, though best texture is always day-of.
Freezing
The good news is Churro Cruffins freeze well! Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to one month, and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To recapture that bakery-fresh flavor, warm Churro Cruffins in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5–7 minutes. This brings back the exterior crunch while gently heating the inside (and makes your kitchen smell divine all over again).
FAQs
Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry will make your Churro Cruffins even more impressive, though store-bought is a wonderful shortcut that still delivers flaky, irresistible results.
Do I have to use a filling?
Nope! The Churro Cruffins are fantastic as-is with just butter, cinnamon, and sugar. But if you’re after a gooey center, feel free to try dulce de leche, Nutella, cream cheese, or even a fruity jam.
Why do my cruffins stick to the pan?
It could be a matter of not greasing the muffin tin well enough, or perhaps some sugary filling oozed out. Run a butter knife around the edges while still slightly warm for easy release, and next time, use a little extra butter or a paper liner.
Can Churro Cruffins be made vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan puff pastry and swap in melted coconut oil or a vegan butter for the brush-on butter. Just check your filling choice to keep it vegan-friendly.
What’s the best way to serve them warm?
Serve Churro Cruffins hot out of the oven after their cinnamon sugar roll, or reheat as described above. They’re at their absolute best when slightly warm, with all the sugar melting just a bit on your fingers!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something ridiculously comforting and satisfying about baking up a batch of Churro Cruffins—especially when you get that first whiff of cinnamon sugar in the air. If you haven’t tried making these at home yet, dive in and treat yourself to a truly special bake. They’re easy to master, but unforgettable to share.
Print
Churro Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 cruffins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of churros and muffins with these irresistible Churro Cruffins. These flaky pastries are rolled in cinnamon sugar and can be filled with your favorite spreads for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Melted Butter:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Cinnamon Sugar Mix:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Filling:
- 1/4 cup dulce de leche or Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin tin.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry, brush with butter, add filling if desired, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Roll and Shape: Roll pastry into a log, cut lengthwise, twist each half into a spiral, tuck ends underneath, and place in muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Roll hot cruffins in remaining cinnamon sugar.
- Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, cool cruffins slightly before removing from pan.
- Fill with cream cheese, fruit preserves, or enjoy plain.
- Best consumed on the day of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
