Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (2024)

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This Cruffin recipe is a vegan version of a famous Croissant Muffin - a beautiful and delicious sweet pastry. Unlike a traditional Cruffin that features homemade laminated dough, my Cruffin is made with yeast which makes the whole process so much easier.

Also, try my Banana Chocolate Muffins and Chocolate Cruffins - the same great dessert loaded with chocolate ganache.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (1)

Cruffin

It took me and my mom a few shots to perfect this Cruffin recipe, but the result was so worth it.

Now imagine this: soft and flavorful yeast dough that is filled with raisins, shaped into a muffin, baked, and then topped with chopped walnuts, drizzled with melted chocolate, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Sounds good, isn't it? Let me assure you - it really is delicious!

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And given the fact that these Cruffins are prepared with vegan ingredients, it makes them a little bit healthier.

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What is Cruffin pastry?

If you love croissants and muffins, let me introduce you to the simplified version of them - Cruffins.

Originally created in 2013 in Australia for a local pastry shop, this beautiful dessert then obtained its widespread popularity when was trademarked by Mr. Holmes Bakehouse from San Francisco.

Typically, Cruffins are made with the laminated dough which is a sophisticated term for puff pastry.

Making puff pastry is a whole different story and is not a very quick thing to do.

Enter sweet yeast dough- easy to make with pantry ingredients and no need to laminate.

In addition, Croissant Muffins are always filled with something sweet. More on that later.

These Vegan Cruffins are great for breakfast, dessert, or even a special occasion.

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Ingredients

The wonderful part about this Cruffin recipe is that you can make them with pantry ingredients. Here's what you need:

  • almond milk
  • active dry yeast
  • apple sauce
  • olive oil
  • Maple syrup
  • all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • raisins
  • chocolate chips - I love using Hu Chocolate Gems. They're the only plant-based chocolate "chips" that I recommend. Sugar-free, Oil-free, and Soy-free. Enter the code IRYNA15 for 15% off on all Hu Kitchen products.
  • chopped walnuts
  • powdered sugar

If you're trying to limit refined sugar, feel free to omit powdered sugar. It is used only for decoration and is not an essential ingredient.

Instructions

1. Proof the yeast

In a large bowl combine warm (105-115 F) almond milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

2. Combine milk-yeast and remaining liquid ingredients

Whisk in apple sauce, olive oil, and Maple syrup in a bowl with milk and yeast.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients

In another large bowl mix together flour and salt and stir in wet ingredients. Knead the dough by hand until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with the dough with a clean kitchen towel and place the bowl in a warm place until it doubles in size. This should take about 40-60 minutes.

4. Divide the dough and roll it out

After your dough has doubled, divide it into 6 even size balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a rectangle (or oval) approximately 5 by 15 inches long. Brush the rectangle with some olive oil and sprinkle a handful of raisins on top. Starting from the short end, roll the dough into a log. Now, roll out the log until it's about 10 inches long.

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5. Shape the log into a Cruffin

Now, comes the easy part. Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise into 2 smaller logs. Roll each log into a spiral and place it into a muffin cavity. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.

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6. Let the dough rest and bake

After you fill out all muffin cavities, let the unbaked Cruffins rest in a warm place for 30 minutes. After that, bake in a preheated 395 F oven for 20 minutes.

Immediately, remove Cruffins on a cooling rack and let them cool for 15 minutes. Finally, drizzle Cruffins with melted chocolate, sprinkle with some chopped walnuts, and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (7) How to store Croissant Muffins?

These delicious treats will keep well on a counter for 1 or 2 days.

You can also freeze them. Just wrap them up tightly in a parchment paper or freezer-friendly bag and store them in a freezer for up to 1 month.

Recipe Variation

Raisins. If you don't have them, you can fill these Cruffins with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or ever unsweetend dried cherries, yum! Use a minimum of 2 tablespoons per piece of dough. The more filling - the juicer Cruffin will be.

Olive oil.I also tried this recipe with almond butter and coconut cream.

Despite that, the olive oil version was the most flavorful, almond butter or coconut cream are decent substitutes as well. I imagine, using a fruit jam as the main spread will also be delicious.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (8)

Recipe

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (9)

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffin Recipe}

This Cruffin recipe is a vegan version of a famous Croissant Muffin - beautiful and delicious sweet pastry. Unlike a traditional Cruffin that features homemade laminated dough, my Cruffin is made with yeast which makes the whole process so much easier.

4.58 from 19 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Croissant Muffins

Calories: 489kcal

Author: Iryna Bychkiv

Ingredients

Instructions

Proof the yeast

  • In a large bowl combine warm (105-115 F) ½ c + 1 tablespoon of almond milk and active dry yeast. Let is sit for 10 minutes. (I always use food thermometer to check the temperature).

Combine milk-yeast mixture and the remaining liquid ingredients

  • To a bowl with yeast whisk in apple sauce, ½ cup + 1 tablespoon of olive oil and Maple syrup.

Combine wet and dry ingredients

  • In another large bowl mix together flour and salt and stir in wet ingredients. Knead the dough by hands until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a dough with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 40 to 60 minutes.

Divide the dough and roll it out

  • Divide the dough into 6 even size balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a rectangle (or oval) approximately 5 by 15 inches long. Brush the rectangle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil (at this point you have 4 remaining tablespoon of olive oil) and sprinkle 2 tablespoon of raisins on top. Starting from the short end, roll the dough into a log. Now, roll out the log until it's about 10 in long.

Shape the log into a Cruffin

  • Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise into 2 smaller logs. Roll each log into a spiral and place into a muffin cavity. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough. Note 1

Let the dough rest and bake

  • Preheat the oven to 395 F. After you fill out all muffin cavities, let the unbaked Cruffins rest in a warm place for 30 minutes. After that, bake Cruffins for 20 minutes. Remove Cruffins on a cooling rack and let them cool for 15 minutes.

Prepare the "topping"

  • Place chocolate chips and the remaining 1 tablespoon of almond milk in a small bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds and whisk until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Using a fork or a pastry bag fitted with a thin tip #1, drizzle melted chocolate over Cruffins. Top with chopped walnuts and dust with a powdered sugar.

Video

Notes

Note 1

If you have a silicone muffin tin, there's no need to grease it. If you have a steel non-stick muffin tin, I recommend greasing it.

Nutrition

Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 56.2g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 28.5g | Saturated Fat: 6.6g | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 21.3g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (10)
Iryna Bychkiv

Website

Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Cronut and a Cruffin? ›

The cronut, a croissant-doughnut hybrid, was one of the first viral cakes. Since cruffins (croissant-muffins) turned up in supermarkets, high street chains and my local coffee shops, I'm more likely to find one of these gargantuan dough sculptures than an ordinary croissant after 10am.

What is the difference between brioche and croissant? ›

Brioche is more similar to a thick loaf of bread and is not as flaky or buttery as a croissant. Brioche dough does not contain as much butter as croissants, but it has more sugar and contains eggs, which contributes to the denser texture of brioche.

What's the difference between crescent rolls and croissants? ›

To put it simply, crescent rolls are bread, whereas croissants are pastries. While both recipes result in light, fluffy, and buttery sweet treats, the ingredient lists are noticeably different. For example, croissants typically have milk and substantially more butter, whereas crescent rolls usually have more sugar.

What is Cruffin made of? ›

A cruffin (sometimes spelled croffin) is a hybrid of a croissant and a muffin. The pastry is made by proofing (also called proving) and baking laminated dough in a muffin mould. The cruffin is then filled with a variety of creams, jams, crème pâtissières or curds, and then garnished.

Why does it take 3 days to make a Cronut? ›

The official Cronut takes three days to make, thanks in part to the laminated dough. This is rolled together with a block of chilled butter to form layers, and needs a lengthy rest in the fridge.

What are honeymooners donuts? ›

Our honeymooners are made from our donut dough and topped with a generous spoonful of our fruity pie fillings and surrounded by vanilla icing. CHERRY. APPLE. LEMON.

Why is brioche unhealthy? ›

However, due to the higher butter content in brioche, brioche contains more fat and more calories than other kinds of bread. Unfortunately, the fat content comes mainly from saturated fats, which should be limited to 5% to 6% of a person's daily caloric intake, according to the American Heart Association.

What is a croissant called in Italy? ›

A cornetto (Italian: [korˈnetto]; meaning 'little horn') is historically the Italian name of a product similar to the Austrian kipferl, though today it is an interchangeable name for the French croissant.

Do Italians call croissants brioche? ›

Usually, Italians have a small pastry “croissant” with coffee. And in Rome, this is called a “cornetto,” which means a little cone. But the rest of Italy generally calls a croissant a “brioche.” This way, you'll at least sound like you've got some regional terms under your belt.

Is croissant dough just puff pastry? ›

While both puff pastry and croissant doughs are laminated, puff pastry does not include yeast and croissant dough does. The yeast gives the dough an even lighter texture. Croissant doughs also contain more sugar than puff pastry.

Can you use Pillsbury crescent rolls instead of puff pastry? ›

Lucky for you, easy-bake crescents stand in for traditional puff pastry. It's a classic dessert with convenience!

Why are Pillsbury crescent rolls so good? ›

The spongy dough, the prefabricated demarcations for separating each piece into its own obtuse triangle, the saccharine smell as they bake off, puffing up higher and higher until the layers finally congeal and toast to the perfect golden color.

Why are croissants not vegan? ›

Traditionally, no – croissants aren't vegan because large quantities of dairy-based butter are used during their production; in the pastry and added in layers for lamination. However, it is possible to buy or make your own plant-based croissants that are delicious.

How do you store Cruffins overnight? ›

For overnight Cruffins: Prepare the cruffins, but do not let them rise at room temperature. Instead, cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 and up to 18 hours.

Who invented Cruffins? ›

Origin. The cruffin is a pastry creation originally created by Lune Croissanterie in Melbourne, Australia in July 2013. In the US the cruffin was popularised by Australian pastry chef Ry Stephen and co-owner Aaron Caddel of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in November 2014.

What is another name for a Cronut? ›

After the release of the Cronut, similar products have sprung up throughout the world including some with different names such as the Kelownut, Doughssant, Crullant, zonut, and others.

Is a Cronut just a croissant? ›

What exactly is a cronut? Simply enough, "it's part croissant and part doughnut," explains Hugh Merwin at Grub Street. But the process of making one isn't. It is extremely difficult to take croissant pastry dough and fry it like a doughnut.

What does a cruffin taste like? ›

What Does a Cruffin Taste Like? A cruffin tastes like everything you love and adore in a croissant, a cinnamon roll, and a muffin, all in one. The process to make them from scratch may be time consuming, but after that first bite it is all worth it.

What is the difference between a Cronut and a donut? ›

A crodough, also known as a Cronut, combines the best aspects of a croissant and a doughnut. They share the same shape as a doughnut, but instead of their typical doughy texture, they have a crispy exterior and are soft and airy on the inside.

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