If you love croissants and muffins, get ready to fall head over heels for the cruffin—a magical fusion of both. These Nutella Cruffins feature flaky layers of buttery croissant dough, wrapped around a luscious center of creamy Nutella. Every bite delivers the satisfying crunch of a croissant with the fun, handheld ease of a muffin. They’re indulgent, rich, and perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat. Making these cruffins from scratch may take a little time, but the payoff is worth it, especially when you get to experience that first warm bite with Nutella oozing out!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this recipe because it combines two of the best pastries into one irresistible treat. The delicate layers of croissant dough provide a light, airy texture, while the Nutella filling adds a deliciously rich and creamy contrast. This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy baking from scratch and want to experiment with something fun and indulgent. Plus, cruffins are just as fun to look at as they are to eat! Whether you're a fan of traditional French pastries or looking for a creative new recipe to try, these Nutella Cruffins will exceed your expectations.
Perfect Occasion:
Nutella Cruffins are the perfect treat for weekend brunches, special breakfasts, or even as an impressive dessert for guests. They’re great for when you want to show off your baking skills or simply indulge in a homemade pastry. These cruffins can also be packed up for picnics, as a snack for a road trip, or even as an after-school treat for the kids. Their elegant appearance makes them a beautiful addition to any breakfast spread or dessert table.
Decoration Tips:
For an extra-special presentation, dust the tops of the cruffins with powdered sugar right before serving. You can also drizzle a little extra Nutella on top for added decadence. If you want to add a crunchy element, sprinkle some crushed hazelnuts over the Nutella drizzle to play up the Nutella flavor. For a more luxurious touch, you can pipe a bit of Nutella on the top of each cruffin after baking, creating a decorative swirl.
Ingredients for Croissant Dough:
- 20g Fresh Yeast
- 260g Milk (slightly warm)
- 500g All-Purpose Flour
- 40g Granulated Sugar
- 50g Softened Butter
- 10g Fine Salt
- 250g Cold Butter (for laminating the dough)
Method:
- Prepare the dough: Start by dissolving the fresh yeast in the slightly warm milk. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy and active.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and the softened butter. Mix everything together until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare for laminating (butter layering): After the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle. Take the 250g of cold butter and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Pound it with a rolling pin to flatten it into a rectangle about half the size of your dough rectangle.
- Place the flattened butter in the center of your dough and fold the dough over it, like folding an envelope. Roll the dough out again into a large rectangle, then fold it into thirds. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough for 30 minutes between each fold. This creates the flaky layers in the cruffins.
- Shaping the cruffins: Once you’ve completed the final fold, roll the dough out into a thin rectangle. Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide. Spread a generous amount of Nutella down the center of each strip, then roll them up tightly into coils.
- Place each coil into a greased muffin tin, with the Nutella layers facing upward. Let the cruffins rise for another 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the cruffins for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up beautifully. The tops should be crisp and flaky.
- Allow the cruffins to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the muffin tin.
Enjoy!