Just three simple ingredients are all it takes to transform store-bought crescent rolls into incredibly scrumptious, utterly irresistible Nutella Cruffins! Get ready to elevate your breakfast or dessert game with this delightful treat.

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Nutella Cruffins: A Sweet Swirl of Pure Bliss

For many, the mere mention of Nutella conjures images of creamy, chocolatey, hazelnut perfection. It’s a spread that has captivated taste buds worldwide, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary indulgences. Combine this beloved spread with the ever-growing obsession for cruffins – that delightful hybrid of a croissant and a muffin – and you have a match made in culinary heaven. This Nutella Cruffins recipe is the logical, and utterly delicious, evolution of these two culinary loves.

The result is nothing short of spectacular. While some might always have a soft spot for the original plain cruffin, these Nutella-infused versions offer a sweet, flaky, and rich experience that’s hard to beat. They strike the perfect balance between sophisticated pastry and comforting indulgence, making them suitable for any occasion, from a fancy brunch to a simple afternoon snack.

Understanding the Cruffin Phenomenon: What Exactly is a Cruffin?

You might be wondering, “What exactly is a cruffin?” The name itself offers a strong clue: it’s an ingenious culinary cross between a buttery, flaky croissant and a soft, airy muffin. This delightful pastry takes the best characteristics of both worlds – the distinct layered texture and rich flavor of a croissant, baked in the convenient, individual portion size and shape of a muffin. It’s a brilliant innovation that brings gourmet pastry into the realm of accessible home baking.

It’s important not to confuse a cruffin with other pastry hybrids. For instance, a “puffin” is typically a combination of puff pastry and a muffin, offering a different texture entirely. And a “biffin” refers to a muffin made with biscuit dough. While these alternatives sound equally delicious, the cruffin, with its croissant-like foundation, stands out for its unique blend of flakiness and tender crumb, making it a true star in the pastry world.

Crescent Roll Dough vs. Puff Pastry: The Key to Cruffin Texture

Another excellent question often posed is, “What’s the difference between crescent roll dough and puff pastry?” Both are types of laminated doughs, meaning they are created by repeatedly folding butter into dough to create many thin layers. However, the crucial distinction lies in the presence of yeast. Crescent roll dough contains yeast, which causes it to rise significantly during baking, creating a wonderfully puffy, light, and tender texture. Puff pastry, on the other hand, relies solely on steam to create its layers, resulting in a crispier, more delicate flake. For cruffins, that yeast-leavened lightness of crescent roll dough is precisely the texture we’re aiming for – a perfect balance of croissant flakiness and muffin softness.

The Convenience Factor: Why Choose Store-Bought Dough?

You might also ask, “Why are we using store-bought dough instead of making it from scratch?” The answer is simple: convenience without compromise. While it’s true that years ago, cruffins were painstakingly crafted with homemade dough, attempting to replicate the legendary creations from places like Dominique Ansel Bakery in NYC, that process proved to be incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive for everyday baking. The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessibility. By utilizing canned crescent roll dough, we transform a complex pastry into a quick, easy, and family-friendly treat. This clever shortcut allows home bakers to enjoy the gourmet experience of cruffins without spending hours in the kitchen. Some of our favorite easy cruffin recipes include:

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins
Raspberry Cream Cheese Cruffins
Pumpkin Spice Cruffins

Explore More Delicious and Simple Cruffin Recipes

Whether you prefer them sweet or savory, it’s hard to resist the universal appeal of the cruffin! Their versatility knows no bounds. Once you master the basic technique, you can experiment with countless fillings and toppings. Our collection of Delicious and Simple Cruffin Recipes provides even more inspiration. Each recipe bakes up effortlessly with store-bought crescent rolls and a handful of straightforward ingredients, proving that gourmet flavors don’t require gourmet effort.

Gather Your Nutella Cruffin Ingredients and Essential Supplies

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You likely already have most of these items in your pantry, or they are readily available at any grocery store. (For precise measurements and additional details, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients:

Canned Crescent Roll Dough: The star of our easy cruffin recipe. Opt for the classic variety for the best texture.
Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread): The rich, creamy filling that makes these cruffins utterly decadent.
Granulated Sugar: For a delightful sparkly finish and an extra touch of sweetness.

Supplies:

Rolling Pin or Pastry Roller: Essential for smoothing out the crescent dough and blending those perforated lines.
12-Cup Muffin Pan: The vessel that gives our cruffins their signature muffin shape.
Nonstick Cooking Spray: To ensure your delicious cruffins release easily from the pan.
Wire Cooling Rack: Crucial for cooling your cruffins evenly and preventing them from becoming soggy.

How to Master Making Nutella Cruffins: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly flaky, Nutella-filled cruffins that will impress everyone:

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring every cup is coated. This helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal. Set the prepared pan aside.
Step 2: Roll Out and Spread. Carefully unroll each sheet of crescent roll dough. Using a rolling pin or pastry roller, gently roll out each sheet until you have three larger, more uniform rectangles. The goal here is to slightly enlarge the dough and, more importantly, to press and blend the perforated lines back together, creating a seamless surface. Once rolled, spread approximately ¼ cup of rich Nutella evenly over the surface of each dough sheet, leaving a small border at the edges.
Step 3: Roll and Slice into Logs. Starting from one of the long ends of a Nutella-covered rectangle, carefully roll up the dough into a tight log. Once rolled, take the log and cut it in half crosswise, yielding two shorter logs. Then, take each of these shorter logs and cut them in half lengthwise. This technique exposes the beautiful Nutella layers, which will become a visual delight in your finished cruffins.

Step 4: Form the Cruffin Shape. Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining two sheets of crescent roll dough and Nutella. By the time you’re finished, you should have 12 distinct pieces of dough. For each piece, gently wrap it around your finger to form a circular, muffin-like shape. Ensure the beautifully layered, Nutella-swirled side of the dough is facing outwards, as this creates that signature cruffin aesthetic.

Step 5: Place in Muffin Pan. Carefully place each formed cruffin piece into the individual cups of your greased muffin pan. Arrange them so they fit snugly, allowing room for expansion during baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection. Bake the cruffins for approximately 18-20 minutes on the middle rack of your preheated oven. To ensure even browning and a consistent bake, rotate the muffin pan halfway through the baking time. Keep an eye on them; they should turn a beautiful golden-brown color and be puffed up.
Step 7: Finish and Serve. Once baked, remove the cruffins from the oven. Immediately transfer them from the hot muffin pan to a wire cooling rack. While still warm, generously sprinkle each cruffin with sugar. This adds a delightful crunch and sparkle. Serve your Nutella Cruffins warm for the ultimate experience, allowing the Nutella to be slightly melted and gooey, or at room temperature for a delicious treat anytime.

Tips for Perfect Nutella Cruffins Every Time

Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to add extra Nutella, sticking to the recommended ¼ cup per sheet prevents it from oozing out too much during baking, keeping your cruffins neat.
Roll Gently: When rolling out the crescent dough, use gentle, even pressure. This helps blend the perforations without tearing the delicate dough.
Even Thickness: Aim for a consistent dough thickness after rolling. This ensures even baking and beautifully laminated layers.
Watch Your Oven: Every oven is different. Keep an eye on the cruffins during the last few minutes of baking. They should be golden brown, not burnt. If they’re browning too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.
Cooling is Key: Removing the cruffins immediately from the muffin pan and placing them on a wire rack prevents them from becoming soggy due to trapped steam.
Best Served Warm: While delicious at room temperature, Nutella Cruffins are truly magical when served warm. The Nutella becomes slightly molten, enhancing the overall experience.
Storage: Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave or a warm oven for that fresh-baked feel.

Elevate Your Dessert Game with More Nutella Recipes

Nutella is more than just a spread; it’s a versatile ingredient that can transform ordinary baking into edible art. Its creamy texture and unforgettable chocolate-hazelnut flavor add a touch of gourmet sophistication to any dish. If you’re as devoted to this hazelnut delight as we are, you’ll love exploring its potential beyond cruffins. Our collection of 7 Favorite Nutella Recipes gathers all that delicious goodness in one convenient place, offering inspiration for cookies, muffins, no-bake treats, and more. Dive in and enjoy the endless possibilities!

These Nutella Cruffins are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to enjoy a moment of pure, unadulterated sweetness with minimal effort. Whether you’re making them for a special brunch, a comforting dessert, or just because, their flaky layers and rich Nutella filling are sure to bring smiles. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite pastry hybrid!

If you embark on this delightful baking adventure and make these incredible Nutella Cruffins, we would absolutely love to see your creations! Be sure to snap a beautiful picture and share it with us, or tag us on Instagram @thebakermama. We thrive on seeing how inspired and creative you all get with the recipes we share. Enjoy every single bite!

xoxo,

Nutella Cruffins

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Author: The BakerMama
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12

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Description

Just three ingredients is all it takes to turn store-bought crescent rolls into scrumptious, irresistible Nutella Cruffins.

Ingredients

3 (8 ounce) tubes of crescent roll dough
3/4 cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
sugar, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Roll out each sheet of the crescent roll dough until you have 3 larger rectangles that are slightly larger than what you started with and the perforated lines are blended back together.
Spread about ¼ cup of Nutella onto each sheet.
Starting on the long end of the rectangle, roll up the dough into a log.
Cut the dough in half, giving you shorter logs.
Then cut each of those logs in half, lengthwise.
Repeat with the other two sheets. When you’re finished, you should have 12 pieces.
Take each piece and wrap it around your finger to form the shape of a muffin, with the layered side facing out.
Place each rolled piece in the greased muffin pan.
Bake for about 18-20 minutes on the middle rack of the oven, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.
Remove from the oven and immediately remove the cruffins from the pan.
Sprinkle each cruffin generously with the sugar and place them on a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.