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.

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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

Print Pin Rate

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 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.

What is the difference between croissant dough and Danish dough? ›

The base dough, known as the detrempe, varies depending on the type of pastry. For example, puff pastry dough is made up of flour, water, and salt; croissant dough is prepared with flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and milk; while Danish dough includes the same ingredients as a croissant dough but adds eggs to the mix.

Is a vegan croissant gluten free? ›

No Dairy, No Eggs, No Gluten! Truly spectacular layering and lamination. Insane quality pastry results, we still cannot believe it. To all lactose and dairy intolerants who live a gluten free diet, Manna Dew presents these croissants with love.

Can you get dairy free croissants? ›

A dairy free croissant distinctively laminated with the addition of bran and coconut.

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.

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

Cruffins Versus Cronuts

A cruffin is a hybrid of a croissant and a muffin, while a cronut is a croissant crossed with a donut.

Which is healthier croissant or English muffin? ›

If you are looking for a healthier breakfast option compared to croissants, brioche, crescent rolls, and Danish pastries, English muffins are a great choice. Unlike laminated pastries, English muffins do not contain as much fat because the butter content is lower.

Can I substitute puff pastry for croissant dough? ›

While these two pastries use similar ingredients and preparation methods, neither one can be a substitute dough for the other. Cross switching croissant and puff pastry doughs can be compared to using pie dough to make cookies.

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.

Who makes vegan croissants? ›

As one of the leaders of top-quality baked goods in North America, Bridor, of course, offers croissants. Two of its options are totally vegan: the Straight Vegan Croissant and the Vegan Curved & Pinched Croissant. The brand supplies coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels all over the US.

Does Pillsbury make vegan croissants? ›

Whether you're hosting a vegan dinner party or spending the perfect Saturday night in, these delicious vegan crescent roll recipes with six or fewer ingredients can be whipped up in no time. So many brands—including Pillsbury, Trader Joe's, Annie's, Immaculate Baking Company, and others—offer vegan crescent rolls.

Are vegan croissants healthier? ›

They are a vegan and healthier alternative to the classic French pastry with half the fats and three times more fibres.

What is a croissant What is it made of? ›

A croissant is typically made of yeast-risen dough. The dough is first layered with butter and then rolled. It is folded many times in a process called lamination. Then the dough is cut into triangles, rolled to form a crescent shape and baked.

What are croissants mostly made of? ›

A croissant (UK: /ˈkrwʌsɒ̃, ˈkrwæsɒ̃/, US: /krəˈsɒnt, krwɑːˈsɒ̃/; French: [kʁwasɑ̃]) is a French pastry made from puff pastry in a crescent shape. It is a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry inspired by the shape of the Austrian kipferl, but using the French yeast-leavened laminated dough.

What does a cruffin taste like? ›

Steve wrote "life was changed when I had the "cruffin" from Sweet Rustic Bakeshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As you can probably notice in the name, it is a wonderful mix between a croissant and a muffin. Sweet Rustic usually has three flavors - guava and cheese, vanilla bean, and nutella.

Where does a cruffin come from? ›

While some people may be new to the cruffin craze, the pastry itself was first created 10 years ago in Australia. It wasn't until a year later in 2014, an Australian pastry chef began serving the cruffin in a bakery in San Francisco.

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