Description
These Almond Croissant Muffins, also known as Cruffins, combine the flaky layers of puff pastry with a rich almond cream filling for a delightful breakfast or dessert treat. Featuring a golden, buttery spiral topped with sliced almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar, cruffins offer an elegant yet easy-to-make pastry inspired by French viennoiserie.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1/3 cup almond paste or almond filling
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon granulated sugar for sprinkling
Almond Cream Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a standard muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Make Almond Cream Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, almond flour, egg, almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the texture is smooth and creamy, ensuring the filling is well incorporated.
- Roll Out Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the thawed sheet of puff pastry. Spread a thin layer of softened butter evenly over the entire surface to add richness.
- Apply Almond Cream: Evenly spread the prepared almond cream filling over the buttered pastry, making sure to cover it completely without overfilling.
- Shape the Cruffins: Roll the pastry tightly from the short end into a log shape. Carefully cut the log in half lengthwise to expose the layered filling.
- Form Spirals: Take each half and roll it into a spiral with the cut side facing upward to showcase the layers. Place each spiral into a muffin cup arranged in the prepared tin.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle sliced almonds over each cruffin. Optionally, add a light dusting of granulated sugar to enhance sweetness and create a slight crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the cruffins have puffed up and achieved a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cruffins to cool slightly in the pan. Before serving, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a delicate finish.
Notes
- You can use store-bought almond paste for convenience or make your own almond cream filling for a fresher, richer flavor.
- These cruffins are best enjoyed warm but can be reheated gently in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
- Ensure puff pastry is properly thawed before working to avoid tearing while rolling.
- For a nut-free variation, omit the almond extract and sliced almonds and substitute almond flour with a neutral flour, though this changes the classic flavor.
