If you’ve never tried cruffins before, you’re in for a treat! These delightful pastries are the perfect hybrid of a croissant and a muffin—flaky, buttery layers wrapped around rich chocolate chips and baked into a beautifully golden muffin shape. They’re indulgent, slightly crisp on the outside, and irresistibly soft inside. Trust me, once you taste these, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them sooner!
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Chip Cruffins
These aren’t just pastries; they’re little bundles of joy. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, an afternoon treat, or to impress your guests, these cruffins check all the boxes.
Is this Chocolate Chip Cruffins recipe for you? Let’s see. Chocolate Chip Cruffins are…
- Buttery, flaky, and filled with pockets of melted chocolate.
- Easier to make than traditional croissants, but just as impressive.
- A fun, creative baking project with rewarding results.
- Perfect for pairing with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
- Deliciously customizable—swap chocolate chips for cinnamon sugar, jam, or even a savory filling.
Ingredients in Chocolate Chip Cruffins
These beauties are made with simple ingredients, but the results are anything but ordinary. Let’s break it down:
For the Dough:
Whole Milk: Adds richness and softness to the dough.
Warm Water: Helps activate the yeast for a perfect rise.
Active Dried Yeast: Gives the dough that signature airy texture.
Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and helps the yeast bloom.
Butter: Melted butter infuses the dough with a delicious buttery flavor.
Granulated Cane Sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough to complement the chocolate.
All-Purpose Flour: The perfect base for a soft yet sturdy dough.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Small enough to spread throughout the layers for the perfect bite.
For Laminating:
Unsalted Butter: The key to those irresistible flaky layers.
For Baking:
Egg Wash: Gives the cruffins their golden, glossy finish.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these irresistible cruffins:
Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt. Mix and knead for about 8 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Butter for Laminating: Place cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it into a thin rectangle. Chill in the fridge while the dough rises.
Roll and Layer the Dough: Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Place the chilled butter in the center, fold the dough over it, and roll it out again. Fold and repeat this process 2-3 times to create layers.
Add Chocolate and Shape: Roll the dough out one last time, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, and roll it into a log. Slice into equal portions and place each piece into a greased muffin tin.
Final Rise: Cover and let the cruffins rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the cruffins with egg wash and bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and flaky.
Finishing Touches: Let cool slightly before removing from the tin. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
Serve and Enjoy: These cruffins are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well for a couple of days!
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cruffins?
Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your cruffin experience:
Morning Coffee: Pair with a fresh cup of espresso or a cappuccino for the perfect start to your day.
Fruit Compote: Serve with a side of berry compote for a tangy contrast to the rich chocolate.
Whipped Cream or Mascarpone: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a luxurious touch.
Warm with Ice Cream: Slightly warm the cruffin and enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Serving Size: 1 cruffin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Chill the Dough: Keeping the dough cold while working with it makes it easier to handle and results in better layers.
Use High-Quality Butter: Since butter is a key ingredient in the lamination, using high-quality butter makes a noticeable difference.
Dust with Powdered Sugar: A light dusting right before serving adds a beautiful finishing touch.
Storage Tips: Store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage.
Make it Even More Decadent: Drizzle with caramel or Nutella for an extra indulgent twist.
Tips & Variations
- For a Cinnamon Sugar Version: Swap the chocolate chips for a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
- Nutty Addition: Add finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds for a bit of crunch.
- Savory Option: Omit the sugar and chocolate chips, and fill with cheese, ham, or pesto.
- Extra Buttery Layers: If you want even more buttery goodness, add an extra fold during the lamination process.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter for a lactose-free version.
Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Chip Cruffins are everything you want in a pastry—crispy, buttery, chocolatey, and utterly delightful. Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch, a special occasion, or just because, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Give it a try and let me know how they turn out!
Chocolate Chip Cruffins (Croissant Muffins)
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 85 g warm whole milk
- 60 g warm water
- 2 ½ tsp active dried yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 25 g butter melted
- 20 g granulated cane sugar
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 5 g salt about 1 tsp
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- For Laminating:
- 140 g unsalted butter cold
- For Baking:
- 1 egg for egg wash
Instructions
- . Prepare the Dough (Night Before):
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, sugar, flour, salt, and chocolate chips. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer to a clean surface and knead for 2-3 minutes until smooth and pliable (or use a stand mixer with a dough hook).
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Transfer to the refrigerator overnight to develop flavor and texture.
- Prepare the Butter Block (Next Morning):
- Fold a large piece of parchment paper into a 5” x 6” rectangle.
- Slice cold butter into thirds and place inside the parchment paper.
- Fold the parchment over the butter and roll it into a smooth 5” x 6” rectangle.
- Set aside away from heat.
- Laminate the Dough:
- Roll the chilled dough into an 11” x 7” rectangle on a floured surface.
- Place the butter block in the center, then fold the outer flaps of dough over it. Pinch edges to seal the butter inside.
- Gently pound with a rolling pin horizontally, then vertically. Roll out to a 20” x 10” rectangle.
- Brush with cold water, then fold like an envelope (edges meet in the center). Fold again lengthwise to create layers.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the rolling and folding process again, rolling to a 24” x 10” rectangle. Chill for 1 hour.
- Assemble the Cruffins:
- Let the dough rest at room temperature for 10-20 minutes, depending on the season.
- Roll out to ¼” thick on a well-floured surface.
- Trim the edges and slice into 6-8 equal strips. Roll each strip tightly into a spiral.
- Butter a jumbo muffin tin (or regular muffin tin for smaller cruffins). Place dough spirals inside.
- Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Bake the Cruffins:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Brush the cruffins with egg wash.
- Bake on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes, until deeply golden and flaky.
- Cool slightly, then enjoy warm!
Notes
- Extra Flaky Layers: Keep butter cold but pliable when laminating. If it gets too soft, chill the dough before continuing.
- Sweet Variation: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy with coffee or a warm cup of tea.
