The Making of Cruffins: A Fusion of Two Favorite Pastries

Cruffins are a relatively new addition to the pastry world, created by combining the texture of croissants with the shape and fluffiness of muffins. This fusion results in a pastry that’s flaky and buttery like a croissant but shaped like a muffin, making them more portable and easier to serve. They’re often filled with a variety of delicious fillings, and in this vegan version, the filling of choice is a creamy vegan cannoli mixture.

To make cruffins, you start with a dough that’s made by laminating layers of butter into the dough, similar to croissant dough. The result is a dough that, when baked, puffs up into crispy, flaky layers. While traditional croissants can be a bit labor-intensive to prepare, these cruffins use a rough puff pastry technique that makes the process quicker and easier, without sacrificing that light, airy texture.

The Role of the Rough Puff Pastry Dough

At the heart of any great cruffin is the dough, and this recipe uses a rough puff pastry dough that’s simplified compared to traditional puff pastry. The dough begins with the activation of yeast, which gives the cruffins a light and airy texture. This yeast dough is combined with cubed cold vegan butter, which is worked into the dough in small chunks. These butter pieces remain within the dough, creating layers as the dough is rolled out and folded, which is a key step in achieving the flakiness of the cruffin.

The dough is then rolled out and laminated through a series of folds, allowing for the creation of multiple layers that will puff up during baking. The addition of vegan chocolate chips between some of the dough layers gives the cruffins a delightful surprise of chocolate with every bite. The use of bread flour helps the dough maintain its structure, while the warm dairy-free milk activates the yeast and contributes to the dough’s softness and lightness.

Laminating the Dough: Achieving the Perfect Flakiness

Laminating the dough is the crucial step that transforms the dough from a simple mixture into a flaky, buttery masterpiece. The process involves rolling the dough out into a long rectangle, then folding it over itself in thirds, much like a letter. This folding creates layers of dough and butter, which will expand during baking, creating the signature flaky texture.

The dough is rolled out several times during the lamination process, each time folding it over and refrigerating it between rolls to allow the butter to firm up. This ensures that the layers of butter don’t melt into the dough before baking, allowing the layers to puff up and create a crispy exterior. The addition of chocolate chips during the lamination process adds an extra touch of flavor, and when baked, they melt slightly, creating pockets of chocolatey goodness within the flaky layers.

Shaping the Cruffins: Forming the Muffin Shape

After the dough has been laminated, it is rolled out into a 12×9-inch rectangle, and then sliced into strips. These strips are rolled up into a spiral shape, much like a cinnamon roll, before being placed into a greased muffin tin. This shape is what gives the cruffins their characteristic muffin-like appearance, while still retaining the flaky texture of a croissant.

The cruffins are allowed to proof in the muffin tin, which allows them to rise and become light and airy. During this time, the yeast continues to work, and the dough puffs up, creating a soft interior. Once they have proofed and doubled in size, the cruffins are ready to be baked. The proofing process is key in achieving the right texture—if the dough doesn’t have enough time to rise, the cruffins will not be as fluffy on the inside.

Baking the Cruffins: Achieving Golden Perfection

Baking the cruffins is where the magic happens. The oven is preheated to a high temperature, which allows the dough to puff up quickly and form a golden, crispy exterior. The heat from the oven causes the layers of butter within the dough to melt and steam, creating pockets of air that give the cruffins their signature flakiness. The result is a cruffin that is golden brown on the outside, with layers of flaky goodness inside.

To enhance the color and shine of the cruffins, they are brushed with a vegan egg wash made from maple syrup and dairy-free milk before baking. This gives them a beautiful golden finish and adds a slight sweetness to the crust. The cruffins bake for 15-18 minutes, and when they are done, they should be perfectly golden and puffed up, ready to be filled with the vegan cannoli mixture.

The Vegan Cannoli Filling: A Decadent Creamy Delight

The filling for these cruffins is a vegan cannoli-inspired mixture that’s creamy, rich, and slightly tangy. It starts with vegan cream, which is thickened with cornstarch, creating a custard-like base. The addition of vanilla extract and vegan cream cheese gives the filling its smooth, velvety texture and a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery, flaky cruffins.

Once the filling has been made, mini vegan chocolate chips are folded in, providing little bursts of chocolate in each bite. The cannoli filling is piped into the cruffins once they have cooled slightly, creating a rich, creamy center that contrasts perfectly with the crisp exterior. This decadent filling is what truly sets these cruffins apart from other pastries, making them a treat worth savoring.

Serving Suggestions and Enjoying Cruffins

Vegan cruffins are perfect for any occasion. They can be enjoyed as a sweet breakfast or brunch item, paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The crispy exterior and soft, flaky interior make them a delightful indulgence, while the cannoli filling adds a rich, creamy element that makes every bite heavenly.

These cruffins also make a great treat for gatherings or special occasions. Their unique combination of textures and flavors is sure to impress guests, and the fact that they are both vegan and delicious makes them an inclusive option for various dietary preferences. Whether served at a holiday brunch, a casual get-together, or as an afternoon snack, these cruffins are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Conclusion

Vegan Cruffins are a perfect fusion of croissant and muffin, bringing together the best elements of both pastries into one delicious treat. The rough puff pastry dough creates a flaky, buttery exterior, while the decadent vegan cannoli filling provides a creamy, indulgent interior. With the added touch of chocolate chips, these cruffins are both visually appealing and bursting with flavor.

Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or as a special treat, these vegan cruffins are a must-try for anyone craving a delicious, flaky pastry with a rich, creamy filling. The combination of crispy, soft layers and a luscious filling makes them a satisfying indulgence that can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. If you’re looking for a unique and mouthwatering pastry that’s easy to make and absolutely irresistible, these vegan cruffins are the perfect choice.