Tasty Churro Cruffins Cinnamon Sugar Treats
These tasty churro cruffins are a delightful cross between flaky croissants and soft muffins, finished with a generous coating of cinnamon sugar. Crisp on the outside and beautifully tender within, they deliver all the warmth and sweetness of classic churros without the need for deep frying. This is an easy, approachable bake using ready-made dough, perfect for confident beginners and busy home bakers alike. From start to finish, they are ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
For the cruffins
- 2 x 320g tins ready-rolled croissant dough
- 40g unsalted butter, melted
For the cinnamon sugar coating
- 100g caster sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
How to Make Tasty Churro Cruffins Cinnamon Sugar Treats
- Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Lightly grease a 12-hole muffin tin, making sure each cavity is well coated so the cruffins release easily.
- Prepare the dough: Unroll the croissant dough and separate into rectangles. Brush each piece lightly with melted butter, covering the surface evenly.
- Add the filling: Mix the caster sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle a generous layer over the buttered dough, pressing it in gently.
- Shape the cruffins: Starting from the long edge, roll each rectangle tightly into a log. Slice each log lengthways to expose the layers, then twist and coil into a loose spiral. Place each one into the muffin tin.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until well risen, deeply golden, and crisp on the edges. Keep an eye on them during the final minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Finish and cool: Allow the cruffins to cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then carefully lift out and roll in extra cinnamon sugar while still warm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cruffins
Why did my cruffins lose their shape?
Make sure the dough is rolled tightly and the coils are snug in the tin. Loose shaping can cause them to spread rather than rise.
How do I get crisp, flaky layers?
Use cold dough straight from the fridge and avoid over-handling. This helps the butter layers puff up properly in the oven.
Can I make them extra indulgent?
Add a teaspoon of chocolate spread or dulce de leche along the dough before rolling for a richer treat.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate
- Dust lightly with icing sugar for a bakery-style finish
- Enjoy with fresh berries on the side
Storage
Room Temperature
Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the oven to refresh the texture.
Refrigerator
Not recommended, as refrigeration can dry out the pastry and dull the flavour.
Freezing
Freeze baked and cooled cruffins for up to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature and warm through before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.
FAQs
Can I bake this as a loaf instead?
Yes, divide the mixture between two loaf tins and increase the baking time slightly. Check for doneness with a skewer.
What size tray bake tin works best?
A tin around 23 x 30cm gives the ideal depth and even baking.
Can I use wholemeal flour?
You can replace half the flour with wholemeal, but the cake will be slightly denser.
Is this cake suitable for children?
Yes, it is mildly spiced and naturally sweet, making it ideal for all ages.
Tasty Churro Cruffins Cinnamon Sugar Treats
Course: DessertCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcal1
hour10
minutesFlaky, buttery cruffins coated in cinnamon sugar, inspired by classic churros and baked until golden and crisp.
Ingredients
2 x 320g tins ready-rolled croissant dough
40g unsalted butter, melted
100g caster sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and grease a 12-hole muffin tin.
- Brush croissant dough with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Roll, slice, twist and coil the dough, then place into the tin.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Roll warm cruffins in extra cinnamon sugar and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Work quickly with cold dough for best layers.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavour.
- Reheat briefly in the oven to refresh.

