Quick Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins

There’s just something magical about the smell of cinnamon sugar baking in the oven. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and guaranteed to draw everyone into the kitchen. These Quick Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins are one of those recipes you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again—not just because they taste like they came straight from a bakery, but because they’re surprisingly simple to make.

Now, I know the word cruffin might sound a little fancy (yes, it’s a cross between a croissant and a muffin), but don’t worry—this version skips the complicated dough and long resting times. Instead, we’re using store-bought puff pastry to cut way down on the prep without sacrificing that flaky, buttery texture we all love.

These cinnamon-swirled beauties are perfect for lazy Sunday mornings, impressing brunch guests, or just treating yourself to something sweet with your morning coffee. I’ve made these on chilly weekends when I wanted a bakery treat without leaving the house, and they never disappoint. The best part? They come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish!

Let’s get into it—you’re going to love how easy (and dangerously good) these are.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but still cold

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Extra butter for greasing

• Additional cinnamon sugar for coating

If you’ve never worked with puff pastry before, don’t stress. The key is to keep it cold so the layers puff up beautifully when baked. Most store-bought versions come folded, so just let it thaw in the fridge for a few hours or overnight until pliable.

STEP 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin & Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F). Then, grab a 6-cup muffin tin and generously grease each cup with butter. This step is super important—not only does it keep the cruffins from sticking, but it also helps get those beautifully crisp, golden edges.

If you prefer, you can use baking spray, but I find real butter gives a much richer flavor and helps with browning.

STEP 2: Mix Your Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. It may not seem like much, but this little mixture is the star of the show. If you like your treats on the sweeter side, feel free to bump up the sugar a little bit.

Set it aside—you’ll be using it in just a moment.

STEP 3: Roll Out and Fill Your Puff Pastry

Unfold your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. Try not to overwork it—you want to preserve those delicate layers.

Now, brush the entire surface with melted butter (about 2 tablespoons), getting all the way to the edges. Then, evenly sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. It’s tempting to just dump it on, but spreading it evenly ensures every bite is full of that cinnamon-sugar goodness.

At this point, your kitchen is probably already smelling amazing—even before these hit the oven!

STEP 4: Shape the Cruffins

This step might sound tricky, but it’s actually really fun (and kind of satisfying).

1. Starting from the long side of the pastry sheet, tightly roll it into a log, just like you would with cinnamon rolls.

2. Next, slice the log in half lengthwise—you’ll end up with two long strips that have beautiful layers peeking out.

3. With the cut side facing out, gently roll each strip into a spiral shape, tucking the end underneath if needed.

4. Carefully place each spiral into a muffin cup.

And that’s it for shaping! If you’re feeling creative, you can make a little twist in the dough before placing it into the tin, which gives it a more “bloomed” look when it bakes.

Now that your cruffins are perfectly shaped and nestled into their muffin cups, it’s time for the part that transforms them from pretty little spirals into golden, bakery-style pastries: baking. This is where the magic really happens. The puff pastry puffs up, the layers separate, and that cinnamon sugar melts into all the nooks and crannies.

Let’s finish these off the right way and talk about baking time, the final sugary coating, and a few optional twists you can try if you’re in the mood to play around with flavors. Spoiler alert: they’re just as easy to customize as they are to make.

STEP 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Once your oven is fully preheated to 190°C (375°F), place the muffin tin on the middle rack. You’ll want to bake the cruffins for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and deeply golden brown on top.

You’ll know they’re done when the edges are crisp and golden, and the centers are no longer doughy. Be sure to keep an eye on them toward the end—every oven is a little different, and puff pastry can go from perfect to overdone pretty quickly.

Pro tip: If your cruffins start browning too fast but need more time in the center, you can lightly tent the top with a piece of foil during the last few minutes of baking.

STEP 6: Cool Slightly & Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Once your cruffins come out of the oven, let them cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes. They’ll still be warm but firm enough to remove without falling apart.

Now comes the final touch—that sweet cinnamon sugar coating.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush each warm cruffin with a bit of melted butter (just enough to make the sugar stick).

2. Then, either sprinkle or roll them in additional cinnamon sugar, coating them generously.

This step adds that extra layer of sweetness and gives the cruffins that irresistible sparkle you’d expect from a bakery display case.

Tips & Variations to Make Them Your Own

One of the best things about this recipe—besides how easy it is—is how customizable it can be. Once you’ve mastered the basic version, here are a few simple twists to try:

Add a Filling

• Chocolate Spread – A thin layer of Nutella before rolling adds a rich, gooey center.

• Fruit Jam – Raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam pairs beautifully with the cinnamon sugar.

• Brown Sugar & Chopped Nuts – Swap the white sugar for brown sugar and add finely chopped pecans or walnuts for a warm, nutty crunch.

Just be careful not to overload the filling—you still want the dough to roll easily and bake evenly.

Try a Flavor Twist

• Pumpkin Spice – Replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a cozy autumn version.

• Vanilla Sugar – Add a little vanilla bean paste to the melted butter for an extra layer of flavor.

Want Bigger Batches?

If you’re making these for a crowd, double the recipe and use both sheets from the standard puff pastry box. You can also use a 12-cup muffin tin and adjust the baking time slightly—just make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as cruffins need space to expand.