Apple Butter Cruffins

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Apple Butter Cruffins bring together the best parts of laminated pastry and cinnamon rolls, but with less effort. Using store-bought dough, they come together quickly, yet they still deliver those beautiful, buttery layers. The apple butter filling adds a rich, spiced sweetness in every bite, while the cinnamon-sugar finish makes them feel extra indulgent. These are perfect for entertaining, gifting, or just treating yourself on a crisp autumn morning.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry sheets (thawed if frozen)
• Apple butter
• Ground cinnamon
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting or caramel sauce for drizzling

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin tin.
2. Unroll the crescent roll dough or puff pastry and press seams together to form a single sheet (if using crescent dough).
3. Spread a thin, even layer of apple butter over the surface of the dough.
4. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log.
5. Slice the log lengthwise down the middle to expose the layers.
6. With the cut sides facing out, roll each strip into a spiral, like a cinnamon roll.
7. Place each spiral into a muffin cup, cut-side up, and gently press down.
8. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
9. While still warm, brush the tops with melted butter and roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
10. Let cool slightly before serving. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 6–8 cruffins, depending on dough size.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Maple Apple Butter Cruffins: Add a drizzle of maple syrup inside before rolling for extra flavor.
• Cream Cheese Filling: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese beneath the apple butter.
• Apple Pie Spice Blend: Use apple pie spice instead of just cinnamon for more depth.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple butter before rolling.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free puff pastry to make a wheat-free version.
• Mini Cruffins: Make smaller versions in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds.
You can freeze baked cruffins for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as desired.

FAQs

What is a cruffin?

A cruffin is a cross between a croissant and a muffin—laminated dough baked in a muffin tin.

Can I use homemade apple butter?

Yes! Homemade or store-bought apple butter both work great.

Do I need to use puff pastry?

Puff pastry or crescent dough are both suitable. Puff pastry will be flakier, while crescent dough is softer.

How do I get visible layers?

Make sure to slice the dough log lengthwise and keep the cut sides facing out when rolling.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can assemble the cruffins, refrigerate them covered overnight, and bake the next morning.

Can I add extra filling?

Yes, but avoid overfilling, which can cause the dough to unroll or leak.

What’s the best way to roll the dough?

Tightly, but not so tight that the filling squeezes out—just a gentle, even roll works best.

Can I skip the cinnamon-sugar topping?

Yes, but it adds a delicious crunch and sweetness that complements the apple butter.

Do I need a muffin tin?

Yes, a muffin tin helps the cruffins hold their shape and rise evenly while baking.

Are they good at room temperature?

Yes, but they’re especially delicious warm, fresh from the oven.

Conclusion

Apple Butter Cruffins are the perfect fall pastry—flaky, sweet, and swirled with cozy spice. With minimal ingredients and big bakery-style appeal, they’re a beautiful and flavorful way to enjoy seasonal apple flavors in a fun, unique form. Whether you’re baking them for brunch, dessert, or a midday treat, these cruffins are guaranteed to impress.

Apple Butter Cruffins

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Apple Butter Cruffins are buttery, flaky pastries made by rolling apple butter into crescent or puff pastry, baking them in a muffin tin, and finishing with cinnamon sugar. A cross between a croissant and muffin, they’re warm, spiced, and perfect for fall.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 cruffins
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough or 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
• 1/3 cup apple butter
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
• Optional: caramel sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin tin.
2. Unroll crescent roll dough or puff pastry and press seams together to create a smooth sheet.
3. Spread a thin, even layer of apple butter over the dough.
4. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
5. Slice the log lengthwise to expose layers.
6. With cut sides facing out, roll each strip into a spiral (like a cinnamon roll).
7. Place each spiral into a muffin cup, cut-side up, and gently press down.
8. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
9. While still warm, brush tops with melted butter and roll in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
10. Let cool slightly and optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel before serving.

Notes

• Puff pastry yields flakier results; crescent dough creates a softer texture.
• Don’t overfill with apple butter to avoid leaks during baking.
• Slice dough cleanly to maintain visible layers.
• Best enjoyed warm but can be stored and reheated.
• Can be prepped ahead and baked the next day.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cruffin
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg