Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Pie Cruffins
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) crescent roll sheets
- ¾ cup (182 g) apple pie filling, canned or homemade, apples finely chopped, divided
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided
For the Topping
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
Preparing the Cruffins
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each tube of crescent roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If using perforated crescent roll dough, pinch the seams together to seal them.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each sheet of dough.
- Evenly distribute approximately ¼ cup of apple pie filling over the buttered dough. Ensure that the apple pieces are finely chopped for easy rolling.
- Starting from the long end, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Cut the log in half, creating two shorter logs.
- Slice each shorter log in half lengthwise, exposing the layers inside.
- Repeat this process with the remaining two sheets of dough, resulting in 12 sections.
- Take one section at a time and, with the layered side facing up, roll it tightly into a cinnamon roll shape, tucking in the end piece.
- Place each cruffin into the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 22-24 minutes, or until the cruffins are golden brown and cooked through.
Adding the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Once the cruffins are out of the oven, immediately roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
Notes
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Sealing the Dough Properly: If using perforated crescent roll dough, be sure to pinch the seams tightly to prevent separation during baking.
- Rolling the Dough Evenly: When rolling up the dough, keep the log tight to create defined layers. If it is too loose, the cruffins may not hold their shape well.
- Preventing Overfilling: While it may be tempting to add extra apple pie filling, too much can cause the dough to become soggy and difficult to roll. Stick to the recommended amount.
- Ensuring Even Baking: To prevent uneven baking, rotate the muffin tin halfway through the baking time.
Kitchen Tips for Efficiency
- Prepping Ahead: The cruffins can be assembled the night before, stored in the refrigerator, and baked fresh in the morning.
- Using a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife or bench scraper is essential for cutting clean layers. A dull knife can squash the dough and ruin the layers.
- Keeping Dough Cool: If the dough becomes too soft and sticky, refrigerate it for a few minutes before rolling.
Alternative Fillings
While apple pie filling is a classic choice, this recipe can be adapted with different flavors:
- Berry Cruffins: Substitute apple filling with raspberry or blueberry preserves.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cruffins: Spread a thin layer of chocolate-hazelnut spread instead of fruit filling.
- Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins: Skip the filling and brush the dough with melted butter and cinnamon sugar before rolling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes