If a croissant and a muffin had a decadent, chocolate-filled baby, it would be the cruffin.
These bakery-style beauties combine buttery, flaky layers with the convenience of a muffin shape—and when filled with Nutella, they become downright irresistible.
Nutella cruffins are crisp on the outside, soft and layered on the inside, and filled with rich chocolate-hazelnut goodness. While they look impressive, they’re surprisingly achievable at home. Follow this detailed, step-by-step guide to create stunning Nutella cruffins from scratch.
What Is a Cruffin?
A cruffin is made from laminated dough like a croissant, but instead of shaping into crescents, the dough is rolled, sliced, and baked in a muffin tin. The result is a tall, spiraled pastry with crisp layers and a soft center—perfect for filling or dusting with sugar.
Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix briefly to distribute evenly.
Add warm milk, melted butter, and the egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Roll and Laminate the Dough
Once risen, punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, approximately 12×16 inches.
Spread the softened butter evenly over the entire surface of the dough, reaching all the edges. The butter layer is what creates those flaky, croissant-like layers.
Fold the dough into thirds like a letter. Turn it 90 degrees, then roll it out again into a large rectangle. Repeat the fold once more for extra layers. If the dough becomes too soft, chill it for 20 minutes before continuing.
Roll Thin and Add Nutella
Roll the dough out one final time into a thin rectangle about ⅛-inch thick. Warm the Nutella slightly so it spreads easily. Spread a thin, even layer across the surface of the dough.
Avoid using too much filling—overfilling can cause leaks during baking.
Roll into a Log
Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log, similar to cinnamon rolls. Keep the roll snug to maintain defined layers.
Once rolled, use a sharp knife to cut the log in half lengthwise, exposing the layers inside.
Twist and Shape
Take one half and gently twist it, keeping the cut layers facing outward. Coil the twisted dough into a spiral and place it into a greased muffin tin cavity.
Repeat with the remaining dough halves until you’ve filled your muffin tin (this recipe typically makes 6–8 cruffins).
Second Rise
Cover the muffin tin loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and allow the cruffins to rise for 30–45 minutes. They should look slightly puffed but not overly expanded.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake Until Golden and Flaky
Bake the cruffins for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on the outside. If they brown too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the final minutes of baking.
The layers should visibly separate and rise beautifully, creating that signature cruffin texture.
Cool Slightly and Fill (Optional Extra Filling)
If you want an extra Nutella surprise, allow the cruffins to cool slightly, then use a piping bag fitted with a small tip to inject additional Nutella into the center.
This step is optional but adds a bakery-style finishing touch.
Dust and Serve
Once cooled slightly, dust generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation. Serve warm for the ultimate experience—the layers will be crisp, buttery, and filled with gooey chocolate-hazelnut goodness.
Tips for Perfect Nutella Cruffins
- Keep butter soft but not melted for proper lamination.
- Chill the dough if needed to prevent butter from melting into it.
- Roll tightly for defined layers.
- Avoid overfilling to prevent messy leaks.
- Bake until deeply golden for crisp outer layers.
Storage and Reheating
- Store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
- Freeze unfilled cruffins for up to 1 month; thaw and warm before serving.
Nutella cruffins are the ultimate hybrid pastry—combining the flaky elegance of a croissant with the convenience and shape of a muffin. Their dramatic spirals and chocolate-filled layers make them perfect for brunch spreads, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent.
Though they require a few extra steps, the payoff is extraordinary: crisp, buttery layers wrapped around rich Nutella, all baked into a stunning muffin form. Once you master these Nutella cruffins, you’ll feel like you’ve brought a high-end bakery straight into your kitchen.
