Carrot Cake Cruffins

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Carrot Cake Cruffins combine the rich, spiced flavors of carrot cake with the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant in a muffin shape. These delightful pastries are filled with a sweet carrot-cake-inspired mixture and often topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or an indulgent snack, they offer a creative twist on two beloved treats.

ingredients

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

puff pastry sheetgrated carrotsbrown sugarsugarground cinnamonground nutmegground gingercream cheeseunsalted buttervanilla extractpowdered sugarwalnuts (optional)eggsalt

directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin or line with parchment strips for easy removal.

Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle.

In a bowl, mix grated carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt to create the filling.

Spread softened butter over the pastry, then evenly distribute the carrot filling on top.

Roll the pastry tightly from one long side into a log, then cut lengthwise to expose the layers.

Twist each half into a spiral and shape into a muffin, placing each into a muffin cup.

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

While cooling, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a bit of butter to make a smooth frosting.

Once cruffins are slightly cooled, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting on top.

Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 6 cruffins.Preparation time: 20 minutesBaking time: 25–30 minutesCooling and frosting time: 20 minutesTotal time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Variations

Add crushed pineapple or raisins to the filling for extra texture.

Use store-bought or homemade croissant dough for a richer flavor.

Dust with cinnamon sugar instead of frosting for a less sweet option.

Drizzle with caramel or maple glaze for a decadent finish.

storage/reheating

Store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for 15–20 seconds to refresh the texture.

FAQs

Can I use homemade puff pastry?

Yes, but make sure it’s well chilled for easier handling and better layering.

What’s the best way to roll and twist the cruffins?

Tightly roll the pastry into a log, slice it lengthwise, and twist each half into a coil to form the signature cruffin shape.

Can I make them ahead?

Yes, you can prepare and shape them the night before and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning.

Do I have to use cream cheese frosting?

No, you can skip it or use a glaze, whipped cream, or just dust with powdered sugar.

Are these very sweet?

They are moderately sweet with the richness of the carrot and spice mixture balanced by the frosting.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, freeze baked and cooled cruffins without frosting. Thaw and reheat before adding any toppings.

Do I need to squeeze the moisture from the carrots?

If they are overly wet, gently pat them dry to avoid soggy pastry layers.

Can I make mini cruffins?

Yes, use mini muffin tins and reduce the baking time by about 5–10 minutes.

What kind of puff pastry is best?

Use all-butter puff pastry for the best flavor and flakiness.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free puff pastry alternative, keeping in mind the texture may vary.

Conclusion

Carrot Cake Cruffins are a delightful fusion of comfort and elegance, offering the nostalgic flavor of carrot cake with the flaky charm of a cruffin. Whether served warm at breakfast or as a festive dessert, they’re a creative and irresistible way to enjoy a classic favorite in a whole new form.

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