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I stumbled on these buttery garlic cruffins when I was looking to upgrade our normal dinner bread. Who'd have thought using store-bought crescent dough would make something that looks so fancy! They're basically the lovechild of a croissant and muffin, all twisted up with buttery garlic and melty cheese. My little ones now ask for these instead of plain bread at dinnertime. They've got a crispy exterior but pull apart with the softest, most tender inside. What I love most? They look like they're from an expensive bakery but they're actually dead simple to make.
What Makes These Total Crowd-Pleasers
Let me share why these cruffins have become my favorite side. For starters, they're pretty much foolproof, which works great on hectic evenings. While they bake, they fill your home with this incredible cheesy garlic aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen. I brought them to our family Thanksgiving dinner and my husband's mom wanted the recipe right away – that's a true win! They're fancy enough for guests but simple enough for any weeknight meal.
What You'll Need
- Crescent Dough: Pick up the ones without cut marks to make your job way easier
- Butter: Get half a cup totally softened so it goes on smoothly
- Garlic Powder: About a teaspoon works, but throw in more if you're crazy about garlic
- Fresh Chives: I keep these growing in my window sill, but green onions work in a pinch
- Cheese: Use a cup of mild cheddar or whatever type you've got on hand
- More Butter: You'll need extra for brushing on when they're hot – don't even think about skipping this
How To Whip These Up
- Prep Your Base
- Lay those crescent sheets out on a floured surface. Smear that soft butter all across like you're making a sandwich. Then shake on your garlic powder chives and cheese – my absolute favorite step!
- Getting It Rolled
- Tightly roll up each sheet just like you would for cinnamon rolls. Now for the fun part – cut it in half then slice each piece lengthwise. You'll see all those gorgeous layers!
- Shaping Your Cruffins
- Twist those cut pieces together like you're making a braid then coil them into spirals. Place each one into your muffin tray.
- Baking Time
- They need around 18 minutes to turn golden and beautiful. Your kitchen will smell unbelievable! Make sure to brush them with extra garlic butter while they're still hot.
Change It Up
You can customize these in tons of ways. Sometimes I go for extra-sharp cheddar for more flavor, or add some stretchy mozzarella for those awesome cheese pulls. Last month I switched to fresh minced garlic instead of the powder and man, what a game-changer! When I want some heat I toss in red pepper flakes. My neighbor tried making them with puff pastry rather than crescent dough and said they turned out incredibly flaky.
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Fun Size Options
For get-togethers I create tiny versions in my small muffin pan and they turn out so darn cute! Nobody can say no to a bite-sized cruffin. Just cut everything smaller and watch the baking time. My kids love helping me make these and say it feels like playing with clay. Always keep that garlic butter nearby for brushing – that's what makes them taste so amazing.
Tricks For Perfect Results
Roll your dough super tight or it'll come apart during baking. I found that out the hard way! Good scissors work way better than knives when cutting through the rolled dough. And please don't forget to grease your muffin tin really thoroughly as these little guys stick like crazy. I always add a quick spray of oil even in my non-stick pan just to be safe.
Assembly Secrets
During the assembly take your sweet time with twisting them as that's what gives them their showstopper look. Don't stress if they aren't perfect – they'll taste fantastic anyway. I always tuck the end underneath when placing them in the tin which keeps everything tidy. Make sure they fit snugly but give them a bit of space to grow as they bake.
Nailing Your Cruffin Game
If your kitchen feels warm stick the dough in your fridge for a bit before cutting as this makes cleaner slices. That final garlic butter brush isn't just tasty – it makes them look glossy too. I always cook one batch at a time right in the middle rack since they brown more evenly that way. Let them sit in the pan for a couple minutes after baking so they can set up properly.
Storage Tips
These taste best right after baking but will stay good a couple days in a container on your counter. Just warm them up for a few minutes to get their crispiness back. I wouldn't try freezing them as they just don't taste right afterward. But honestly we never have any left anyway as they get gobbled up so fast! If you need to plan ahead just get everything ready and bake them right before you eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What exactly is a cruffin?
A cruffin takes the texture of a croissant and mashes it with a muffin shape. Crescent dough simplifies making all those flaky layers.
- → Can regular rolls be used?
Absolutely. Just press the seams firmly if you're using regular crescent rolls instead of seamless sheets.
- → How to roll them snugly?
Face the layers outward while shaping. Tighter spirals end up flakier and prettier.
- → Can I prep in advance?
Eat 'em freshly baked for the best results. Reheat leftovers briefly and brush on butter before serving.
- → What cheese works here?
Go with any melty cheese you prefer. Sharp cheddar adds punchy flavor, while mild cheeses ooze better.
Conclusion
With the soft layers of croissants shaped to fit a muffin tin, these garlic and cheese-stuffed cruffins are a quick and scrumptious treat. Crescent dough keeps the prep simple, making them a great choice for snacking or as a side.