There’s a hidden gem in the pastry world that you absolutely need to discover: Blueberry Cruffins. Imagine biting into a flaky croissant that softly yields to a fluffy muffin interior—all while being filled with luscious blueberry jam. I stumbled upon this delightful recipe during a lazy Sunday afternoon, feeling adventurous yet craving something familiar.
With each layer of buttery goodness, these cruffins blend textures in a way that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to create. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, they’ll leave your kitchen smelling like a bakery, captivating family and friends alike. As you knead the dough and roll it out, you’ll find that this recipe not only revives your love for homemade pastries but also transforms your kitchen into a warm, inviting haven.
Get ready to impress yourself (and anyone lucky enough to share) with this recipe that combines the best of both worlds—a croissant and a muffin, waiting to be filled with your favorite jam! Let’s dive in and bring some delectable magic to your table.
Why are Blueberry Cruffins a must-try?
Flaky Perfection: Each bite is a harmonious blend of croissant layers and muffin softness, making it a true pastry delight.
Jam-Packed Joy: The blueberry jam filling adds a burst of sweet, fruity flavor that elevates your taste experience.
Easy to Master: With just a few steps, you’ll create bakery-style treats right at home without the fuss.
Impressive Results: Share them at brunch or gatherings, and enjoy the amazed expressions on everyone’s faces.
Versatile Treat: Customize with your favorite fillings or change it up with different jams for endless variations.
Don’t miss trying these delightful pastries; they might just become your new favorite breakfast indulgence!
Blueberry Cruffins Ingredients
• Get ready to create the perfect fusion of croissant and muffin!
For the Dough
- 150 grams bread flour – This flour gives your cruffins that signature chewy texture.
- 150 grams all-purpose flour – A balanced addition that aids in creating a light, fluffy crumb.
- 1 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast – Essential for a beautiful rise and airy structure in your cruffins.
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to enhance the flavor.
- 160 grams luke-warm filtered water – The warmth activates the yeast for a successful rise.
- 50 grams salted butter, softened and cubed – Incorporating this butter creates those irresistible flaky layers.
- 165 grams salted butter, room-temperature – Used for spreading between layers to enhance flakiness.
For the Filling and Topping
- Blueberry jam – The star of the show, providing a juicy burst of flavor in every cruffin.
- Powdered sugar – A light dusting finishes off these Blueberry Cruffins beautifully and adds a touch of sweetness.
How to Make Blueberry Cruffins
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a standing mixer bowl with a dough hook, combine the bread flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, and sugar until well blended. This forms the perfect dry base for your cruffins.
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Add Water and Knead: Pour in the luke-warm filtered water and knead on low speed until a shaggy dough appears, about 3 minutes. This initial mixing sets the stage for your dough’s texture.
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Incorporate Butter: Add the 50 grams of softened butter cubes and knead for 5 minutes on low or until combined. Increase to medium speed, kneading for an additional 10-15 minutes until you achieve a smooth dough ball.
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Let Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about 45 minutes, or until it has puffed up noticeably. This activates the yeast, giving your cruffins a light, airy structure.
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Prepare the Pan: While the dough rises, lightly grease your popover pan with shortening and dust it with flour. This ensures your cruffins won’t stick during baking.
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Divide the Dough: Move the dough to a floured surface and divide it into 6 equal portions. Cover the unworked portions with plastic wrap to keep them from drying out.
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Flatten and Roll: Using your hands, flatten one portion of dough to about ½ inch thick and pass it through a pasta roller on the widest setting. This step is crucial for achieving those delightful layers!
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Fold and Repeat: Fold the flattened dough in thirds and roll it through the pasta roller again on the widest setting. Repeat this process one more time to create even more flaky layers.
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Cut the Dough: After rolling through the widest setting three times, cut the dough in half. You’ll be left with two pieces, each ready for further rolling.
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Thin and Roll Again: Dust both sides of one half and pass it through the pasta roller until you reach the thinnest setting, ensuring maximum flakiness. Repeat the same for the second half of the dough.
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Butter the Layers: With an offset spatula, gently butter one side of each half using the 165 grams of room temperature butter. This will help bring out that beautiful flaky texture in your cruffins.
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Roll the Dough: Take one buttered half of the dough and roll it up tightly like a fruit roll-up. This rolling creates those lovely spiraled layers.
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Combine the Rolls: Place the rolled dough at one end of the second buttered dough half, then roll them together to form a fat roll. This combination is where the magic happens!
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Slice the Roll: Cut your rolled dough in half lengthwise. This will reveal the gorgeous layers inside and prepare them for the popover pan.
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Insert into Pan: Place each half into a cup of the popover pan, cut-side facing outward, ensuring they fit loosely. This layout helps them rise beautifully in the oven.
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Repeat the Process: Follow steps 7-15 until all 6 pieces of dough are used. Your cruffins are taking shape beautifully!
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Final Rise: Loosely cover the popover pan with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or until they’ve doubled in size. This step is key for achieving the right texture.
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Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400˚F and place a sheet pan underneath the popover pan. Bake your cruffins until golden brown and puffed up, about 20-30 minutes.
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Cool in Pan: Allow the cruffins to cool in the pan for around 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time helps set the final texture.
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Fill with Jam: Fill a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip with blueberry jam and gently fill each cruffin until you feel resistance. That delightful burst is essential!
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Dust for Finish: Lightly dust the tops of each cruffin with powdered sugar for a sweet touch that adds to the appeal.
Optional: Serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips for Blueberry Cruffins
- Perfect Rise: Ensure your dough rises in a warm, draft-free environment for the best results; this step is crucial for fluffy, airy Blueberry Cruffins.
- Butter Layers: Be generous when spreading the butter between layers; this not only enhances flakiness but keeps the cruffins from becoming dense.
- Pasta Roller Technique: When folding and rolling, avoid overworking the dough; too much handling can lead to tough cruffins—gentle is key!
- Filling Strategy: Use a piping bag for the jam filling to ensure even distribution; this avoids overflow and gives every bite a delicious burst of flavor.
- Cooling Time: Allow sufficient cooling time in the pan before transferring to a wire rack; this helps maintain structure as they firm up.
Blueberry Cruffins Variations
Feel free to get creative and tailor these delightful cruffins to fit your taste buds!
- Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle chocolate chips between the layers for an indulgent twist that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Fruit Filling: Swap the blueberry jam for raspberry or apricot preserves to surprise your palate with new fruity flavors.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Dust the top with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar pre-baking for a warm, spiced flavor that’s simply irresistible.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the filling for an extra crunchy texture in each bite.
- Coconut Flakes: Mix shredded coconut into the jam filling for a tropical twist that pairs wonderfully with blueberry.
- Savory Version: Incorporate some cheese like feta or goat cheese in the filling for a savory alternative that pairs beautifully with herbs.
- Glazed Finish: Instead of powdered sugar, drizzle a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk over the cooled cruffins for added sweetness.
- Spicy Kick: Add a touch of chili flakes to your jam for a surprising kick that complements the sweetness of the blueberries.
Every variation brings a new dimension to these delightful treats—explore your favorites!
Make Ahead Options
These Blueberry Cruffins are perfect for busy home cooks looking to save time without sacrificing quality! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance by following the first 17 steps of the recipe, then cover and refrigerate it after you’ve shaped the cruffins in the popover pan. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for about 2-3 hours before baking, as this helps maintain the light, airy texture. If desired, you can also bake the cruffins the day before, and simply reheat them in the oven for 5-10 minutes before serving. With these make-ahead tips, enjoy delightful, freshly filled Blueberry Cruffins with minimal effort!
What to Serve with Blueberry Cruffins?
Indulge in a delightful brunch or snack experience, complementing the flaky sweetness of these cruffins.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant mix of seasonal fruits adds a refreshing balance to the rich flavors of cruffins.
- Lemon Curd: This tangy spread contrasts beautifully with the sweet blueberry jam, elevating each bite to new heights.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait: Creamy yogurt layered with granola and berries creates a delicious contrast that enhances the cruffins’ textures.
- Chai Latte: The warm, spiced flavors of chai harmonize perfectly with the buttery notes of the cruffins.
- Nutella Drizzle: For a decadent twist, drizzle warm Nutella over your cruffins for an indulgent treat that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Iced Coffee: A refreshing iced coffee complements the buttery flavors without overpowering the delightful sweetness of the cruffins.
- Honey Drizzle: A light drizzle of honey adds a floral sweetness that enhances the blueberry jam filling and brings everything together.
- Cheese Platter: A selection of creamy cheeses offers a savory touch that pairs nicely with the sweetness of the cruffins.
- Buttermilk Pancakes: Serve alongside stacks of fluffy pancakes for a brunch spread that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Storage Tips for Blueberry Cruffins
Room Temperature: Keep your Blueberry Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their freshness and flavor.
Fridge: If you need to store them longer, place the cruffins in the fridge where they can stay fresh for up to a week. Just be sure to seal them well to prevent drying out.
Freezer: To preserve them for months, wrap each cruffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warmed through.
Blueberry Cruffins Recipe FAQs
How do I choose the right flour for my Blueberry Cruffins?
Absolutely! The combination of bread flour and all-purpose flour is key here: bread flour gives that wonderful chewy texture and structure due to its higher protein content, while all-purpose flour adds lightness and fluffiness. Choose unbleached versions for the best flavor and texture results.
What’s the best way to store Blueberry Cruffins?
Keep your Blueberry Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you plan to keep them longer, the fridge works well too; they can last for up to a week but make sure to seal them tightly to prevent them from drying out.
Can I freeze my Blueberry Cruffins?
Yes, you can! Wrap each cruffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes for the best texture, or microwave for 20-30 seconds until warmed through.
What should I do if my dough doesn’t rise properly?
Very! If your dough isn’t rising, it might be due to inactive yeast. Make sure your yeast is fresh—check its expiration date! Also, ensure the water was at the right temperature (lukewarm – about 110°F) to activate the yeast effectively. If it’s a cold day, try placing the dough in a slightly warm oven or a corner of your kitchen that’s cozy and draft-free.
Are there any dietary considerations for Blueberry Cruffins?
Definitely! If you have allergies, be mindful of the gluten in the flours and butter content. You can substitute a gluten-free flour mix for the bread and all-purpose flours, and use a dairy-free butter alternative to make the recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions. Always check labels for any possible allergens!
Blueberry Cruffins: The Best Croissant-Muffin Fusion Ever
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a standing mixer bowl with a dough hook, combine the bread flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, and sugar until well blended.
- Pour in the luke-warm filtered water and knead on low speed until a shaggy dough appears, about 3 minutes.
- Add the 50 grams of softened butter cubes and knead for 5 minutes on low or until combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for about 45 minutes.
- Lightly grease your popover pan with shortening and dust it with flour.
- Move the dough to a floured surface and divide it into 6 equal portions.
- Flatten one portion of dough to about ½ inch thick and pass it through a pasta roller on the widest setting.
- Fold the flattened dough in thirds and roll it through the pasta roller again on the widest setting.
- Cut the dough in half.
- Dust both sides of one half and pass it through the pasta roller until you reach the thinnest setting.
- Butter one side of each half using the 165 grams of room temperature butter.
- Roll up one buttered half of the dough tightly.
- Place the rolled dough at one end of the second buttered dough half and roll them together to form a fat roll.
- Cut your rolled dough in half lengthwise.
- Place each half into a cup of the popover pan, cut-side facing outward.
- Follow the process until all 6 pieces of dough are used.
- Loosely cover the popover pan with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 400˚F and place a sheet pan underneath the popover pan. Bake until golden brown and puffed up, about 20-30 minutes.
- Allow the cruffins to cool in the pan for around 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Fill each cruffin with blueberry jam until you feel resistance.
- Lightly dust the tops of each cruffin with powdered sugar.