The Secret to the Perfect Dough: Laminated Sourdough

The magic of cruffins lies in their dough, which is a laminated sourdough dough. Laminating dough involves folding it over itself multiple times, incorporating layers of butter in between to create the flaky, layered texture that defines pastries like croissants. By using sourdough starter (levain) in the dough, the cruffins gain a unique depth of flavor, providing a subtle tanginess that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the butter and the sweetness of the hazelnuts.

To start, the dough is mixed with bread flour, water, milk, brown sugar, and salt. The levain helps the dough rise slowly, contributing to a more complex flavor. After the dough is kneaded, it’s rested in the fridge for several hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors to develop and the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll and shape.

The Butter Mixture: Creating Flaky Layers

The butter mixture is what gives the cruffins their signature flakiness. By blending cold butter with all-purpose flour, you create a spreadable paste that can be evenly spread over the dough. This mixture is crucial for creating the layers in the laminated dough. The butter helps the dough puff up when baked, forming delicate, crispy layers while keeping the inside soft and airy.

When spreading the butter mixture over the dough, it’s important to cover the surface evenly, ensuring each layer gets a generous coating. After the butter is applied, the dough is folded to create layers, and the process of chilling the dough further allows the butter to set, making the next folding process easier.

The Hazelnut Sugar: Nutty and Sweet

The addition of hazelnut sugar takes these cruffins to the next level. To make the hazelnut sugar, roasted hazelnuts are ground with sugar in a food processor until it reaches a sandy texture. This mixture is then sprinkled over the dough, infusing each cruffin with the deep, earthy flavor of hazelnuts. As the cruffins bake, the sugar caramelizes, adding a golden sweetness to the outer layers and enhancing the rich, nutty flavor.

The hazelnut sugar adds the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness to the cruffins, making every bite more complex and flavorful. It also creates a beautiful golden-brown crust on the cruffins once baked, making them irresistible.

Shaping and Assembling the Cruffins

Once the dough has been laminated and chilled, it’s time to assemble the cruffins. The dough is rolled out into a large rectangle, and the hazelnut sugar is sprinkled generously over the surface. The dough is then rolled lengthwise into a log, creating a spiral that will result in the characteristic swirl of the cruffin when sliced.

The rolled dough is then sliced into 8 pieces, each one placed into a muffin tin to rise. It’s important to let the dough rise for 2-3 hours (until it doubles in size) to ensure that the cruffins puff up beautifully in the oven. The slow rise allows the dough to become airy and light, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture once baked.

Baking the Cruffins: Golden and Crispy

Once the cruffins have risen, they are ready to be baked. The oven should be preheated to 200°C (392°F), and the cruffins should be baked for about 30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. The high heat causes the laminated layers to puff up, resulting in the perfect texture: crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

During baking, the hazelnut sugar will melt and caramelize, adding a deliciously sweet crust to the cruffins. The end result is a golden-brown pastry that is flaky, buttery, and infused with the rich flavor of hazelnuts.

Serving and Enjoying Hazelnut Sourdough Cruffins

Once the cruffins are out of the oven, let them cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin. For an extra touch of sweetness and flavor, you can dust the cruffins with a little more hazelnut sugar before serving.

These cruffins are best enjoyed warm, when they are at their crispiest. They can be served for breakfast, dessert, or as a treat with your afternoon tea. Their buttery, nutty flavor pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them the perfect indulgence for any occasion.

Conclusion

Hazelnut Sourdough Cruffins are a delightful fusion of two beloved pastries—croissants and muffins—combined with the rich, nutty flavor of roasted hazelnuts. The use of sourdough starter in the dough gives these cruffins a unique depth of flavor, while the flaky layers and hazelnut sugar topping add texture and sweetness. Whether you’re looking for a special breakfast treat or a delicious dessert, these cruffins are sure to impress with their golden, crispy exterior and soft, buttery interior. A perfect balance of flavors and textures, they’re a must-try for pastry lovers and those looking to experiment with new and exciting recipes.