Cheesy Garlic Cruffin
Indulge in the ultimate fusion of flaky croissant and savory muffin with these irresistible Cheesy Garlic Cruffins. Crafted from convenient crescent roll dough, each golden spiral is generously layered with a garlicky, chive-infused butter and abundant sharp cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection and brushed with an aromatic garlic butter topping, these cruffins deliver a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite, making them ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delectable appetizer.
Prep Time
45 minutes
Cook Time
20-25 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Servings
Makes 12 cruffins
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Irresistibly flaky layers and a tender interior in every bite.
- Exploding with the aromatic flavors of garlic, chives, and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Surprisingly simple to make thanks to the use of convenient refrigerated crescent roll dough.
- A versatile dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, a savory snack, or an appetizer at any gathering.
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that comes together in just over an hour from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 3 tubes (approximately 227 g each / 8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- 113 g (½ cup / 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) chives, finely chopped
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) garlic, minced
- 339 g (3 cups) mild cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 45 ml (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) garlic, minced
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) chives, finely chopped
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Set the prepared tin aside, ensuring it's ready for the cruffin assembly.
- On a lightly floured work surface, carefully unroll and roll out each tube of crescent roll dough to create a 30 cm by 40 cm (12×16-inch) rectangle. If you are using crescent roll dough with perforations, be sure to firmly pinch and seal all the seams to create a continuous sheet.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, finely chopped chives, and minced garlic for the filling. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until well combined and aromatic.
- Take one rolled-out sheet of dough and evenly spread about one-third of the prepared butter mixture over its entire surface. Ensure the butter is distributed from edge to edge.
- Evenly sprinkle 113 g (1 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese over the butter-covered dough sheet. The cheese will adhere to the butter, creating a delicious layer.
- Starting from one of the long ends of the dough sheet, tightly roll the dough into a compact log. Rolling tightly is crucial for the classic cruffin spiral.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled log in half, creating two shorter, equally sized logs. Then, cut each of these shorter logs in half lengthwise, which will yield four sections of dough, each with visible layers.
- Repeat the spreading, rolling, and cutting process with the remaining two sheets of crescent roll dough. By the end of this step, you will have a total of 12 individual sections of dough.
- Take one section of dough, ensuring the layered side is facing outwards. Tightly roll this section into a spiral shape, similar to a cinnamon roll, gently tucking in the end piece to secure it. This forms the cruffin's signature appearance.
- Carefully place the formed cruffin spiral into one of the cups of the prepared muffin tin. Repeat this process with the remaining 11 dough sections, filling all 12 cups of the muffin tin.
- Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they achieve a beautiful golden brown color and are puffed. While the cruffins are baking, prepare the garlic butter topping.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, 5 ml (1 teaspoon) minced garlic, 5 ml (1 teaspoon) finely chopped chives, and 5 ml (1 teaspoon) kosher salt until thoroughly combined.
- Thirteenth Step: Once the cruffins are removed from the oven and are still warm, immediately brush the prepared garlic butter topping generously over the surface of each baked cruffin. This allows the butter to soak in and enhance the flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
- Standard 12-cup muffin tin
- Mixing bowls (medium and small)
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife
- Pastry brush
- Measuring spoons and cups
Essential Success Tips
- Ensure your butter for the filling is truly softened to room temperature; this makes it much easier to spread evenly across the delicate dough without tearing.
- When rolling out the dough, aim for a consistent, thin rectangle (30×40 cm) but be gentle to prevent tearing, which can compromise the flakiness.
- Roll the dough logs as tightly as possible. A tight roll is key to achieving those beautiful, distinct spirals and layers in your finished cruffins.
- Monitor your oven closely during baking; the goal is a radiant golden brown, not dark or overly crispy, to ensure a tender interior.
- Brush the garlic butter topping over the cruffins immediately after they come out of the oven. The warmth helps the butter absorb fully, infusing maximum flavor and a beautiful sheen.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- Infuse your butter deeply: Before mixing the filling, gently warm the softened butter with the minced garlic and chives in a small saucepan over low heat for a few minutes. Let it cool slightly before spreading. This 'blooming' process intensifies the aromatic compounds, leading to a richer garlic flavor.
- Add a textural surprise: Incorporate a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan cheese into the shredded cheddar for the filling. This adds an extra layer of salty, umami depth and can contribute to a slightly crispier edge.
- Elevate the finish: For a gourmet touch, sprinkle a tiny amount of flaky sea salt over the warm, buttered cruffins just before serving. The delicate crunch and burst of salinity beautifully complement the rich, savory flavors.
Notes
- Storage: Store any cooled Cheesy Garlic Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their freshness.
- Reheating: To enjoy them warm again, reheat cruffins in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-7 minutes, or until they are warmed through and the cheese is slightly gooey.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties, such as Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or an Italian blend. For a subtle kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare Cheesy Garlic Cruffins ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the cruffins and place them in the muffin tin, then cover and refrigerate them overnight. Before baking, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to take the chill off, then bake as directed.
What kind of crescent roll dough works best for this recipe?
Refrigerated crescent roll sheets are ideal as they come without perforations, simplifying the process. If you use regular crescent roll dough, simply pinch the seams together firmly to create a solid, seamless sheet.
Can I freeze these Cheesy Garlic Cruffins?
Yes, baked and cooled cruffins can be frozen for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw them at room temperature for an hour, then warm them in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: Approximately 380-420 per cruffin, Protein: 12-15g, Fat: 28-32g, Carbohydrates: 22-26g (Estimates based on typical ingredients and serving size.)
Allergy Information
This dish contains dairy (butter, cheese) and gluten (crescent roll dough). For a gluten-free version, look for certified gluten-free crescent roll dough alternatives, though texture may vary.
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