Description
This Cheesy Garlic Cruffin recipe combines the flaky, buttery texture of a croissant with the convenience of a muffin shape, filled with a flavorful garlic butter and topped with a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a savory snack, these homemade cruffins are golden, cheesy, and infused with fresh garlic and parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 large egg
Filling Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures even distribution of the yeast and seasonings.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and warm water. These liquids help activate the yeast and form the dough.
- Incorporate Egg: Crack the egg into the bowl and begin to mix the ingredients together using a wooden spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten for structure.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size, allowing the yeast to ferment and create air pockets.
- Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, mix the minced garlic, softened butter, and chopped fresh parsley in a small bowl to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: Once risen, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, creating the base for layering the filling and cheese.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over the surface of the dough, ensuring each bite has flavorful garlic notes.
- Add Cheeses: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the garlic butter, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese for a rich, cheesy flavor and gooey texture.
- Roll Dough Log: Carefully roll the dough into a log starting from one of the long edges, creating layers inside the cruffin.
- Slice Portions: Slice the dough log into 8 to 10 equal portions, depending on the size of your muffin tin, for uniform cruffins.
- Arrange in Muffin Tin: Place each slice vertically into a muffin cup to create the iconic layered, spiral shape.
- Second Rise: Cover the muffin tin with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest for another 20 minutes to rise slightly, ensuring fluffiness.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cruffins are golden brown on top, cooked through, and the cheese is bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cruffins from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before removing from the muffin tin to retain their shape.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy garlic cruffins warm, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Ensure liquid ingredients are warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast.
- Knead thoroughly to develop gluten for a fluffy texture.
- Resting times are important for proper dough rising—do not rush.
- Muffin tin size affects the number of cruffins and baking time slightly.
- Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
