Easy Gluten Free Cruffins Recipe

Introduction

Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, offering layers of flaky, buttery dough with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. This easy gluten-free recipe helps you enjoy this bakery favorite at home without the fuss of traditional laminated dough.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar (for yeast mixture)
• 1 cup milk (warmed to 110º F)
• 3 cups gluten free flour blend
• ½ cup cane sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (frozen)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup cane sugar (for cinnamon sugar mix)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• ¼ cup cane sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk to 110º F and stir in 1 tablespoon cane sugar and the active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 200º F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the gluten free flour blend, ½ cup cane sugar, and salt. Grate the frozen unsalted butter into the flour mixture, distributing it evenly.
3. Step 3: Add the yeast mixture and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix gently until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Mix together ½ cup cane sugar with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon and sprinkle this sugar-cinnamon mix evenly over the dough.
5. Step 5: Cut the dough into strips, then roll each strip tightly. Place the rolled strips into a greased muffin pan, one roll per cup.
6. Step 6: Let the shaped cruffins rise once at room temperature until puffed up, about 30 minutes. Do not expect a double rise, as gluten free dough only rises well once.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven at 200º F for 30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
8. Step 8: Brush the warm cruffins with melted butter, then roll them in a mixture of ¼ cup cane sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for a sweet, flavorful coating.

Tips & Variations

• Using frozen butter helps create the flaky layers typical of croissant dough even in gluten-free baking.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and vegan butter.
• Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit inside before rolling for extra texture and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh, warm them briefly in a toaster oven or microwave until soft and buttery. For longer storage, freeze cruffins wrapped tightly and reheat before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different flour blend?

Yes, but make sure the blend is suitable for gluten-free baking and includes a binder like xanthan gum for the best texture.

Why does gluten-free dough only rise once?

Gluten-free dough lacks the elasticity of wheat dough, so it doesn’t trap air as effectively. Shaping before rising ensures the best final texture.

Easy Gluten Free Cruffins Recipe

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4.8 from 77 reviews

This easy gluten free cruffins recipe combines the flakiness of croissants with the convenience of muffins, making a perfect breakfast or brunch treat. Made with a gluten free flour blend and infused with cinnamon sugar, these cruffins offer a deliciously buttery and sweet experience without gluten. The recipe uses a yeast mixture for leavening and is baked to golden perfection before being brushed with butter and coated in cinnamon sugar for an irresistible finish.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 cruffins 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Yeast Mixture

• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar
• 1 cup milk (warmed to 110º F)

Cruffins

• 3 cups gluten free flour blend
• ½ cup cane sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (frozen)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Layers and Coating

• ½ cup cane sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• ¼ cup cane sugar (for rolling)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Make the Yeast Mixture: Warm the milk to 110ºF and dissolve 1 tablespoon of cane sugar in it. Stir in the active dry yeast, then let the mixture sit undisturbed until it becomes frothy, about 5-10 minutes. Preheat your oven to 200ºF during this time.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the gluten free flour blend, ½ cup cane sugar, and salt evenly.
3. Add Butter to Flour: Using a grater, grate the frozen unsalted butter into the flour mixture. This helps create a flaky texture similar to croissants.
4. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Pour the frothy yeast mixture and vanilla extract into the flour and butter and gently mix until just combined into a dough.
5. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick.
6. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: Combine ½ cup cane sugar with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
7. Add Cinnamon Sugar Layer: Brush the melted butter over the rolled dough, then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
8. Shape the Cruffins: Cut the dough into strips, roll each strip tightly like a cinnamon roll, and place each roll into the cups of a muffin pan.
9. Let Rise: Allow the shaped cruffins to rise once more until puffed, about 30 minutes. Note that gluten free dough only rises well this one time after shaping.
10. Bake: Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven at 200ºF for 30 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
11. Finish with Butter and Sugar: Immediately brush the baked cruffins with melted butter and roll them in a mixture of ¼ cup cane sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for a sweet, crunchy coating.

Notes

• Gluten free dough only allows one good rise, so make sure to shape the cruffins before the rising step.
• Milk should be warmed carefully to 110ºF to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Freezing the butter before grating helps achieve a flaky texture similar to traditional croissants.
• Use a gluten free flour blend suitable for baking for best results.
• Serve freshly baked for the best texture and flavor.

Keywords: gluten free, cruffins, cinnamon sugar, breakfast, brunch, easy recipe