Name: Chocolate Filled Cruffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough or 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen); 2 tbsp melted butter (plus more for brushing); ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (dark, milk, or semi-sweet); Granulated sugar (optional, for sprinkling); Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Chocolate Filled Cruffins are the perfect combination of a croissant and a muffin—crispy, flaky layers wrapped into a muffin shape, filled with rich, melty chocolate. They’re buttery, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to make at home using a shortcut dough. When I want to bake something that looks fancy but doesn’t require a full day of lamination, this recipe always hits the spot.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love these cruffins because they taste like a bakery pastry but come together with minimal effort. The chocolate filling melts into the folds of dough, creating gooey pockets inside the crispy outer layers. They look impressive, smell amazing straight from the oven, and are just the right mix of sweet, buttery, and flaky. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Chocolate Filled Cruffins

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry sheets
Melted butter (for brushing)
Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (dark, milk, or semi-sweet)
Granulated sugar (optional for rolling)
Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin.
I roll out the crescent roll dough or puff pastry into a rectangle and brush it lightly with melted butter.
I sprinkle the dough with chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate, then roll it up tightly from the long end into a log.
I slice the log in half lengthwise to expose the layers, then twist each half into a spiral and coil it into a muffin tin slot.
I brush the tops with more butter and optionally sprinkle with a bit of sugar for extra crunch.
I bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
I let them cool for 5–10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 6 cruffins and takes about 15 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to bake, for a total of around 35 minutes. They’re best served warm but still delicious at room temperature.

Variations

I sometimes spread Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread instead of using chocolate chips.
For a cinnamon roll-style cruffin, I skip the chocolate and use cinnamon sugar and butter instead.
I’ve also filled them with raspberry jam or Biscoff spread for different flavor twists.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I pop them in the oven at 300°F for about 5–7 minutes or microwave for 15 seconds—just enough to melt the chocolate again. Chocolate Filled Cruffins

FAQs

Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?

Yes, and it makes the cruffins even flakier. I thaw it first, roll it out slightly, and proceed with the same steps.

How do I get the best layers?

I slice the rolled dough cleanly with a sharp knife and twist it gently to keep the layers intact. Puff pastry gives the most pronounced layers.

Can I make these ahead?

I assemble the cruffins the night before, cover the pan, and refrigerate. In the morning, I bake them fresh.

What’s the best chocolate to use?

I prefer chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate for melty pockets, but mini chocolate chips also work well and distribute evenly.

Do I need to use a muffin tin?

Yes, it helps the cruffins hold their shape and rise beautifully. A non-stick tin works best or I grease it well to prevent sticking.

Conclusion

Chocolate Filled Cruffins are a delicious, bakery-style treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. With flaky layers, gooey chocolate, and a beautiful spiral shape, they’re guaranteed to impress. Whether I serve them at brunch, as dessert, or with a cup of coffee, these cruffins are always a crowd-pleaser.