Name: Cheesy Garlic Cruffins
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tubes crescent roll sheets.; 1/2 cup butter, softened.; 1 tbsp chives.; 1 tbsp minced garlic.; 3 cups cheddar cheese.; 3 tbsp melted butter for topping.; 1 tsp garlic for topping.; 1 tsp chives for topping.; 1 tsp kosher salt.

A close-up of beautifully baked pastry rolls garnished with green herbs, showcasing their flaky, spiral layers. | lifesugar.co

Get ready to fall in love with my absolute favorite twist on breakfast pastries! After countless experiments in my kitchen trying to create something special, I stumbled upon these incredible Cheesy Garlic Cruffins. They combine buttery crescent dough layers with melty cheese and fresh garlic in the most magical way. Every time I make these for brunch gatherings, people practically beg for the recipe.

What Makes These So Special

Let me tell you why these cruffins have become my signature recipe. The crescent dough creates these gorgeous flaky layers that puff up beautifully in the oven. Inside you'll find pockets of gooey melted cheddar that make your mouth water just looking at them. Fresh garlic and chives add the perfect savory kick. I love how versatile they are too serve them as appetizers fancy them up for brunch or enjoy them as a cozy side dish. Best of all they're ready in just 45 minutes!

Gathering Your Ingredients

Let's start with our star ingredients. You'll need some refrigerated crescent roll sheets for the base. For our heavenly filling we're using butter fresh garlic chives and plenty of sharp cheddar cheese. We'll finish everything with a brush of garlic butter sprinkle of salt and extra chives for that perfect final touch.

Starting Our Cruffin Journey

First things first warm up your oven to 350°F and grab your muffin tin. Give it a good coating of cooking spray we don't want any sticking. Now's the fun part take those crescent sheets and carefully pinch all the seams together. We're aiming for three nice big rectangles about 12 by 16 inches each these will be the foundation of our cruffins.

A close-up of golden, flaky pastry swirls garnished with green herbs on a wooden surface. | lifesugar.co

Creating The Magic Filling

While your dough is waiting mix up that incredible filling. Take your softened butter and blend it with minced garlic and fresh chives until it's perfectly combined. Spread this gorgeous mixture all over your dough rectangles getting right to the edges. Then comes my favorite part showering everything with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese.

Shaping Our Beautiful Cruffins

Now we're going to transform this flat dough into something amazing. Roll each rectangle into a tight log starting from the long side. Cut these logs in half then slice them lengthwise to create those stunning layers. Gently twist each piece into a spiral and nestle them into your prepared muffin tin. Don't worry if they're not perfect they'll bake up beautifully.

Time to Bake

Pop your cruffins into the preheated oven and let them work their magic for about 20 to 25 minutes. You're looking for that perfect golden brown color and they should be nicely puffed up. I always start checking at the 20-minute mark because there's nothing sadder than an overbaked cruffin.

The Finishing Touch

While your cruffins are baking whip up that final layer of flavor. Melt some butter and stir in minced garlic chives and just a pinch of salt. As soon as those beauties come out of the oven brush them generously with this mixture. The heat helps the butter seep into all those flaky layers creating absolute perfection.

A basket filled with golden, spiraled pastry rolls topped with green herbs. | lifesugar.co

The Numbers Game

If you're counting each cruffin comes in at 270 calories with 18 grams of fat (10 of those saturated). You're looking at 18 grams of carbs 6 grams of protein and about 310 mg of sodium. Worth every single bite in my opinion!

Serving Up Smiles

These beauties are so versatile. Set them out as appetizers with some marinara or ranch for dipping. They're absolutely perfect alongside a steaming bowl of tomato basil soup. I love including them in my brunch spreads they disappear in minutes! And don't forget they make any salad feel extra special.

My Best Kitchen Secrets

After making countless batches I've learned some important tricks. Always take time to seal those dough seams really well otherwise the cheese might escape. Keep your dough cold until you're ready to use it makes it so much easier to work with. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses my family loves them with smoky gouda or sharp parmesan too. And never skimp on that final garlic butter brush it's what takes them from good to absolutely amazing.

A close-up image of golden-brown, spiral-shaped pastry rolls garnished with green herbs, placed on a cooling rack. | lifesugar.co

Common Questions Answered

Let me answer the questions I get asked most often about these beauties. Cruffins are this magical hybrid between croissants and muffins hence the fun name. Yes you can absolutely freeze them they keep well for up to two months. Feel free to switch up the cheese any melty variety works wonderfully. And if you're craving something sweet try filling them with cinnamon sugar or chocolate instead it's like having a whole different treat.

Making Them Your Own

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it. Add some red pepper flakes if you love a bit of heat. Switch out the chives for whatever fresh herbs you have on hand parsley and scallions work beautifully. Sometimes I even use pizza dough as the base for a slightly different but equally delicious texture.

Creating A Complete Meal

These cruffins shine brightest when paired with your favorite comfort foods. Serve them alongside a hearty soup creamy pasta or roasted chicken. They're perfect for soaking up sauce and their savory garlic flavor complements just about any main dish you can imagine.

Golden, flaky pastries shaped like nests with melted cheese and herbs inside are presented on a plate. | lifesugar.co

Keeping Them Fresh

Your cruffins will stay delicious for a couple of days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. When you're ready to enjoy them again pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes they'll come out almost as good as fresh. For longer storage freeze them well wrapped for up to two months just thaw and reheat whenever the craving strikes.

More Than Just A Recipe

These Cheesy Garlic Cruffins have become so much more than just another recipe in my collection. They're my go-to for making any meal special bringing smiles to family gatherings and filling my kitchen with the most incredible aroma. Give them a try and I promise they'll become a favorite in your home too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What are cruffins?: Cruffins are a hybrid pastry combining croissant-style layering with a muffin shape, in this case made easier using crescent roll dough.
→ Can I make these ahead?: These are best served fresh and warm. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
→ What if my crescent dough has perforations?: If using perforated dough, simply pinch the seams together to create a solid sheet before adding filling.
→ Can I add more garlic?: Yes, you can increase the amount of garlic in both filling and topping for a more intense flavor.
→ How do I know when they're done?: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed up. The layers should be visibly flaky.

Conclusion

Cruffins are a delightful hybrid pastry that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape of a muffin. These cheesy garlic cruffins offer a savory twist on a classic pastry, using convenient crescent roll dough to create a delicious appetizer or side dish.

Cheesy Garlic Cruffins