Peach Pie Cruffins Recipe: The Perfect Pastry Hybrid Recipe
I stumbled upon the magic of cruffins during a particularly chaotic weekend when I needed something impressive for a brunch gathering but had zero time for complicated baking.
After experimenting with different fillings and techniques, I finally perfected these peach pie cruffins that combine the flaky, buttery goodness of croissants with the convenient muffin shape.
The sweet peach filling with warm cinnamon creates those classic pie flavors we all crave, while the twisted layers make each bite an adventure of textures.
I’ve made these countless times since that first batch, and they never fail to impress guests who assume I spent hours in the kitchen when really, they come together in just 35 minutes. You also try the Churro Saltine Toffee Recipe for a new experience.
Ingredients for Peach Pie Cruffins Recipe
- 2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll dough – The secret to getting flaky, buttery layers without the hassle of making pastry from scratch, plus the dough stays cold and workable
- 2/3 cup peach preserves or thick peach jam – Look for brands with visible fruit pieces for authentic texture and concentrated peachy flavor that won’t make the pastry soggy
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Freshly ground provides the best warm spice notes that transform simple peach into pie filling perfection
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – Essential for a smooth, lump-free glaze that drizzles beautifully and sets with the right consistency
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream – Creates the silky texture needed for proper glaze coverage and luxurious mouthfeel
Note: This recipe serves 12 people as individual pastries, perfect for a family brunch or small gathering.
Variations to Try
Transform these cruffins to match any season or dietary need. For dairy-free versions, substitute the heavy cream in the glaze with full-fat coconut milk or your favorite plant-based cream.
- Sugar-conscious bakers can use sugar-free peach preserves and replace powdered sugar with powdered erythritol for the glaze.
- Flavor enhancers include adding a tablespoon of bourbon to the peach mixture for adults, mixing in fresh diced peaches during summer months, or substituting apple butter with extra cinnamon for fall variations.
- Winter calls for cranberry-orange preserves, while spring welcomes strawberry or apricot versions.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Equipment You Need
- Standard 12-cup muffin tin – Shapes the cruffins and ensures even baking temperatures
- Sharp knife – Clean cuts through dough layers without dragging or tearing
- Small mixing bowls – Separate containers for combining preserves and making glaze
- Whisk – Eliminates lumps in the glaze for smooth, professional results
- Wire cooling rack – Allows air circulation for proper cooling and texture
- Spoon or offset spatula – Even spreading of preserves prevents overflow during baking
How to Make Peach Pie Cruffins Recipe
Prep Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing your muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking. Clear a clean work surface for rolling and shaping the dough, keeping your ingredients within easy reach.
The key to success lies in working quickly once the dough comes to room temperature, so having everything organized makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Create the Filling Mixture
Combine the peach preserves and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, stirring until the spices are evenly distributed throughout. This simple mixture transforms ordinary preserves into that signature peach pie flavor we’re after. The cinnamon not only adds warmth but also helps balance the sweetness of the fruit.
Prepare the Dough Base
Open your first can of crescent dough and carefully unroll it onto your work surface, pressing the perforated seams together firmly to create one solid rectangle. This step is crucial for preventing filling from leaking through during the rolling process.
If the dough feels sticky, a light dusting of flour helps, but avoid using too much as it can dry out the final product.
Apply the Peachy Goodness
Spread about one-third of your peach-cinnamon mixture evenly across the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges. Use the back of a spoon to create an even layer that reaches nearly to the edges but doesn’t overflow.
This technique ensures every bite contains that perfect balance of flaky pastry and fruity filling.
Master the Rolling Technique
Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a compact log, maintaining even pressure throughout to avoid air pockets. Once rolled, cut the log in half crosswise to create two manageable pieces.
Then comes the magic – carefully slice each half lengthwise down the middle, exposing those beautiful layers and the peachy filling within.
Create the Signature Twist
Take each strip and gently twist it to showcase the filling, then coil each twisted piece into a spiral shape with the layers facing upward.
Place each shaped cruffin into a greased muffin cup, ensuring the spiral sits nicely and the layers are visible. This twisting technique is what transforms ordinary rolled pastries into those Instagram-worthy cruffins.
Repeat and Bake
Continue the process with your remaining can of dough until all 12 muffin cups are filled with beautiful spiral cruffins. Bake for 18-20 minutes until they’re golden brown and puffed up, with some filling bubbling slightly around the edges. The kitchen will smell absolutely incredible during this time.
Finish with Glaze
While the cruffins cool for about 5 minutes, whisk together your powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth and pourable.
Drizzle this glaze generously over the still-warm pastries, allowing it to seep into all those lovely crevices and layers. The contrast between warm pastry and cool glaze creates the perfect finishing touch.
Additional Tips for Making This Recipe Better
- I always keep my crescent dough well-chilled until the moment I need it, as cold dough creates those coveted flaky layers that make cruffins special.
- After many batches, I’ve learned that spreading the filling too thickly leads to overflow and messy muffin tins, so I stick to thin, even layers that stay put during baking.
- I found that letting the baked cruffins rest for exactly 5 minutes before glazing gives the perfect balance – they’re still warm enough for the glaze to partially absorb but cool enough that it doesn’t completely melt away.
- My secret weapon is using a pizza cutter instead of a knife for slicing the dough logs – it glides through without dragging and creates the cleanest cuts.
- I always make extra glaze because there’s nothing worse than running out when you’re trying to make these look bakery-perfect, plus people love extra drizzles.
How to Serve Peach Pie Cruffins
These versatile pastries shine in multiple settings throughout the day. For breakfast, arrange them on a platter with fresh berries and Greek yogurt for a balanced morning spread that looks effortlessly elegant.
During brunch gatherings, they pair beautifully with savory egg dishes and provide that perfect sweet element guests crave. As an afternoon treat, serve them slightly warmed with coffee or black tea to enhance the cinnamon notes.
For dessert presentations, warm individual cruffins for 30 seconds in the microwave and top with vanilla ice cream for an elevated peach pie à la mode experience that will have everyone asking for your secret.
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Nutritional Information
Each cruffin provides a satisfying treat with balanced macronutrients:
- Calories: Approximately 245 per cruffin, making them a reasonable indulgence for special occasions
- Protein: 3 grams from the enriched flour in the crescent dough
- Carbohydrates: 38 grams primarily from the dough and peach preserves
- Fat: 10 grams from the buttery layers in the pastry dough
Make Ahead and Storage
- Room Temperature Storage: Store completely cooled cruffins in an airtight container for up to two days, maintaining their texture and flavor perfectly. The glaze may soften slightly but won’t affect the overall enjoyment.
- Refrigeration: For longer freshness, refrigerated cruffins stay good for up to five days when properly wrapped. Bring them to room temperature or warm slightly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before serving to restore that fresh-baked texture.
- Freezing Options: Freeze unfrosted cruffins individually wrapped for up to one month, then thaw completely at room temperature before glazing. This method preserves the flaky texture better than freezing glazed versions, though both options work when you need make-ahead convenience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort and skill required.
- Beginner-Friendly Success: Even novice bakers achieve bakery-quality results using store-bought crescent dough, eliminating the intimidation factor of working with laminated pastry dough. The simple techniques require no special skills or equipment, making success virtually guaranteed.
- Impressive Visual Appeal: The twisted spiral shape and golden layers create an Instagram-worthy presentation that makes people assume you’re an experienced pastry chef. Guests consistently ask for the recipe because they can’t believe something so beautiful came from such simple ingredients.
- Versatile Flavor Canvas: The basic technique works with countless preserve and spice combinations, letting you customize for seasons, holidays, or personal preferences. From apple cinnamon to strawberry basil, the possibilities keep this recipe exciting and never boring.
- Quick Weekend Luxury: Transform ordinary weekend mornings into special occasions with these 35-minute pastries that fill your kitchen with bakery aromas. They’re perfect for spontaneous entertaining when unexpected guests arrive or when you want to treat your family to something special.
- Crowd-Pleasing Guarantee: Every time I’ve served these, from potlucks to holiday brunches, they disappear first and generate the most compliments. The combination of familiar peach pie flavors in an unexpected format appeals to both adventurous eaters and comfort food lovers alike.
Peach Pie Cruffins Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing your muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking. Clear a clean work surface for rolling and shaping the dough, keeping your ingredients within easy reach.
- The key to success lies in working quickly once the dough comes to room temperature, so having everything organized makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
- Combine the peach preserves and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, stirring until the spices are evenly distributed throughout. This simple mixture transforms ordinary preserves into that signature peach pie flavor we’re after. The cinnamon not only adds warmth but also helps balance the sweetness of the fruit.
- Open your first can of crescent dough and carefully unroll it onto your work surface, pressing the perforated seams together firmly to create one solid rectangle. This step is crucial for preventing filling from leaking through during the rolling process.
- If the dough feels sticky, a light dusting of flour helps, but avoid using too much as it can dry out the final product.
- Spread about one-third of your peach-cinnamon mixture evenly across the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges. Use the back of a spoon to create an even layer that reaches nearly to the edges but doesn’t overflow.
- This technique ensures every bite contains that perfect balance of flaky pastry and fruity filling.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a compact log, maintaining even pressure throughout to avoid air pockets. Once rolled, cut the log in half crosswise to create two manageable pieces.
- Then comes the magic – carefully slice each half lengthwise down the middle, exposing those beautiful layers and the peachy filling within.
- Take each strip and gently twist it to showcase the filling, then coil each twisted piece into a spiral shape with the layers facing upward.
- Place each shaped cruffin into a greased muffin cup, ensuring the spiral sits nicely and the layers are visible. This twisting technique is what transforms ordinary rolled pastries into those Instagram-worthy cruffins.
- Continue the process with your remaining can of dough until all 12 muffin cups are filled with beautiful spiral cruffins. Bake for 18-20 minutes until they’re golden brown and puffed up, with some filling bubbling slightly around the edges. The kitchen will smell absolutely incredible during this time.
- While the cruffins cool for about 5 minutes, whisk together your powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle this glaze generously over the still-warm pastries, allowing it to seep into all those lovely crevices and layers. The contrast between warm pastry and cool glaze creates the perfect finishing touch.