Introduction: Who doesn’t love the comforting aroma of freshly baked apple pie wafting through the house? Imagine that scent combined with the buttery flakiness of a croissant. Intrigued? Enter Apple Pie Cruffins – the delightful lovechild of two beloved treats, apple pie, and croissants. These heavenly pastries boast layers of buttery dough enveloping a sweet and spiced apple filling, creating a marriage of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Ready to embark on a baking adventure? Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet (2 and 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Assembly and Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
- Add warm milk, softened butter, and egg to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Make the Apple Filling:
- In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Shape and Fill the Cruffins:
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the dough.
- Starting from one long end, tightly roll up the dough into a log.
- Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Forming the Cruffins:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Take each piece of dough and gently stretch it lengthwise.
- Twist the dough and then coil it into a spiral shape.
- Place each shaped cruffin into the greased muffin tin.
- Bake and Finish:
- Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the cruffins are baking, prepare the topping by mixing granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- As soon as the cruffins come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Let the cruffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If desired, dust the cooled cruffins with powdered sugar before serving.
- Enjoy!
- Serve your freshly baked Apple Pie Cruffins warm or at room temperature.
- These delightful pastries are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of the day.
- Enjoy the flaky layers, the warm apple filling, and the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and butter. Bon appétit!
Conclusion: Apple Pie Cruffins are the ultimate indulgence for pastry lovers. With their combination of flaky croissant dough and sweet, spiced apple filling, they’re sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is worth trying. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to savor the deliciousness of homemade Apple Pie Cruffins!