Carrot Cake Cruffins Recipe: Perfect for Easter (or Anytime!)

Have you ever had a cruffin? If not, let me introduce you to your next baking obsession! A cruffin is the fun mix of a croissant and a muffin.

It’s flaky, buttery, and shaped like a muffin but layered with all the goodness of a croissant. It’s basically a bakery’s way of saying, “Why settle for one pastry when you can have the best of both worlds?”

Now, let’s take that magic and give it an Easter twist. Enter: Carrot Cake Cruffins. Warm spices, tender carrots, and sweet, tangy cream cheese frosting of your favorite carrot cake, but rolled into a flaky, buttery cruffin. It’s the perfect showstopper for Easter brunch or just a way to wow your family on a random weekend.

This recipe is not only delicious but also surprisingly fun to make. Sure, there’s a bit of dough kneading and rolling involved, but trust me, the reward is worth it. Plus, your house will smell like a bakery, and who doesn’t want that?

Carrot Cake Cruffins Recipe

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Rise Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup milk
• 4 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 package instant yeast
• Pinch of salt

For the Filling:

• 2 cups carrots, grated
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cardamom pods, crushed

For the Topping:

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast.

2. Add the eggs, melted butter, and milk. Mix until the dough starts to come together.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface (or use a stand mixer) until it’s soft and smooth. This should take about 8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in the mixer.

4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

2. Add the grated carrots and sauté for 2–3 minutes.

3. Stir in the brown sugar, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, cardamom, and lemon zest. Cook until the carrots are tender and the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes. If it seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water or milk.

4. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Topping

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice.

2. Mix until smooth and creamy. Cover and set aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Cruffins

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 15 x 8 inches.

2. Spread the cooled carrot filling evenly over the dough.

3. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Trim the edges if they’re uneven.

4. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces (each about 2–3 inches thick).

5. Grease a muffin or cruffin pan and place each piece, cut side up, into a slot.

6. Cover the pan with a damp cloth and let the cruffins rise for another 30–40 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up.

Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Bake the cruffins for 25–30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and smell amazing.

3. Let the cruffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 6: Add the Topping

1. Once the cruffins have cooled completely, drizzle or spread the cream cheese topping over them.

2. Serve and watch them disappear!

Variations

1. Nut-Free Option: Skip the walnuts and add a bit more raisins or shredded coconut for texture.

2. Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the filling for extra warmth.

3. Chocolate Twist: Replace the raisins with mini chocolate chips for a decadent treat.

4. Citrusy Boost: Swap the lemon zest with orange zest for a different citrusy flavor.

5. Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the dough, but be sure to adjust the liquid slightly as gluten-free flours can behave differently.

FAQ

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling it out.

2. What if I don’t have a cruffin pan?
No worries! A regular muffin pan works perfectly fine. Your cruffins might be a tad less tall but just as delicious.

3. Can I freeze cruffins?
Yes! Freeze them without the cream cheese topping. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and add the topping before enjoying.

4. How long do cruffins stay fresh?
They’re best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

5. Can I use store-bought dough?
If you’re short on time, store-bought croissant dough can be a lifesaver. It won’t be quite the same, but it’ll still be tasty.

Perfect for Easter (or Anytime!)

These Carrot Cake Cruffins are like the Easter Bunny in pastry form. They’re festive, delicious, and just the right mix of effort and reward.

Whether you’re hosting a family brunch or just want to treat yourself, these cruffins are sure to be a hit. And let’s be honest, you’ll feel like a baking superstar when you pull these beauties out of the oven.

So, grab your rolling pin and preheat that oven. Your house is about to smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you. Happy baking!