Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins – Buttery, Savory Perfection

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 18-20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Serves: 12

Ingredients

For the Cruffins:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (or 1 tube refrigerated croissant dough)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Topping:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter or cooking spray.
2. Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle approximately 12×16 inches.
3. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with minced garlic. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to infuse flavors.

Create the Filling:

4. Brush the entire surface of the pastry with the garlic butter mixture.
5. In another bowl, mix together Parmesan cheese, parsley, chives, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
6. Sprinkle this herb mixture evenly over the buttered pastry, pressing gently to adhere.

Shape the Cruffins:

7. Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the pastry into a log.
8. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal pieces (about 1-inch thick).
9. Place each piece cut-side up in the prepared muffin cups. Gently press down to fit snugly.

Bake:

10. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up beautifully.
11. While baking, prepare the topping by mixing melted butter, Parmesan, and parsley.

Finish and Serve:

12. Remove from oven and immediately brush tops with the butter mixture while still warm.
13. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and additional fresh herbs if desired.
14. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing to serve.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overfill: Leave some space in each muffin cup as the cruffins will puff up significantly during baking.
• Fresh Herbs: Use fresh herbs when possible for the best flavor. If using dried herbs, reduce quantities by half.
• Even Slicing: Use a sharp knife and gentle sawing motion to avoid compressing the rolled dough.
• Serve Warm: These are best enjoyed warm when the layers are at their flakiest.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare these up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Add 2-3 extra minutes to baking time if starting from cold.

Storage

Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.

Variations

• Cheese Lovers: Add shredded mozzarella or gruyere to the filling
• Spicy Kick: Include red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
• Mediterranean: Add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil
• Bacon Herb: Incorporate crispy bacon bits into the herb mixture

Enjoy these irresistible savory treats that are perfect for brunch, as a side dish, or a satisfying snack!