If you’re on the hunt for a fun and delightful treat that perfectly balances flaky, buttery pastry with fresh, fruity goodness, look no further than this Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe. These beauties combine the best of croissants and muffins into one delicious hand-held pastry bursting with vibrant blueberry flavor and a hint of lemon zest. Whether you’re treating yourself on a slow weekend morning or sharing with friends over coffee, this recipe brings a touch of bakery magic right into your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here may seem simple, but each one plays a vital role in building layers of flaky texture, vibrant flavor, and that irresistible golden color. From fresh blueberries for the filling to chilled butter for perfectly laminated dough, every element contributes to the magic of this Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe.
- Fresh blueberries (2 cups): The star of the filling, providing juicy, natural sweetness and that gorgeous purple hue.
- Water (1/2 cup): Helps cook down the berries into a luscious compote.
- Granulated sugar (various amounts): Sweetens both the filling and dough, balancing tartness without overpowering.
- Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Thickens the blueberry compote for the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon) and lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Add a bright, zesty contrast to the sweet berries and enrich the dough flavor.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The backbone of the dough, providing structure.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): Powers the rise and airy crumb of the cruffins.
- Milk (3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons): Creates a tender crumb and helps with the glaze afterward.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing sweetness.
- Large eggs (2): Add richness and help bind the dough.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, well-chilled): Essential for creating those signature flaky layers.
- Freeze-dried blueberry powder (1/4 cup): Intensifies the blueberry flavor and adds a lovely speckled appearance.
- Confectioners sugar (1/3 cup): Forms the base of the smooth, sweet glaze.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warm aromatic notes to the glaze.
- Raw sugar: Sprinkled on top for a satisfying crunch.
How to Make Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Blueberry Compote
Start by gently simmering fresh blueberries with water and sugar until they release their juices, creating a vibrant sauce. Thickening this mixture with a cornstarch slurry ensures the filling is perfectly spreadable without soaking the dough later on. Don’t skip chilling the compote completely — this step is key to keeping your layers flaky and your cruffins from turning soggy.
Step 2: Make the Lemon-Sugar Mix
Mix lemon zest with granulated sugar to infuse a fresh citrus kick into your cruffins. This simple blend adds brightness and balances the sweetness, creating an extra flavor dimension when sprinkled inside the dough later.
Step 3: Activate the Yeast and Mix Dry Ingredients
Warm milk sets the stage for the yeast to bloom, bringing life to the dough for a perfect rise and tender texture. Whisking the dry ingredients including the blueberry powder next adds flavor and color right into the dough itself, turning a simple dough into something special.
Step 4: Knead and Rest the Dough
Working the dough until smooth develops the gluten structure that gives your cruffins their soft yet sturdy crumb. Resting the dough after kneading lets it relax, making rolling and folding much easier.
Step 5: Laminate the Dough with Butter
This is where the magic happens. Rolling out the dough, layering on cold butter, folding, and chilling again creates the buttery layers that make cruffins so flaky and tender. Repeating these folds and rests ensures thin, distinct layers that bake into golden perfection.
Step 6: Add Flavor Layers and Roll
Roll out the dough one last time, sprinkle with lemon-sugar and blueberry powder, then spread a thin layer of the chilled compote. Rolling it up tightly ensures that every bite bursts with blueberry goodness and a hint of citrus zest.
Step 7: Slice and Proof the Cruffins
Cutting the rolled log into twelve equal pieces allows each cruffin to bake evenly. Placing slices cut-side up in a muffin tin helps the layers open beautifully during proofing and baking. Letting them rise until doubled gives you that light and airy texture we all crave.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden and Flaky
Baking at 375°F until the tops turn golden brown results in cruffins with crisp outer layers and soft, buttery interiors. Rotating the pan halfway through ensures even browning, bringing out the best texture and flavor.
Step 9: Glaze and Add Crunch
Whisk together confectioners sugar, vanilla, and milk for a sweet, glossy glaze that finishes the cruffins with elegance. A sprinkle of raw sugar immediately after glazing adds a delightful crunch contrast. This final touch transforms them from homemade treats to showstoppers.
How to Serve Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe

Garnishes
For a little extra flair, try topping your cruffins with fresh blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a few edible flowers for a pretty presentation. These simple garnishes enhance the natural blueberry theme and make your pastries look irresistible.
Side Dishes
Pair your Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe with a rich cup of coffee, creamy latte, or fruity iced tea for a well-rounded brunch experience. A side of fresh fruit salad or yogurt can complement the indulgence of these pastries, balancing richness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the cruffins on decorative plates with linen napkins for a bakery-style feel at home. For a party, arrange them on tiered dessert stands so guests can see their flaky layers and glossy glaze from all angles. Wrapping each cruffin in a parchment paper square adds an inviting, rustic touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to retain flakiness and freshness. Avoid refrigeration if possible, as it can dry out the dough and soften the layers prematurely.
Freezing
You can freeze unglazed cruffins by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag for up to one month. Thaw overnight at room temperature before glazing and serving for freshly baked taste.
Reheating
Reheat cruffins gently in a 300°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes to warm through and bring back their crisp layers. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soggy and chewy instead of flaky and tender.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute frozen blueberries, but make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid before making the compote. This prevents the dough from getting too wet and ensures the same delicious results.
What is a cruffin exactly?
A cruffin is a hybrid pastry combining elements of a croissant and a muffin. It’s made by rolling laminated dough like a croissant with delicious fillings, then slicing and baking in a muffin tin to create a flaky, buttery, and aromatic treat.
How important is chilling the dough between folds?
Chilling is crucial! It firms up the butter layers and relaxes the gluten, which helps create those signature flaky layers without tearing or melting the butter prematurely.
Can this dough be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and complete the laminating steps a day in advance. Keep it well wrapped in the fridge and shape and bake the cruffins the next day.
What can I substitute for freeze-dried blueberry powder?
If you don’t have freeze-dried blueberry powder, you can replace it with finely crushed freeze-dried blueberries or omit it entirely. The flavor will still shine through thanks to the compote and fresh blueberries.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe is truly a showstopper that brings bakery-style charm straight to your kitchen. The combination of flaky layers, tangy blueberry compote, and delicate lemon notes will quickly make these your new go-to pastry for special mornings or anytime you want to indulge. Give it a try—you’ll love every buttery, berry-filled bite!
Print
Homemade Blueberry Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these homemade blueberry cruffins, a heavenly blend of croissant flakiness and muffin convenience, filled with a luscious blueberry compote and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze and crunchy raw sugar.
Ingredients
Blueberry Compote
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Lemon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsalted butter, well-chilled
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried blueberry powder
Glaze
- 1/3 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Other
- Raw sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make Blueberry Compote: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine fresh blueberries, water, and granulated sugar. Stir gently until berries release their juices. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Add cornstarch mixture to the simmering blueberries and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened to a spreadable consistency. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and transfer to a bowl. Chill completely to avoid soggy dough.
- Prepare Lemon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix lemon zest and granulated sugar. Set aside for later use.
- Activate Yeast and Mix Dry Ingredients: Heat milk to about 110°F. Sprinkle active dry yeast over warm milk in a large bowl and let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, salt, and blueberry powder in a separate bowl. Once yeast is foamy, combine with flour mixture and add eggs. Stir to form a shaggy dough.
- Knead Dough: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes until smooth. Shape into a disc, cover with towel or plastic wrap, and rest 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Laminate Dough with Butter: Roll dough into a 12×8 inch rectangle. Evenly arrange sliced chilled butter over one half. Fold other half over butter to encase it and seal edges. Perform a letter fold by folding dough into thirds, then quarter-turn it. Chill dough for 30 minutes. Repeat the rolling, folding, and chilling process two more times (total of three turns), resting dough 30 minutes between folds and a final chilling of 1 hour.
- Shape and Fill Cruffins: Roll dough into a 14×8 inch rectangle. Sprinkle lemon-zest sugar and blueberry powder evenly over surface. Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of chilled blueberry compote over dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Roll tightly from long edge into a log.
- Slice and Proof: Using a bench scraper, cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces. Place each slice cut-side up in a nonstick 12-cup muffin tin. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and proof in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Bake Cruffins: Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove plastic wrap and bake cruffins for 20-22 minutes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through, until golden brown and flaky.
- Prepare Glaze and Finish: Whisk together confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over warm cruffins and immediately sprinkle with raw sugar for added crunch.
Notes
- Chilling the dough and performing multiple folds creates the signature flaky layers of a cruffin.
- Cooling the blueberry compote fully before spreading prevents soggy dough and ensures a perfect filling consistency.
- Proofing in a warm area is essential for proper dough rise; avoid drafty or cold spots.
- Use well-chilled unsalted butter to ensure proper laminating during folding.
- Rotate the muffin tin halfway through baking for even browning.
- Raw sugar topping adds a delightful crunch and enhanced sweetness.


