Name: Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls; 1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened; 2 tablespoons cocoa powder; ¾ cup brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; ½ cup mini chocolate chips; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream

If you love flaky croissants and cinnamon rolls, then this Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine biting into a tender, buttery roll swirled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and pockets of melty chocolate — sounds dreamy, right? I absolutely love how these cruffins turn out every time, and I can’t wait to share all my tips and tricks so you can nail them in your own kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Using crescent roll dough makes this recipe a fast weekend treat without compromising on flavor.
Perfect Texture: The flaky layers melt in your mouth, while the cinnamon and chocolate add that comforting warmth.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these — they’re great for breakfast, dessert, or snack time.
Customizable: You can tweak fillings and frosting to make your own signature version every time.

The image shows a close-up of two cinnamon rolls on a white plate with one roll cut in half showing its inside with visible layers. The rolls have multiple layers of golden brown dough with dark brown cinnamon filling swirled inside. They are topped with white icing that is drizzled over them and small chocolate chips scattered on the icing. In the background, there is a white plate holding more cinnamon rolls that are perfectly formed with the same layers and toppings. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth under the plates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon, crescent cruffin recipe, cinnamon and chocolate pastry, flaky cinnamon swirl pastry, easy breakfast pastry

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe combines pantry-friendly ingredients and that trusty canned crescent dough that many of us keep on hand. The combination ensures you get flaky layers and a sweet cinnamon-chocolate swirl without fuss. A few small tips will help you make the best cruffins ever.

Flat lay of three cans of pale crescent roll dough sheets neatly folded, a stick of smooth softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl of rich dark brown cocoa powder, a small white bowl filled with packed golden brown sugar, a small white bowl holding cinnamon powder with warm reddish-brown hues, scattered glossy mini chocolate chips, a small white bowl with fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl with melted pale yellow butter, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of fresh cream or milk with a slight sheen, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon, crescent cruffin recipe, cinnamon and chocolate pastry, flaky cinnamon swirl pastry, easy breakfast pastry

Crescent Roll Dough: I find the Pillsbury cans consistently work best for easy rolling and flaky results. Keep it cold until you roll it out.
Butter: Use softened, not melted, for better spreading and layering with cocoa powder.
Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor without extra sweetness — make sure it’s unsweetened for balance.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar gives the perfect molasses depth that pairs with cinnamon beautifully.
Cinnamon: Fresh ground is ideal, but ground cinnamon from your spice rack works well too.
Mini Chocolate Chips: I love these for gooey chocolate pockets that melt when baked.
Powdered Sugar: For the frosting — the finer texture helps it spread smoothly.
Vanilla and Milk or Cream: These round out the frosting’s flavor and consistency; add milk slowly to get just the right drip.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite parts about this Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have on hand or your flavor preferences. Don’t hesitate to make it your own — that’s half the fun!

Nutty Twist: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon sugar layer gives a satisfying crunch my family adores.
Spiced Up: I sometimes mix in a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg with the cinnamon for an extra cozy touch.
Frosting Variations: Swap out vanilla for almond extract or top with a simple drizzle of melted chocolate instead of frosting for less sweetness.
Gluten-Free: While crescent dough is tricky to swap, you can make a similar filling with puff pastry sheets, which some gluten-free brands offer.

How to Make Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Chocolate Butter Spread

Start by stirring the softened butter and cocoa powder together until they meld into a smooth, chocolatey spread. This step is key because when you spread it onto the dough, it melts into beautiful layers of flavor and moisture as the cruffins bake. If the butter is too cold, it won’t spread well; too warm, and it’ll get runny—softened is just right.

Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Cinnamon Chocolate Filling

In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips. I love how the sugar melts into sticky pockets around the cinnamon and chips, which add bursts of sweetness and a hint of spice. It’s these little layers that make the cruffins so addictive!

Step 3: Roll, Layer, and Cut the Dough

Roll out one can of crescent dough on a clean surface and pinch the perforations so it holds together like a sheet. Evenly spread ⅓ of the chocolate butter mixture over the dough, then sprinkle on ⅓ of your cinnamon sugar mix. Roll the dough up tightly from the long end — this helps create those signature swirls. Cutting the log lengthwise and wrapping around your finger is the fun part; place the neatly rolled pieces upright in a greased muffin tin.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the cruffins at 350°F for about 18 to 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown. The baking time is crucial—not too short or they’ll be doughy, and not too long so they stay tender inside. Keep an eye on them the first time you bake so you can gauge your oven’s timing.

Step 5: Whip Up the Easy Frosting

While the cruffins bake, mix powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk until your frosting reaches a smooth but pourable consistency. I usually start with less milk and add a splash at a time because it’s easier to thin than to thicken once it’s too runny. Drizzle the frosting generously over warm cruffins and add a few extra mini chocolate chips for that extra wow-factor.

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Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe

Keep Dough Cold: I learned this the hard way—warm dough gets sticky and hard to handle, so keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to roll.
Pinch Perforations Firmly: This prevents the dough from separating during rolling and baking, giving you perfect swirls.
Use a Sharp Knife: When cutting the dough logs, a sharp knife helps keep neat edges without squishing the layers.
Serve Warm: These cruffins taste best fresh from the oven when the chocolate is melty; reheat leftovers gently to keep texture.

How to Serve Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe

Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love topping my finished cruffins with a little extra powdered sugar or a pinch of cinnamon for a pretty presentation. Sometimes I add a few fresh berries on the side or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra special brunch offering.

Side Dishes

These cruffins pair wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or hot tea in the morning. For a full breakfast, serve alongside fresh fruit salad, scrambled eggs, or even a creamy yogurt parfait for a balance of flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or festive occasions, I’ll line a tiered serving tray with parchment and neatly arrange the cruffins with edible flowers and chocolate curls on top — it’s a real show-stopper and always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them from drying out, I recommend adding a small piece of bread to the container—it helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

These freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling completely, wrap each cruffin tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. I’ve had success freezing them for up to two months without losing any of the flavor or texture.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cruffins, just unwrap and warm them in a 325°F oven for 7-10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Adding the frosting after reheating keeps it fresh and doesn’t make the cruffin soggy.

FAQs

Can I use homemade croissant dough instead of crescent roll dough?

Absolutely! Homemade croissant dough will make these cruffins even more decadent and flaky, but it requires more time and skill. For convenience, I prefer the ready-to-use crescent dough, but feel free to elevate this recipe if you have croissant dough on hand.
How do I prevent the cruffins from sticking to the muffin tin?

Greasing your muffin tin well with nonstick spray or butter is essential. You can also lightly flour the tin after greasing for extra insurance. Waiting for the cruffins to cool a bit before removing them helps them release more cleanly.
Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes! Use a dairy-free crescent roll dough, plant-based butter alternatives, and a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk in the frosting. The flavor will still shine through beautifully.
How long do these cruffins keep fresh?

Fresh cruffins are best eaten within 1-2 days. Storing them properly as mentioned will keep them moist, but beyond that, freezing is your best bet to preserve taste and texture.
What’s the best way to reheat without drying out?

Reheating in the oven at a moderate temperature with a slightly damp paper towel nearby helps retain moisture. Microwaving in short bursts also works but can make them a little chewy if overdone.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Crescent Cruffins with Cinnamon Recipe blends the best of multiple favorite pastries into one mouthwatering package — flaky, buttery, chocolatey, and warmly spiced. I started making these when I wanted a fuss-free treat with a wow factor, and now they’re a staple in my house. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked! Make a batch for friends, family, or that morning when you want to indulge a little (or a lot). You’re going to love every bite.