Which is healthier, a muffin or a croissant?

Muffins vary greatly in flavor and nutrient composition. When comparing one ounce of a butter croissant to one ounce of a commercially-prepared blueberry muffin, both contain similar amounts of calories, total fat, carbohydrates, and fiber. The croissant contains slightly more protein but also more saturated fat.

Do croissants contain yeast?

Croissants are different from other puff pastries in that they include yeast , which, during proofing, increases the dough volume. Ideally, the optimum croissant quality is achieved at a yeast level of 7.5%, with a proof time of 60 minutes at 31 °C (88 °F).

What is unhealthy about croissants?

Croissants are relatively high in calories, fat, and carbs . They also contain selenium.

Are muffins better for you than bread?

English muffins tend to be a little healthier than bread since English muffins have less carbohydrates, fats, and sugar than bread. While bread does contain slightly more fat when compared to English muffins, both options have 1 gram or less of total fat.

What kind of flour is best for croissants?

Although you can produce excellent croissants from all-purpose flour , bread flour, or frozen packaged white dough, the high gluten content makes for hard and rubbery rolling out. A mixture of 2 parts unbleached pastry flour and 1 part unbleached all-purpose flour gives a dough that is much easier to handle.

Why are croissants not vegan?

Traditionally, no – croissants aren't vegan because large quantities of dairy-based butter are used during their production ; in the pastry and added in layers for lamination. However, it is possible to buy or make your own plant-based croissants that are delicious.

What is the best butter for croissants?

You can use any butter you like best . If you're going to spend money on European style butter, croissants are when to do it. If I'm being honest, I use store-brand butter and love the croissant's flavor.

Which has more calories, croissant or muffin?

In general, a chocolate chip muffin has more calories than a croissant . The exact number of calories can vary depending on the size and recipe of each item, but on average, a chocolate chip muffin may have around 400-500 calories, while a croissant may have around 200-300 calories.

How unhealthy is a muffin?

Most store-bought muffins are like glorified cupcakes—they're full of sugar and simple carbs . "They can be packed with added sugar and low in fiber, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster before you even get to work," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT.

What is healthier than a croissant?

Bread tends to be a healthier option when compared to croissants , considering the ingredients used in each. The high butter content in croissants means they have a higher fat content when compared to bread. Bread is also generally lower in calories and carbs, per serving.

What has more calories, croissant or English muffin?

A plain croissant is really your best bet, ranging from 240 to 350 calories . As for muffins and scones, they start in the 400-calorie range.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This Cruffin recipe is a vegan version of a famous Croissant Muffin - a beautiful and delicious sweet pastry. Unlike a traditional Cruffin that features homemade laminated dough, my Cruffin is made with yeast which makes the whole process so much easier.

Also, try my Banana Chocolate Muffins and Chocolate Cruffins - the same great dessert loaded with chocolate ganache.

Cruffin

It took me and my mom a few shots to perfect this Cruffin recipe, but the result was so worth it.

Now imagine this: soft and flavorful yeast dough that is filled with raisins, shaped into a muffin, baked, and then topped with chopped walnuts, drizzled with melted chocolate, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Sounds good, isn't it? Let me assure you - it really is delicious!

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And given the fact that these Cruffins are prepared with vegan ingredients, it makes them a little bit healthier.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (2)

What is Cruffin pastry?

If you love croissants and muffins, let me introduce you to the simplified version of them - Cruffins.

Originally created in 2013 in Australia for a local pastry shop, this beautiful dessert then obtained its widespread popularity when was trademarked by Mr. Holmes Bakehouse from San Francisco.

Typically, Cruffins are made with the laminated dough which is a sophisticated term for puff pastry.

Making puff pastry is a whole different story and is not a very quick thing to do.

Enter sweet yeast dough- easy to make with pantry ingredients and no need to laminate.

In addition, Croissant Muffins are always filled with something sweet. More on that later.

These Vegan Cruffins are great for breakfast, dessert, or even a special occasion.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (3)

Ingredients

The wonderful part about this Cruffin recipe is that you can make them with pantry ingredients. Here's what you need:

almond milk
active dry yeast
apple sauce
olive oil
Maple syrup
all-purpose flour
salt
raisins
chocolate chips - I love using Hu Chocolate Gems. They're the only plant-based chocolate "chips" that I recommend. Sugar-free, Oil-free, and Soy-free. Enter the code IRYNA15 for 15% off on all Hu Kitchen products.
chopped walnuts
powdered sugar

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (4)

Instructions

1. Proof the yeast

In a large bowl combine warm (105-115 F) almond milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

2. Combine milk-yeast and remaining liquid ingredients

Whisk in apple sauce, olive oil, and Maple syrup in a bowl with milk and yeast.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients

In another large bowl mix together flour and salt and stir in wet ingredients. Knead the dough by hand until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with the dough with a clean kitchen towel and place the bowl in a warm place until it doubles in size. This should take about 40-60 minutes.

4. Divide the dough and roll it out

After your dough has doubled, divide it into 6 even size balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a rectangle (or oval) approximately 5 by 15 inches long. Brush the rectangle with some olive oil and sprinkle a handful of raisins on top. Starting from the short end, roll the dough into a log. Now, roll out the log until it's about 10 inches long.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (5)

5. Shape the log into a Cruffin

Now, comes the easy part. Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise into 2 smaller logs. Roll each log into a spiral and place it into a muffin cavity. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (6)

6. Let the dough rest and bake

After you fill out all muffin cavities, let the unbaked Cruffins rest in a warm place for 30 minutes. After that, bake in a preheated 395 F oven for 20 minutes.

Immediately, remove Cruffins on a cooling rack and let them cool for 15 minutes. Finally, drizzle Cruffins with melted chocolate, sprinkle with some chopped walnuts, and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

How to store Croissant Muffins?

These delicious treats will keep well on a counter for 1 or 2 days.

You can also freeze them. Just wrap them up tightly in a parchment paper or freezer-friendly bag and store them in a freezer for up to 1 month.

Recipe Variation

Raisins. If you don't have them, you can fill these Cruffins with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or ever unsweetend dried cherries, yum! Use a minimum of 2 tablespoons per piece of dough. The more filling - the juicer Cruffin will be.

Olive oil.I also tried this recipe with almond butter and coconut cream.

Despite that, the olive oil version was the most flavorful, almond butter or coconut cream are decent substitutes as well. I imagine, using a fruit jam as the main spread will also be delicious.

Recipe

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffin Recipe}

This Cruffin recipe is a vegan version of a famous Croissant Muffin - beautiful and delicious sweet pastry. Unlike a traditional Cruffin that features homemade laminated dough, my Cruffin is made with yeast which makes the whole process so much easier.

4.58 from 19 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Croissant Muffins

Calories: 489kcal

Author: Iryna Bychkiv

Ingredients

▢ ½ c + 2 tbsp almond milk divided
▢ 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
▢ ½ c applesauce
▢ ½ c + 5 tbsp olive oil divided
▢ 5 tablespoon Maple syrup
▢ 3 ½ c all-purpose flour
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
▢ 7.5 oz raisins
▢ 4 tablespoon powdered sugar optional
▢ 3 oz vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
▢ ¼ c walnuts finely chopped

Instructions

Proof the yeast

In a large bowl combine warm (105-115 F) ½ c + 1 tablespoon of almond milk and active dry yeast. Let is sit for 10 minutes. (I always use food thermometer to check the temperature).

Combine milk-yeast mixture and the remaining liquid ingredients

To a bowl with yeast whisk in apple sauce, ½ cup + 1 tablespoon of olive oil and Maple syrup.

Combine wet and dry ingredients

In another large bowl mix together flour and salt and stir in wet ingredients. Knead the dough by hands until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a dough with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 40 to 60 minutes.

Divide the dough and roll it out

Divide the dough into 6 even size balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a rectangle (or oval) approximately 5 by 15 inches long. Brush the rectangle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil (at this point you have 4 remaining tablespoon of olive oil) and sprinkle 2 tablespoon of raisins on top. Starting from the short end, roll the dough into a log. Now, roll out the log until it's about 10 in long.

Shape the log into a Cruffin

Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise into 2 smaller logs. Roll each log into a spiral and place into a muffin cavity. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough. Note 1

Let the dough rest and bake

Preheat the oven to 395 F. After you fill out all muffin cavities, let the unbaked Cruffins rest in a warm place for 30 minutes. After that, bake Cruffins for 20 minutes. Remove Cruffins on a cooling rack and let them cool for 15 minutes.

Prepare the "topping"

Place chocolate chips and the remaining 1 tablespoon of almond milk in a small bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds and whisk until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Using a fork or a pastry bag fitted with a thin tip #1, drizzle melted chocolate over Cruffins. Top with chopped walnuts and dust with a powdered sugar.

Video

Notes

Note 1

If you have a silicone muffin tin, there's no need to grease it. If you have a steel non-stick muffin tin, I recommend greasing it.

Nutrition

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!

Iryna Bychkiv

Website

Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffins} (2024)

Cruffin

What is Cruffin pastry?

Ingredients

Instructions

How to store Croissant Muffins?

Recipe Variation

Recipe

Cruffin Recipe {Vegan Croissant Muffin Recipe}

Ingredients

Instructions

Proof the yeast

Combine milk-yeast mixture and the remaining liquid ingredients

Combine wet and dry ingredients

Divide the dough and roll it out

Shape the log into a Cruffin

Let the dough rest and bake

Prepare the "topping"

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Iryna Bychkiv

FAQs

Which is healthier, a muffin or a croissant? ›

What has more calories, croissant or English muffin? ›

References