There’s a certain joy that comes when you discover a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Recently, I was on a quest to use up some sourdough discard that had been piling up in my fridge. In the midst of my baking endeavors, I stumbled upon a creation that married the charming elegance of a croissant with the comforting warmth of a muffin—Sourdough Almond Cruffins.
These delightful pastries boast layers of flaky, crisp goodness enveloping a creamy almond frangipane core, topped with slivers of almond for that extra crunch. The best part? They’re not just a treat for special occasions; they effortlessly elevate your breakfast or indulge your sweet tooth in the afternoon. So, if you’re ready to whisk away the mundane fast-food routine and embrace the sheer pleasure of homemade goodness, let’s dive into crafting these irresistible cruffins!
Why Are Sourdough Almond Cruffins So Irresistible?
Irresistible Flakiness: Each cruffin features delicate layers that flake beautifully, giving you that satisfying crunch with every bite.
Transformative Taste: The rich almond frangipane filling adds a depth of flavor that will have everyone coming back for more.
No Waste Cooking: Perfectly utilizing sourdough discard means you can create something wonderful while minimizing waste.
Versatile Delights: Enjoy them as a fancy breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a show-stopping dessert at your next gathering.
Enjoy Freshness: These cruffins are best enjoyed warm, making them a fantastic choice for brunch or a cozy coffee date!
Simple Steps: With straightforward instructions and accessible ingredients, you’ll become a cruffin pro in no time!
Sourdough Almond Cruffins Ingredients
• To create these delightful pastries, gather these essential ingredients for your Sourdough Almond Cruffins.
For the Puff Pastry
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure and texture to the cruffins; substitute with a gluten-free blend if needed.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness; no substitutes necessary.
- Salted butter – Adds richness and flakiness; unsalted butter can be used if preferred.
- Water – Hydrates the dough; cold water yields the best results.
- Sourdough discard – Adds a tangy complexity to flavor; ensure it’s active, or use regular flour if unavailable.
For the Almond Frangipane Filling
- Almond flour – Contributes to the filling’s creamy texture; replace with ground walnuts for a different flavor.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the frangipane; brown sugar provides a deeper flavor.
- Egg – Acts as a binder and helps with the egg wash; for vegan options, replace with a flax egg.
- Almond extract – Infuses a robust almond flavor; vanilla extract can be used for a different twist.
- Vanilla extract – Adds depth to the filling; use more almond extract for a stronger almond taste.
For the Topping
- Slivered almonds – Provides a crunchy topping and enhances the almond flavor; can be substituted with chopped nuts or omitted.
Discover the joy of creating these Sourdough Almond Cruffins with these simple yet essential ingredients!
How to Make Sourdough Almond Cruffins
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Prepare the Puff Pastry: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut in the chilled salted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then fold in the active sourdough discard until just combined.
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Chill the Dough: Once your dough is mixed, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help ensure the flakiness of your cruffins later on.
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Make the Almond Frangipane: In a separate bowl, beat together the almond flour, granulated sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside for later.
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Roll and Fill: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the almond frangipane evenly over the surface, then cut into strips and roll each strip like a spiral.
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Preheat Oven: While you assemble the cruffins, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the pastries will bake evenly and achieve that perfect crispiness.
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Assemble and Bake: Place the rolled cruffins in a lined muffin tin, standing them upright. Sprinkle the tops with slivered almonds, then bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until they are golden brown and beautifully puffed.
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Dust with Sugar: Once baked, let the cruffins cool slightly in the tin. Dust them with powdered sugar before serving, making them look even more irresistible!
Optional: Try adding a drizzle of icing or glaze for an extra sweet touch!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Sourdough Almond Cruffins Variations
Feel free to explore and personalize this recipe to your heart’s delight. Each variation is a chance to create something uniquely flavorful!
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Nut-Free: Substitute almond flour with sunflower seed flour for a tasty, nut-free option without sacrificing flavor.
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Whole Wheat: Use whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose for a heartier, nuttier cruffin that provides extra fiber.
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Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips to the almond frangipane for a delightful twist that will please any sweet tooth.
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Spicy Kick: Incorporate a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes into the frangipane for an unexpected and exciting heat.
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Maple Sweetness: Swap granulated sugar for pure maple syrup in the frangipane for a unique sweetness that complements the almond flavor beautifully.
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Berry Burst: Fold in some fresh or frozen berries with the frangipane to add a juicy, vibrant contrast to the almond richness.
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Coconut Cream: Replace some almond flour with sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical twist that’s absolutely divine.
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Herb Infusion: Blend fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into the frangipane to add a refreshing herbal note that pairs surprisingly well with almonds.
Let your creativity run wild in the kitchen as you play with these variations!
Expert Tips for Sourdough Almond Cruffins
- Activate Your Sourdough: Make sure your sourdough discard is freshly fed and bubbly; using inactive discard may lead to less flavorful cruffins.
- Keep It Cold: Always work with chilled butter and dough to maintain flakiness. If it gets warm, pop it back in the fridge!
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough just until combined to prevent dense cruffins. The goal is to have a light and airy texture.
- Perfect Dough Thickness: Roll the pastry to about 1/4 inch thick; if too thick, the layers won’t develop properly and could become doughy.
- Oven Readiness: Preheat the oven thoroughly before baking the cruffins for optimal puffing and even browning.
- Enjoy Fresh: Sourdough Almond Cruffins are best served warm; enjoy them right out of the oven or gently reheated for maximum taste experience!
Storage Tips for Sourdough Almond Cruffins
- Room Temperature: Store cruffins at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container to maintain their flakiness.
- Fridge: If you want them to last longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Before enjoying, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy texture.
- Freezer: Freeze the cruffins for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven to ensure optimal delight when you crave these Sourdough Almond Cruffins again!
What to Serve with Sourdough Almond Cruffins?
These delightful pastries pair beautifully with various accompaniments to create a well-rounded meal or indulgent treat.
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Fresh Fruit Salad: A vibrant mix of seasonal fruits adds a refreshing contrast to the rich almond flavors, making every bite a harmony of tastes.
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Vanilla Yogurt: Drizzling some creamy vanilla yogurt over your cruffins will introduce a smooth texture that complements the pastry’s crunch. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
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Coffee or Espresso: The deep, rich notes of coffee enhance the cruffins’ sweetness, perfect for a cozy breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.
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Herbal Tea: A soothing cup of chamomile or mint tea pairs wonderfully with the nutty cruffins, providing a warm, comforting experience.
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Chocolate Drizzle: For those who adore a sweet touch, a light drizzle of melted chocolate turns these cruffins into an elegant dessert that’s sure to impress.
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Honey or Maple Syrup: Just a touch of honey or maple syrup adds an extra layer of sweetness that elevates the almond flavor beautifully.
These delightful pairings enhance the experience of enjoying your Sourdough Almond Cruffins, making them perfect for any time of day!
Make Ahead Options
These Sourdough Almond Cruffins are perfect for busy home cooks looking to save time without sacrificing flavor! You can prepare the puff pastry up to 24 hours in advance. Just mix the ingredients, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use. The almond frangipane filling can also be made up to 3 days ahead; simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, roll out the chilled dough, add the filling, and bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes. This way, you’ll have warm, flaky cruffins that taste just as delicious as if you made them fresh that day!
Sourdough Almond Cruffins Recipe FAQs
How do I select the best sourdough discard for this recipe?
Absolutely! Make sure your sourdough discard is active, bubbly, and recently fed. This freshness enhances the flavor, giving your cruffins that delightful tang. If your discard is too old or inactive, consider refreshing it before use.
What is the best way to store Sourdough Almond Cruffins?
You can store cruffins at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container to keep them delightfully flaky. If you prefer to enjoy them for longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days. Just remember to reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore that lovely crispy texture!
Can I freeze the Sourdough Almond Cruffins? How?
Absolutely! For freezing, allow the baked cruffins to cool completely. Then, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes to achieve that perfect freshness again.
What should I do if my cruffins don’t rise as expected?
Very! Ensure your butter and dough are kept cold to maintain flakiness, and also check that your oven temperature is accurate. If you have too much heat or insufficient rising agents, cruffins might not puff up correctly. If they still turn out flat, consider rolling the dough to a thinner size next time for increased layers!
Are there any allergy considerations for Sourdough Almond Cruffins?
Indeed! Since these cruffins contain allergens like gluten and nuts, it’s important to consider substitutions if you’re catering to allergies. For a gluten-free option, use a dedicated gluten-free flour blend. If you’re looking to avoid nuts, you can replace the almond flour with a seed flour or even ground oats, but keep in mind this will change the flavor and texture somewhat.
Can I use a different type of nut for the frangipane filling?
Very much so! While almond flour is traditional for the frangipane, you can experiment with other nuts such as hazelnuts or walnuts. Just make sure to adjust the flavorings to complement your selected nut. This fun variation can lead to delicious flavor twists in your cruffins!
Sourdough Almond Cruffins: Flaky Delights for Any Occasion
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Cut in the chilled salted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then fold in the active sourdough discard until just combined.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the almond flour, granulated sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the almond frangipane evenly over the surface.
- Cut into strips and roll each strip like a spiral.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the rolled cruffins in a lined muffin tin, upright. Sprinkle with slivered almonds.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the cruffins cool slightly in the tin and dust with powdered sugar before serving.