Ultimate Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins

Have you ever craved something utterly divine, a treat that marries the comforting familiarity of chocolate with the delightful tang of sourdough? As someone who finds pure joy in baking, I’m excited to share one of my favorite creations: Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins. These aren’t just any pastries; they’re a symphony of flaky layers, a hint of sourdough tang, and pockets of melted chocolate chips in every single bite. Yes, making these beauties requires a bit of patience because of the sourdough, but trust me, the total time is mostly hands-off, and the result is so worth it.

Table of contents

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins

• The sourdough adds a unique tangy flavor, elevating the richness of the chocolate.
• The chocolate chips perfectly complement the flaky layers, creating a textural and flavorful masterpiece.
• I use a straightforward lamination technique, making it easy for home bakers to achieve professional-quality results.
• They are so much fun to make, and even more fun to eat.

What is a Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffin?

A cruffin, as the name suggests, is a delightful hybrid of a croissant and a muffin. Think of it as a croissant baked in a muffin tin, resulting in a pastry with a light, airy texture and beautiful, swirling layers. When you add sourdough to the mix, you get a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the butter and sugar. And of course, the addition of chocolate chips makes these Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins a truly irresistible treat.

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins

Here’s what you’ll need to create these amazing cruffins:

• 150 gram bread flour
• 80 gram all purpose flour
• 90 gram water
• 70 gram sourdough starter (100% hydration)
• 20 gram sugar
• 30 gram butter
• 4 gram salt
• 150 gram butter (high-quality)
• 20 gram cacao powder
• 15 gram sugar

For the best results, use a high-quality butter; it really makes a difference in the flakiness and flavor of the cruffins. It’s also important to make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. This ensures that your dough rises properly and develops that characteristic sourdough tang I love so much, much like baking your own sourdough loaf.

Equipment Needed

Before you start, gather all the necessary equipment. Having everything on hand will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

• Muffin tin
• Rolling pin OR pasta machine
• Mixing bowls
• Cling film
• Floured knife

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make these delightful Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins, step by step:

1. Mix softened butter with flour and add water, starter, sugar, and salt, and knead it into a stiff dough.
2. Wrap the dough in cling-film and let it rest for an hour in room temperature.
3. Divide the dough in 4 equal pieces and flatten them to a thickness of about 1/3″ / 1 cm.
4. Run each piece of dough through the pasta machine at its thickest setting. Repeat and roll the dough thinner and thinner by decreasing the setting of the pasta machine. Or use a rolling pin and roll the dough to desired thickness.
5. Mix softened butter with cacao powder and sugar. Spread the the mixture on the dough.
6. Roll it from one end to the other to a cigar-formed log. Cut the log lengthwise with a floured knife, and fold each piece of dough together with the cut side facing outward.
7. Place the pieces of dough in a muffin cup or pan and let them ferment for about 3 hours, covered loosely with cling film.
8. Preheat the oven to 400ºF / 200ºC.
9. Bake the Cruffins for 20 minutes, or until they have got a nice golden color.

Shaping the Cruffins

The shaping process is where the magic happens, and it’s crucial for achieving those beautiful layers. After spreading the butter mixture, tightly roll the dough into a log. This creates the foundation for the cruffin’s swirl. Then, using a sharp, floured knife, slice the log lengthwise. This reveals the layers and allows them to expand during baking. Finally, gently twist and fold the two halves together, cut-side up, before placing them in the muffin tin. This step is where the cruffin’s signature shape comes to life.

Baking the Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins

Once your Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins are shaped and proofed, it’s time to bake them. Keep a close eye on them in the oven. You want them to turn a deep golden brown, indicating that the layers are cooked through and the chocolate chips are melted and gooey. Rotating the baking sheets halfway through ensures even baking, so every cruffin gets that perfect golden color and flaky texture.

Why This Works

The magic of these cruffins lies in the science behind each step. Chilling the dough is essential because it keeps the butter solid, which helps create distinct layers during lamination. Lamination, the process of folding butter into the dough, creates hundreds of thin layers that separate and puff up when baked, resulting in a flaky texture. The sourdough starter adds not only a unique tang but also helps to tenderize the dough and improve its overall flavor.

Troubleshooting

Even with the best recipes, things can sometimes go awry. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:

• Starter Troubleshooting: If your starter isn’t behaving as expected, make sure it’s fed regularly and stored at the right temperature. A sluggish starter can result in a dense, under-risen cruffin.
• Butter Melting: If the butter starts to melt during lamination, return the dough to the fridge for a bit to firm it up.
• Dough Not Rising: Ensure your kitchen is warm enough for proofing. If it’s too cold, the dough may take longer to rise, or not rise at all.
• Cruffins Too Dense: This could be due to over-kneading the dough or using an inactive starter. Be gentle with the dough and ensure your starter is bubbly and active.

Ingredient Sourcing

When it comes to chocolate chips, I prefer using high-quality chocolate with a good cocoa percentage. It adds a richer, more intense chocolate flavor that complements the sourdough tang beautifully, much like the ultimate dark chocolate sea salt nut bars. As for substitutions, you can experiment with different types of flour, but I find that a combination of bread flour and all-purpose flour gives the best texture.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few fun ways to mix things up:

Variation	Description
Dark Chocolate	Use dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate flavor.
White Chocolate	Incorporate white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier taste.
Cinnamon Spice	Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, comforting flavor.
Nuts and Dried Fruit	Mix in chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) and dried cranberries or raisins.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Want to get ahead? You can prepare the dough up to the shaping stage, wrap it tightly in cling film, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply take it out, let it come to room temperature for a bit, and continue with the shaping and baking instructions.

How to Store Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins

To maintain their quality, store the finished Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best enjoyed within 1-2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Wrap each cruffin individually in cling film and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature and warm them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness.

Serving Suggestions

These Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins are delightful on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of drinks. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy morning treat. They also make a fantastic addition to a brunch spread, alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and even delicious sourdough pull-apart dinner rolls.

Scaling the Recipe

Yes, you can easily double or halve this recipe, depending on how many Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins you want to make. Just adjust the ingredient amounts accordingly. Keep in mind that larger batches may require slightly longer baking times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So there you have it: my Chocolate Chip Sourdough Cruffins, a recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. The combination of flaky layers, tangy sourdough, and gooey chocolate chips is simply irresistible, and I promise, every bite is worth the effort. Now, I’d absolutely love to hear from you! Have you tried making cruffins before, or is this your first time? Leave a comment below with your questions, tips, or any fun variations you’ve tried. And if you decide to give this recipe a go, don’t forget to share your results – I can’t wait to see your beautiful creations!