Cruffs Cream Puffs

I had heard from friends that this place had some pretty fantastic tasting cream puffs so I had to try it out. I came with my sister and we both got regular sized cream puff. I’d say they’re a little expensive but the novelty of getting to make your own makes up for it. I got a strawberry filled cream puff and it was pretty darn delicious! I’ll be back to try the other flavours.

I’m not really a dessert guy, but we were in the neighbourhood and decided to stop in and grab some cream puffs. MAN, are we glad we did! As soon as I entered the door, I was stuck with an intense «cream puff» aroma — it was outstanding!!! As this was my first visit, the wonderful employee explained how it worked. It’s really cool, because you actually get to create your own custom cream puff combination! First you choose a puff (plain or topped with hazelnut, coconut, white chocolate, dark chocolate, etc.) and then you choose a cream (4 or 5 flavours like banana, strawberry. hazelnut, etc.). It’s like $ 10 for 6 of the mini puffs, which is expensive but worth it for a special treat.

My experience with Cruffs more or less started with a group of gals right after my Dragon Boat team’s boot camp training session. We were all tired, hot, sweaty and eating one of these cream puffs… and all of the women were glaring at me in terms of pure love AND hate for bringing a box of these and wiping out the previous hour’s workout. There were many things said, like «this is the best thing I’ve ever had», «OMG», «I’m going to kick you in the b**** for ruining my diet but thanks for the awesome cream puff». «pure sweet heaven» «we’re going to pound you dead for this but yum!» and «I’ve never had anything this creamy in my mouth» (yes, I know this last one could be a risqué quote, but it’s true!). And then I had one…
Cruffs is a specialty dutch cream puff and pannekoek (a dutch version of the crêpe) maker in Mission (and Calgary Farmers Market). But of course, there is a twist! Imagine a pretty huge cream puff, and fill it with some truly tasty variations, such as strawberry cream, chocolate, chantilly, banana, baileys irish cream and quite a few more. The pastry part of the puff is light, crisp and airy as it should be, while the cream is rich and sinful, yet also still fairly light. Guys, so long as your wife or girlfriend is not lactose intolerant, think of it as kryptonite. It’ll definately weaken her to your demands to let you hang out with the guys instead next Valentine’s day! (well… maybe Arbour Day really…) Still, it’ll definately charm the gals, and the guys will just like it period (though NOT with beer).
Just go on in, ask for a number of big or small puffs, pick out your cream flavours (they literally inject them with cream in front of you) and enjoy! Wait, maybe enjoy in front of a window of a fitness club to make it ever more sinful. Slow small bites into each puff to properly display the sensuous cream inside. Stretch it out… make the fitness people suffer. (Yes, I know this is cruel, but I never said that I wasn’t an evil reviewer: P)
In a funny trivia way, the family that owns and operates it are following their tradition, despite being Indonesian. This family previously owned the popular resto on 14^th St SW, The Indonesian, before selling it and going off on their own business adventures. The chef and main owner does Indonesian food catering on the side, while other members of her family opened Cruffs. Indoneisa, being a former Dutch, colony, picked up a lot of their culture and foods, and vice versa. To get a really good idea and if you’ve had Indonesian before, head over to Indonesian Kitchen on 17 Ave SE for a meal, and you’ll see how many Indonesian dishes are what you may have thought was dutch!

Being lactose intolerant, every bite counts. I will sacrifice a days worth of fair weather for a good cream puff! I’m happy to finally see a cream puff place in Calgary but thoroughly disappointed it wasn’t as good as I expected in comparison to other places. Cruffs shares a parking lot with a pizza joint so parking is quite difficult. It’s better to find side street parking and walk a couple steps more to avoid the hassle.

Driving around Mission looking for trouble (just kidding!) and saw Cruffs. Hmmm… Tonight was the night I would make my way in there and see what all this fuss was about. We are not dessert people but we thought we would treat ourselves to a half dozen cream puffs depending on the look of them. We were greeted graciously by the owner Mario and he explained the menu and the types of cream puffs he serves as well as the fillings. Whoaaaa — did I see Baileys filling? I was sold from the get-​go when I small that small vat of deliciousness! We stuck somehow to our half dozen so we were able to get one of each mini puff that was colourfully displayed. The fillings we mixed up — these were comprised of strawberry, vanilla, BAILEYS and hazelnut. Mario also gave us a sample each of a plain mini with blueberry as he was near empty that canister. We looked through his book at his lovely creations photo book including cream puff cakes and crêpe cakes. I would for sure use him for a special event to create a dessert for us!!! Mario is from Indonesia and he explained that his country gets a lot of influence from the Dutch so they do have cream puffs over there. My tidbit of cultural learning for the day! Loved it, loved him, love this place! We devoured 2 silky cream puffs in the car as our headlights blinded the shop in the parked position. O M G, good, soft, flaky, homemade, creamy, flavourful! And not too sweet, THAT I liked!
5 stars, we will be quick to return here!

If I had a last meal on earth this would be it! MMMMM Bailey’s in my Cream Puff? Ummm yes please! I wanted to eat the entire box om nom nom. OH you have coconut and Bailey’s all up in my cream puff?! Well I think I have lived and enjoyed the decadence of my favourite things all rolled into one.
I wanted to lick to the box. Seriously these cream puffs are to die for. I normally hate chocolate covered anything but these I make an exception for. The only thing I can say more is eat these cream puffs and enjoy the sheer magnificence of them. Now excuse me while I dab the drool off my face.

These cream puffs are about as close as it’s going to get to being as good as the ones my grandma used to make. I only just discovered Cruffs at the Fall Calgary Women’s Show and what a hazard! If I lived any closer to the store, I’d eat there often enough to end up looking like a cream puff myself, I’m sure.
The entire filling selection concept is brilliant and they are so cleverly decorated in the showcase. By trying the Skor cream puff with Chantilly Cream, I was completely sold. I purchased the box arrangement with assorted fillings. Even the white chocolate bow is luscious and the fine details on the chocolate plaque are impressive.
I’d recommend Cruffs to anyone looking for a unique gift or dessert idea.
²⁄₃₀ for Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge

Fantastic. The owner really takes pride in these delicious treats. The puffs were light and flaky and the cream smooth and rich. We tried 6 of the coated puffs with a nice mix and match of flavors.
Recommend the cookies and cream puff with the plain cream filling.
Must visit on a trip to Calgary, as it is located in a trendy downtown area with a lot of nice shops to stroll through.

So good! bought a dozen minis! These are so light and creamy. I could have 1 a day and die a very happy woman. Everyone should try them.

I love LOVE cream puffs ! So much so, that no matter what city I visit — New York, Shanghai, Vancouver… I have to drag my husband all over the city to get my fill of Beard Papa Cream Puffs (it is a Japanese cream puff chain).
OMG! How fantastic is it that Calgary has its own cream puff place now?! These cream puffs are to die for. Cruffs has multiple fillings to choose from. Minis and regular size… minis are great, except that I end up having 3 in one sitting. So maybe I should have had a regular sized one to have a proper «fix». Next time I will have to get me some chocolate covered cream puffs too. This place definitely knows what they are doing. AND most importantly, my husband thanks them for opening in Calgary… no need to hunt cream puffs down on our vacations ! YAY!

Raise your hand if you like cream puffs! Raise two hands if you like them over the counter style with a bunch of filling options!
Little Cruffs Cream Puffs is the new cupcake place. Cute little sugar dusted cream puffs offered in regular and adorable mini sizes are available in singles, half’s and full dozens with choose-​it-​yourself fillings; making this place a fun twist on the classic over-​the-​counter dessert.
Let’s be fair, I’m not a huge dessert person, but this place is warming and cute and if you like cream puffs, get ready to fall right in love.
It’s in an unassuming location next to Vin Room on 4^th that sort of feels like you’re walking into a gas station convenience store; but once inside, the smell of sugar and butter reassures you that you are far far away from any diesel.
Get ready to get silky Chantilly cream all over your fingers as you enjoy a little taste of France in the middle of the prairie; or for about $ 20 be the big hit at your next potluck and bring a dozen for dessert.
T.

I was sceptical that these little puppies could even be in the same league as my mom’s. She is the queen of cream puffs, in my opinion, but when Groupon had the $ 10 for $ 5 deal (before the whole Superbowl ad fiasco), I bought one thinking I’d give Cruffs a try. Well, today was the day, and I was not disappointed. Not only are they (almost) as good as mom’s, but they have more flavour choices. We bought a dozen because we have two strapping teenage boys so clearly anything less would not be enough, and we had the Groupon as an added bonus.
Being the day before the «holiday» I love to hate, they were quite busy, and ran out of regular size puffs. Not to worry though, he asked if he could substitute two minis for one regular. That arrangement worked just fine so we had 10 regular puffs and 4 mini puffs. With such a selection of flavours, we had to try a variety and were impressed that each puff had the flavour neatly written on the bottom of the paper cup.
We ordered Bailey’s, strawberry, Chantilly cream and vanilla. My favourite? Bailey’s — hands down. The sign was handwritten so I’m not sure that this is a regular flavour choice, but all of the others we tried were delicious too. There wasn’t a bad flavour in the bunch (my mom’s strawberry ones are better, but hers aren’t for sale and she doesn’t make them often).
I am more easily tempted by pastry and cream than by cupcakes any day, and a Cruffs cream puff is cheaper than any cupcake I’ve seen in the city. Cruffs is a truly delightful treat.

Coolest dessert shop in #yyc. Great assortment of filling flavors and not a bad price. Too good to stay away from.

Been there once, braved the –20s and went there again after 2 days, and again after 3 hours. Absolutely the best cream puffs I’ve had!
The chocolate fillings are just awesome!

Well hello there little cream puff. What are you doing in a place like this? You’re so delicate and sweet in contrast to the harsh winter wind chilling me to the bone today. But it’s a wind I did brave to come to greet you. I’ve heard good things and decided it was time you and I met.
Your creator explained to me that I could pick your flavour. I was to pick out you, or one of your little brother or sister cream puffs. I picked you of course and in three different mixtures of flavours. Chocolate and banana, vanilla and strawberry, coconut and banana. You’re lightly flaked exterior expanded right before my eyes as I watched your creator pump his soft creamy pudding inside of you.
I couldn’t wait to take you home. Now I’m here, and your sitting across the room from me, staring, waiting… only increasing my longing. I’ve already given in to the chocolate and banana version of you and I fear my self control won’t last much longer. One little cream puff simply doesn’t satisfy me. So fresh, so tender. It’s time.

Mmmm cream puffs!
This name, cream puff was a bit baffling. I couldn’t imagine a WHOLE shop dedicated to one single pastry! A whole shop that does a sweet croissant, cut in half, and filled with whipped cream?
Then I find out this place makes (fresh daily) sweet pastry balls, iced or plain, and filled with your favourite filling! Ohhhh, you mean profiteroles!
So, now I love profiteroles & cream puffs… and especially Cruffs.
I went around 6PM on a Sunday… the fridge of specialties was almost bare (good for them, not for me) but a friendly man pointed out a few options, and explained the filling flavours.
I chose 2 with a Coconut flake topping, and one plain cream puff. I stuffed the Coconut, with more Coconut… and the plain with Chantilly Cream & Strawberry.
O M G.
At the time of my visit, the flavours they had available were Strawberry, Vanilla, Coconut, Chantilly Cream, & Chocolate. According to their website they also offer Vanilla, Vanilla Rum, Lemon, Hazelnut Chocolate, and Banana. I can’t wait to try the lemon. Zing!
5 stars for prices. 4.5 stars for location, parking, general aesthetics. 5.5 stars for great staff. 5 stars for quality of delightful little cream puffs.
I’m planning a friends wedding this summer, and just as the mini cupcake towers were all the rage 5 years ago — I predict cream puff towers at weddings all over town this year…
Cream Puff dress — check!
Cream Puff cake — check!
Sounds like a match made in heaven to me…
KLM

An article in the Calgary Herald drew my attention to this place. I love pastries, especially cream puffs so I had to experience this place firsthand. I brought the kids after school and they were excited to see how they could customize their own ‘cruff’.
This cute establishment is a great alternative to the cupcake craze that we are all too familiar with. If you’re looking for light & fluffy pillows from heaven then check this place out!
They’ve got mini & full size puffs ready to be filled with your choice of creamy, luscious filling. Don’t forget to try their panekoeks — delicate dessert crepes filled with their clever combination of flavors. I’m not big on cheesecake, however the strawberry cheesecake is pretty damn good & ditto for their crunchy caramel.
Give them a try. You won’t be disappointed!