From the croll to the cronut: seven weird and wonderful baking hybrids

Struggling to decide between an indulgent morning croissant and a functional roll on-the-go? Fear not: the choice anxiety you face with your morning pastry fix is fast becoming a thing of the past, as trendy baked hybrids make their way to artisan bakeries and supermarket shelves alike.

The new “croll” pastry goes on sale at Asda today at £1 for two, and promises to combine the buttery taste and flaky texture of the classic croissant with the structure of a sliceable, scoffable bread roll. The growing popularity of the croll follows hot on the heels of the “cronut” (a mixture between a croissant and a donut) and the “dogel”, a donut-like bagel.

Emily Stevens, Asda’s bakery product developer, told The Times: “The croll is a revolution for pastry enthusiasts. Not only will you avoid leaving a trail of flakes behind, the croll is extremely versatile.”

If that's got you feeling peckish, here's some other weird and downright wonderful baking hybrids to satisfy your carbohydrate cravings and inspire your next showstopping bake - from macaron cupcakes to freakshakes: 

1. The croll

As well as at Asda, you can pick up a croll at Starbucks in the form of the double-smoked bacon, cheddar and egg sandwich. The thick-cut bacon is slow-smoked over hardwood, and paired with a fluffy egg patty and melted slice of  cheese, all on their signature croissant bun (perhaps that should be a "crun?"). 

2. The cronut

The Dominique Ansel bakery saw pastry fans queue in droves when it launched on London's Elizabeth Street in Belgravia last year. It brought celebrated inventions including the Welsh Rarebit croissant and, of course, the infamous "cronut" to the UK.

We can't get enough of September's special fig caramel cronut, filled with fig jam, and Valrhona caramelized milk chocolate ganache.

3. The dagel

The brainchild of The Doughnut Project in Brooklyn, New York, the dagel, or dogel, is a pastry for those who struggle to choose between a bagel and a doughnut for breakfast. Moe's Dough, also in Brooklyn, was an early adopter. There's few to be found in the UK, but you can search on Pinterest for recipe inspiration ranging from blueberry bagels to crème brulèe doughnuts.

4. Rainbow bagels

If you want to inject a bit of colour into your bake, you could try the rainbow bagel Instagram sensation from The Beigel Shop in Brick Lane. They've also recently launched a rainbow croissant.

 5. Red velvet blondie doughnuts

The South East Cakerystarted life in Peckham, and now it's sassy, sugary bakes can be found at the likes of The Big Feastivel, Model Market in Lewisham, Hawker House in Canary Wharf and the KERB market in Camden. They're known for their creativity, as exemplified by these red velvet-dusted, blondie-stuffed miniature doughnuts.

 6. Macaron cupcakes

Lily Bakes Cakes is a Glasgow-based bakery that specialises in creating explosive hybrids of your favourite childhood ingredients and baked goodies. These stylish macaron cupcakes are a case in point.

 7. The "freakshake"

The freakshake originated in Australia, according to Paul Cadby, author of Freakshakes : Mega milkshakes for sweet tooth fanatics. It's a concoction of milkshake, cake, donut, biscuit, and pretty much anything-you-like that is now a firm favourite on the UK foodie scene.

Some of the best in the UK can be found at Barley and Beans in Liverpool, The Great British Cupcakery in Newcastle and at Le Freakshaker in Dalston, London.