Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups for the Ultimate Indulgence
Indulge in delicious cinnamon roll apple pie cups, a warm, easy dessert combining cinnamon rolls and apple pie for the ultimate treat. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 2 medium-sized apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
- Granny Smith apples provide a tart bite perfectly balancing the sweetness of the cinnamon roll, while Honeycrisp apples are sweeter for a more mellow flavor. Choose whichever apple you prefer or have on hand!
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Brown sugar brings a rich caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the apples, enhancing that classic apple pie flavor.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon is key in creating that warm cozy, spiced flavor we love in apple pie, and it melds perfectly with the cinnamon roll dough.
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg optional
- Nutmeg enhances the flavor with a subtle nutty and fragrant note. It’s optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of warmth.
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Lemon juice livens up the apple filling and balances the sweetness while also slowing down the browning of the apples.
For the Cinnamon Roll Cups:
- 1 can 8 count refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- This is where the magic happens! Pre-made cinnamon roll dough makes these cups so easy to assemble giving you that flaky, cinnamon-spiced dough without all the work.
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Butter helps the dough bake to a beautiful golden-brown color and adds richness to the cinnamon roll cups. A little extra butter never hurts right?
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- A touch of sugar sprinkled on top gives the cups a light crisp sweetness, adding that perfect finishing touch to the cinnamon rolls.
Optional Toppings:
- Caramel sauce
- For an indulgent finish drizzle some caramel sauce over the warm cups. It’s the perfect complement to the cinnamon and apples, making each bite extra delicious.
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Enhance these cups with a swirl of whipped cream or a serving of vanilla ice cream to create a luxuriously creamy and decadent treat.
Instructions
Prepare the Apple Filling
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s hot and ready when the time comes.
- Peel and chop your apples into small, bite-sized pieces. A tart apple like Granny Smith works perfectly for a nice balance against the sweetness of the cinnamon roll dough, but feel free to use your favorite variety.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg for a hint of spice if desired. Lemon juice will help enhance the flavors and keep the apples fresh. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly coated in the sweet, spiced mixture. Set this aside while we prep the dough.
Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Dough
- Remove the refrigerated cinnamon rolls from the can and gently separate each one. You’ll want to save the icing for later because we’re not using it just yet.
- Grease your muffin tin lightly with butter or non-stick spray. This will ensure your cinnamon roll cups come out easily after baking.
- Place one cinnamon roll into each muffin cup, gently pressing the dough into the bottom and up the sides to create a little “bowl.” This is where we’ll tuck the apple filling.
Fill the Cinnamon Roll Cups
- Spoon the apple mixture generously into each cinnamon roll cup. Fill them up, making sure the apples are well-distributed in the dough. Don’t be shy—these cups will hold the perfect amount of sweet apple goodness!
Add a Touch of Sweetness
- Drizzle this will give the cinnamon rolls that rich, golden, crispy texture.
- Lightly sprinkle granulated sugar on top of each cup for an added touch of sweetness and a slight crunch.
Bake to Golden Perfection
- Place the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the cinnamon roll cups are golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling up. Keep an eye on them in the final minutes—once they’re golden, they’re done!
Serve and Enjoy!
- Allow the cinnamon roll apple pie cups to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the muffin tin. A spoon or knife will help gently lift them out.
- For a more decadent dessert, drizzle caramel sauce over the top or add a generous spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm, sweet flavors of the apples combined with the buttery cinnamon roll dough are simply irresistible.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 290
-
Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
-
Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 21g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Potassium: 100mg
- Iron: 1.5mg