You only need TWO ingredients to make mouthwatering cinnamon roll apple pie cups. Cinnamon rolls pair with apple pie filling to make this amazing dessert. It’s easy enough for any home cook, even if you’re brand new to baking.
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Served warm from the oven, I just know you are going to be so impressed with these gorgeous treats. They are so good served with ice cream and caramel sauce on top. Everyone will already be in the kitchen when these are done since the apple and fall spice flavors will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery. Who can resist that aroma?
So if you have some cinnamon roll dough along with apple pie filling, you’re all set to make these wonderful cinnamon apple desserts. They’re equally as perfect for breakfast or brunch as they are for dessert.
My cinnamon roll cheesecake and these puff pastry cinnamon twists are two of my other favorites when I'm in the mood for cinnamon desserts. These two go good for breakfast too!
Main Ingredients
Considering there are only 2 ingredients in this easy recipe, they are both main ingredients. Let’s take a look at each one:
- Cinnamon rolls: For texture and a cinnamon flavor. You will need a package of cinnamon roll dough which comes with the frosting included. I like to use flaky cinnamon rolls which come with a buttercream frosting. You can try another kind if you like.
- Apple pie filling: For a perfectly spiced fruity filling. You can use the kind with coarsely chopped apples or finely chopped apples. If the chunks are more than ½-inch cut them a little finer. If you love the spices in the filling, feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, and/or nutmeg to the mix. Ground cloves or allspice would also be nice, but don’t use more than a tiny pinch.
Instructions Overview
Being a 2-ingredient recipe, you will expect the instructions to be easy and you’d be right! First, you can grease 8 of the cavities in a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or melted butter and preheat the oven.
Next, press chilled cinnamon roll dough into the greased muffin cavities. Divide the filling between each one and bake until golden brown. This should take about 15 minutes. Let them cool a bit before drizzling the frosting on top and serve warm.
Common Questions
It often comes in 21-ounce cans. Since this equates to 1½ cups and you only need ⅓ cup of filling, it’s easiest just to use a ⅓-cup measuring cup to get the perfect amount.
A cinnamon bun has a brown sugar glaze while a cinnamon roll has a creamy frosting. The frosting you get with readymade cinnamon roll dough is perfect for cinnamon roll apple pie cups, so if you only have cinnamon bun mix, you’ll need to buy or make the frosting yourself.
Apples, butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, and spices are the main ingredients in most fillings, but check the labels on the cans if you’re comparing brands.
Don’t worry if your cinnamon rolls have an expiration date on them. It’s a known fact that canned goods can keep for decades longer than labeled! Unless the can is misshapen or swollen they will be fine in this recipe.
These sweet pastries are commonly served for breakfast, but there’s no rule about them only being suitable for your morning meal! Trust me, nobody is going to complain about getting one of these for dessert!
Packaged cinnamon rolls typically aren’t vegan, so you might like to check the label if you’re concerned. This dairy free carrot cake is vegan though, so perhaps make this instead (or as well!)
If you’re using a 21-ounce can of filling you will have some leftover since you only need ⅓ cup of it for this recipe. You can use any leftovers to make jam. It’s also nice spooned over your yogurt in the morning or you can have it in a bowl of ice cream sundae or Fro-Yo.
Pair these apple cups with a cup of coffee or cappuccino if you’re enjoying them for breakfast or brunch. They also make a nice dessert. You don’t really need to add ice cream or whipped cream since they’re already frosted, but you can if you want, of course. Drizzle some caramel sauce on top for extra indulgence.
Keep them refrigerated so the frosting doesn’t melt and run.
Make them up to a day ahead if you like. I love them warm from the oven though! You can warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave before serving. They will be safe to eat for more than a day but they will dry out and not be so good.
Let them cool completely then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a big Ziploc bag. They should be thawed and enjoyed within 6 weeks for the best results.
I find the regular size ones are best if you’re using a standard muffin pan. The grand ones are a little too big unless you trim off the excess dough. Make sure you flatten the dough well before adding it to the muffin cups. You don’t want them to puff up.
I haven’t made these with anything other than apple pie filling but you can try pumpkin pie filling or another kind if you want to experiment! The recipe is so quick and easy I’m sure you’ll want to make these more than once. In fact, I know you will!
Chopnotch Tips
- The cinnamon roll crust should be refrigerated before you start making the recipe because it’s easier to split into separate rolls without them sticking together.
- Microwave the frosting for 5 to 10 seconds on 10% power so it’s thin enough to drizzle over the apple cups.
- Use a nonstick muffin tin to ensure these little treats come out without sticking.
- Leftover apple pie filling makes a tasty breakfast mixed with quick oats or you can spoon it over ice cream or stir it into yogurt for a quick and easy dessert.
- You can tell they are cooked through when they are no longer doughy and the cinnamon rolls are golden at the edges.
Make these cinnamon roll apple pie cups just once and you’ll want to make them more often. They are so easy and so tasty as well!
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Let us know what you think! Give this recipe a rating in the comments section below.
Recipe
How to Make
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups
Ingredients
- 1 package cinnamon rolls, with frosting and refrigerated
- ⅓ cup apple pie filling, chopped into one half inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease 8 cups of a muffin tin.
- Remove the 8 cinnamon rolls from their package and press each one of them into and up the sides of the greased muffin tin cups. Then transfer about 2 large tablespoonfuls of the filling into each one.
- Bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then drizzle the frosting on top of them. Serve while they are still warm and enjoy!
Notes
- The cinnamon roll crust should be refrigerated before you start making the recipe because it’s easier to split into separate rolls without them sticking together.
- Microwave the frosting for 5 to 10 seconds on 10% power so it’s thin enough to drizzle over the apple cups.
- Use a nonstick muffin tin to ensure these little treats come out without sticking.
- Leftover apple pie filling makes a tasty breakfast mixed with quick oats or you can spoon it over ice cream or stir it into yogurt for a quick and easy dessert.
- You can tell they are cooked through when they are no longer doughy and the cinnamon rolls are golden at the edges.
Just the right size. 2nd time making them!
Awesome, Cheryl! Thanks for the review and glad you like them!!