Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
If you’re looking for a quick, cozy treat that hits all the right notes, you’re in for a real delight with my Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe. These little pockets of cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in flaky crescent dough are honestly one of my favorite easy desserts or breakfast treats. I’m excited to share not only the recipe but tips and tricks that guarantee you’ll come out with perfectly tender apples and golden, buttery rolls every time!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, it’s perfect for a last-minute sweet craving.
- Balanced Flavor: The combo of cinnamon, sugar, and crisp apples creates a warm, comforting taste with just the right sweetness.
- Perfect Texture: Baking the apple slices first ensures they soften tenderly while the crescent rolls crisp up beautifully.
- Versatility: Whether you want a vegan option or to tweak sweetness levels, this recipe adapts wonderfully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe relies on a small but thoughtful list of ingredients that play off each other beautifully. I always suggest choosing good-quality, fresh ingredients—they really make the difference between a good batch and a wow batch. Plus, a couple of ingredient swaps mean you can suit the rolls to your taste or dietary needs.
- Apple: Choose a crisp, flavorful apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji; they hold up well and won’t turn mushy.
- Sugar: I like mixing brown sugar with coconut sugar and adding a pinch of Stevia to cut back on overall sweetness without losing richness.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon brings classic warmth and pairs perfectly with the apples.
- Salt: Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and enhance all flavors.
- Crescent rolls: The flaky, buttery dough is the star that wraps all those flavors together effortlessly.
- Vegan butter: Melting this and brushing over the rolls keeps them golden, moist, and adds a subtle richness.
Make It Your Way
I love how easy it is to customize this Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe—after all, the best food is the one you can make truly yours. Sometimes I swap out the sugar blend for a single sweetener I’m craving or add a handful of chopped nuts for extra crunch, and it never disappoints.
- Variation: On chilly mornings, I sometimes sprinkle a few raisins inside the rolls before baking—adds a nice little surprise of sweetness and chewiness that my family adores.
- Dietary tweaks: Using vegan butter makes this recipe plant-based, and you can opt for gluten-free crescent rolls to suit dietary needs too.
- Seasonal twist: Throw in a dash of nutmeg or swap apples for pears during fall for a new flavor vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Apple Slices to Perfection
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this keeps things clean and prevents sticking. Arrange your thin, even apple slices on the sheet and pop them into the oven for about 10 minutes. This step softens the apples just enough so they won’t turn crunchy or too raw when baked inside the rolls later. Keep a close eye — you want them tender but not mushy!
Step 2: Mix the Sugar, Cinnamon & Salt Blend
While your apples are baking, whisk together your sugars, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. This mixture is your secret weapon to that warm, cozy apple pie flavor packed inside each crescent roll. Mixing it ahead saves time and makes assembly a breeze.
Step 3: Prep Crescent Dough with Butter & Spice
Unroll your crescent dough onto a clean surface. Lightly brush each triangle with melted vegan butter—that little step helps the sugar mixture stick and adds a lovely golden color when baked. Then sprinkle a generous pinch of your cinnamon-sugar blend over each triangle.
Step 4: Wrap Apples & Final Bake
Take one or two roasted apple slices and place them near the wider end of each crescent triangle, then carefully roll it up toward the point. Once all the rolls are formed, brush the tops with more melted butter and sprinkle on more cinnamon sugar. Bake according to the crescent roll package directions (about 9 minutes) until golden and puffed. The smell alone is something else, trust me!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Even Slices Rule: Cutting your apples evenly helps them bake uniformly and prevents chewy or undercooked bites.
- Don’t Skip Pre-Baking Apples: It might feel like an extra step but roasting softens the apples enough to avoid a raw texture inside the rolls.
- Use Vegan Butter for Golden Color: Brushing both inside and outside helps create that irresistible golden crust and adds extra flavor.
- Watch Roll Spacing: Give your rolls a little breathing room on the baking sheet so they puff up nicely instead of sticking together.
How to Serve Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting the warm rolls with a little powdered sugar or a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce—it amps up the cozy vibes every time. A scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream makes these feel totally indulgent for special mornings or dessert.
Side Dishes
Pair these with a hot cup of spiced chai tea or your favorite coffee for breakfast. For a dessert touch, I sometimes serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a spiced berry compote to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For fall parties, I like to arrange them in a circular “wreath” shape on a large platter, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few fresh apple slices or rosemary sprigs for a festive flair. Kids love the hand-held factor, and it doubles as a cute centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers (which is rare in my house), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay soft and delicious but are best eaten fresh or reheated.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these fresh after rolling but before baking. Just freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen—just add a few extra minutes and watch them closely. Freeze-baking means you can enjoy fresh-baked goodness any day of the week.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop rolls in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh that crisp exterior and warm, melty apple filling. Microwaving is quicker but slightly softens the crust, so oven reheating is my top choice for flavor and texture.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits besides apples in this recipe?
Absolutely! While apples are classic here, pears or peaches can work nicely if they’re firm and sliced thinly. Just keep in mind cooking times may vary—firmer fruits like pears behave most like apples in baking.
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Do I need to pre-bake the apples?
Yes, I recommend pre-baking the apple slices to soften them before wrapping. It prevents the filling from being crunchy or undercooked inside the crescent rolls and ensures tenderness.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can! Just swap regular crescent rolls for your favorite gluten-free brand. The rest of the recipe stays the same with delicious results.
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How long do these rolls keep fresh?
Best fresh out of the oven, but leftovers store well at room temperature for a day or two. Just warm them slightly before serving to refresh their texture.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely! Using vegan butter and checking the crescent roll ingredients for dairy makes this recipe completely plant-based without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe is one of those simple joys I turn to when I want something sweet without fussing in the kitchen for hours. Every bite is a warm hug of cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery, flaky dough that’s just begging for a cozy afternoon or easy morning treat. Give it a try—you might find yourself making it again and again, just like I do.
PrintApple Crescent Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious and easy Apple Crescent Rolls featuring crisp apple slices baked inside buttery crescent dough with cinnamon sugar for a warm, comforting treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 crisp apple sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar (1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, and Stevia)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tube crescent rolls
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Bake Apple Slices: Arrange the sliced apples on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until just tender.
- Prepare Sugar Mixture: While the apples bake, mix together the brown sugar, coconut sugar, Stevia, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
- Prepare Crescent Rolls: Roll out the crescent dough and lightly brush each piece with melted vegan butter. Sprinkle a little of the sugar-cinnamon mixture on each piece.
- Assemble Rolls: Place one baked apple slice on each crescent dough triangle and roll up tightly. Brush the tops with additional melted vegan butter and sprinkle more sugar mixture on top.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the assembled crescent rolls according to the tube package instructions, typically for about 9 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- Use a crisp and flavorful apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor.
- Bake in the middle rack of the oven to ensure even heat distribution and consistent baking.
- Slice apples thinly and evenly to guarantee they bake uniformly inside the rolls.
- Serve the apple crescent rolls warm for the best taste and melty texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg