Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
If you’re anything like me and love that cozy, warm feeling that comes with a sweet, flaky treat, then you’re going to adore this Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe. It’s so simple, yet so satisfying—those tender apple slices wrapped in buttery crescent dough with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar, baked fresh, and ready in under 30 minutes. I promise you’ll want these for breakfast, dessert, or anytime your sweet tooth calls!
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick & Easy: Ready from prep to plate in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or last-minute snacks.
- Flavor Harmony: The balance of crisp apples, warm cinnamon, and flaky crescent rolls creates a mouthwatering treat every time.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples and a simple apple to make a delicious, comforting pastry.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak with different sugars, butters, or fruit varieties to suit your taste and dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Let’s talk about what you’ll need and why these ingredients create such a magic combo. The star is, of course, the apple—make sure to pick a crisp, flavorful variety so your rolls have just the right balance of sweetness and texture. The cinnamon and sugar mix brings that classic warm flavor, and the crescent roll dough helps you get those flaky, golden bites without much fuss.
- Apple: Use a crisp apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith for a great texture and tart-sweet flavor that stands up to baking.
- Sugar: I like blending brown sugar, coconut sugar, and sometimes a touch of Stevia to keep it sweet but with depth and less refined sugar.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice that pairs perfectly with apples, elevating the flavor profile.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Crescent Rolls: Pre-made crescent rolls save so much time and give you that perfect flakiness without making dough from scratch.
- Vegan Butter: Melts beautifully over the rolls, adding moisture and richness that you’ll notice in every bite.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe my own by switching up the spices or adding things I have on hand—it’s super forgiving. You absolutely should feel free to play around with it to match your cravings or dietary preferences.
- Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, inside the roll for a crunchy contrast, and it’s heavenly.
- Dairy-Free Option: Using vegan butter makes this recipe completely plant-based without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Fruit Swap: You can swap apples for pears or even peaches, just be sure to adjust baking time for softer fruits.
- Sweetener Swap: If you want less sugar, Stevia or monk fruit work well as substitutes—just tweak the amounts to taste.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Bake Those Apple Slices
Start by slicing your apples thinly and evenly—this helps them cook quickly and evenly inside the crescent rolls. I usually line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat to prevent sticking, then spread the apples out and pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes. This softens the apples up just enough so they’re tender inside the rolls without turning mushy.
Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar Magic
While your apples are baking, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This blend is the heart of the flavor, so if you’re feeling adventurous, this is also the moment to tweak it—maybe add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for something different.
Step 3: Brush, Sprinkle, and Roll
Unroll your crescent dough and gently brush each triangle with melted vegan butter—this keeps the rolls soft and golden. Sprinkle a bit of your cinnamon sugar on the dough, then place a baked apple slice right at the wider end and roll it up tightly. Brush the tops with more vegan butter and give them another sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake according to the crescent roll package instructions, usually around 9 minutes at 375°F. Keep an eye on them—the rolls should puff up nicely and turn a beautiful golden brown. I like to bake them in the middle rack to get an even heat distribution.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Thin Apple Slices Matter: Thinner slices bake evenly and prevent sogginess in the rolls.
- Butter Brushing Is Key: Brushing both inside and on top with melted butter keeps the dough golden and moist.
- Don’t Overfill: Leaving a little room on the edges when rolling avoids fillings oozing out while baking.
- Mid-Oven Baking: Placing the baking sheet in the oven’s center rack promotes even cooking and browning.
How to Serve Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the warm rolls before serving—it adds a lovely touch of sweetness and looks pretty too! For extra indulgence, a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce or a small dollop of vanilla coconut whipped cream is divine.
Side Dishes
These rolls go great with a cup of hot coffee or chai tea for a cozy morning. If I’m serving them for dessert, I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla vegan ice cream or a simple green salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or holiday mornings, I’ve arranged these rolls in a circle on a large platter, dusted them with cinnamon sugar, then placed apple slices or edible flowers in the center for a festive look that gets compliments every time. They’re super shareable and look charming on any breakfast or dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, I avoid refrigerating unless your kitchen is really warm, since refrigeration can dry out the crescent dough.
Freezing
I often freeze these rolls before baking—just assemble them, put them on a tray lined with parchment, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want a quick treat, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a total game-changer for busy mornings!
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until warm and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful flaky texture—it can get a bit soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh cinnamon instead of ground cinnamon in the Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe?
Fresh cinnamon sticks don’t work the same way in this recipe since the ground cinnamon mixes easily with sugar and coating the apples and dough is easier. However, you could simmer apple slices with cinnamon sticks to infuse flavor before baking, but it’s more time-consuming. For quick and even flavor, ground cinnamon is best.
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What’s the best apple type for Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe?
I recommend using a crisp apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith. These keep their shape during baking and offer a lovely balance of tart and sweet that complements the cinnamon sugar perfectly.
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Can I make the recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Just use vegan crescent rolls and swap butter for any plant-based butter or margarine. I use vegan butter in this recipe, and it tastes so rich and buttery you won’t even miss the dairy.
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How long do leftover crescent rolls stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re best eaten within 1-2 days to enjoy maximum freshness and flaky texture. Beyond that, they can start to dry out or get chewy.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so simple yet feels like a warm hug in pastry form. Whether you’re sharing them with family, sneaking one for yourself, or impressing guests with minimal effort, these rolls are a winner. I genuinely hope you give this one a try—you’ll enjoy how quickly it comes together and how effortlessly it fills your kitchen with cozy, inviting aromas. Happy baking, friend!
PrintCinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Apple Crescent Rolls are a delightful, warm treat featuring crisp apple slices wrapped in flaky crescent dough, spiced with cinnamon and sugar, and finished with melted vegan butter. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or a comforting 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 and to prevent sticking.
- Bake Apples: Arrange the sliced apples on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to soften them slightly and enhance their natural sweetness.
- Mix Sugar and Spices: While the apples bake, combine the brown sugar, coconut sugar, Stevia, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl to create a flavorful spice mixture.
- Prepare Crescent Rolls: Roll out the crescent dough and lightly brush each piece with melted vegan butter, then sprinkle evenly with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Assemble Rolls: Place a baked apple slice onto each crescent dough piece, then roll them up, brush the tops with more vegan butter, and sprinkle additional sugar mixture on top for a sweet finish.
- Bake Crescent Rolls: Bake the rolls according to the crescent roll package instructions, usually about 9 minutes, until golden brown and flaky.
Notes
- Use a crisp and flavorful apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best taste and texture.
- Bake the apples in the middle of the oven to ensure even heat distribution.
- Slice apples thinly and uniformly to ensure they bake evenly within the rolls.
- Serve the crescent rolls warm to enjoy their full cinnamon apple flavor and flaky texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg