Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups

These Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups combine soft, cinnamon-swirled dough with warm apple pie filling in easy individual portions. They bake in a muffin pan and finish with the icing from the cinnamon roll can, plus an optional drizzle of caramel.

They’re a cozy choice for fall breakfasts, brunch, potlucks, or a quick dessert. Serve them warm on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 12–16 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Servings: 8 cups

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling in one easy treat
Made with convenient refrigerated dough
Baked as individual portions in a muffin pan
Simple to prepare for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
Easy to finish with icing, caramel, or pecans
Delicious served warm
Great for fall gatherings and holiday brunches

Ingredients

1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, 8 rolls
1 can apple pie filling, about 21 ounces
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
1 tablespoon melted butter, optional
2 tablespoons chopped pecans, optional
Caramel sauce, for serving, optional

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease eight cups of a standard muffin pan.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

Spoon the apple pie filling into a bowl and chop the apple pieces into small, bite-size pieces. Stir in the ground cinnamon if you’d like a stronger cinnamon flavor.

Small pieces fit better inside the cups and make them easier to eat.

Step 3: Shape the Cinnamon Roll Cups

Separate the cinnamon rolls and set the icing aside. Press or roll each cinnamon roll into a flat round, then gently press it into a muffin cup.

Push the dough across the bottom and partway up the sides to create a small cup. Keep the dough even so it bakes at the same rate.

Step 4: Add the Apple Filling

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apple pie filling into each dough cup. Avoid overfilling; the filling may bubble over as it bakes.

Step 5: Add Butter and Pecans

Brush the exposed dough lightly with melted butter, if using. Sprinkle the cups with chopped pecans for a little crunch.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 12–16 minutes, until the cinnamon roll dough is puffed and golden and the filling is hot. If the centers still look doughy, bake for another minute or two and check again.

Step 7: Cool and Ice

Let the cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully loosen the edges and transfer them to a plate or cooling rack.

Warm the reserved icing for a few seconds until it’s easy to drizzle, then spoon it over the cups. Add caramel sauce if desired.

Step 8: Serve Warm

Enjoy the cups warm, plain or topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips for the Best Apple Pie Cups

Chop the apple pieces small. This helps the filling fit neatly inside the dough.
Don’t overfill. Too much filling can spill over and make the cups harder to remove.
Grease the muffin pan well. The sticky cinnamon-sugar dough can cling to the pan.
Press the dough evenly. Thin spots may bake too quickly, while thick areas can remain doughy.
Let the cups rest before removing them. A few minutes of cooling helps the edges set.
Drizzle icing after baking. Adding it to hot cups can cause it to melt away completely.

Delicious Variations

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Cups

Drizzle caramel sauce over the iced cups and sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans.

Apple Crisp Cups

Add a little oat crumble to each cup before baking. Mix ¼ cup oats with one tablespoon flour, one tablespoon brown sugar, and one tablespoon melted butter.

Cream Cheese Apple Cups

Add a small spoonful of sweetened cream cheese beneath the apple filling. Beat 2 ounces softened cream cheese with one tablespoon powdered sugar until smooth.

Extra-Cinnamon Cups

Mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon with the apple filling and sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the dough before baking.

Homemade Apple Filling

For a fresher filling, cook two peeled and diced apples with one tablespoon butter, two tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and one teaspoon lemon juice for 6–8 minutes, until just tender. Cool before spooning into the cups.

Can I Make Them Ahead?

These cups are best served fresh and warm, but you can prepare the apple filling up to two days ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Shape and fill the cinnamon roll cups shortly before baking.

You can also bake them a few hours ahead and warm them briefly before serving. Add the icing after reheating for the neatest finish.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat them in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes or microwave one cup for about 15–20 seconds. The oven helps the dough stay firmer.

Can You Freeze Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups?

Yes. Let the baked cups cool completely, then freeze them in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven before serving. Add the icing after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?

Yes. Divide the dough into eight portions, flatten each one, and press it into the muffin cups. Allow extra time for rising if your dough recipe requires it.

Can I use fresh apples instead of canned filling?

Yes. Cook the diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until softened, then cool the filling before adding it to the dough.

Why are my cups doughy in the middle?

The dough may have been too thick or the cups may have been overfilled. Press the dough into an even layer and bake until the edges are golden and the centers look set.

How do I keep the cups from sticking?

Grease the muffin pan well and let the cups cool for a few minutes before loosening them. A thin silicone spatula or butter knife can help release the edges.

Can I add caramel before baking?

It’s better to drizzle caramel over the baked cups. Caramel can bubble and stick to the muffin pan during baking.

What can I serve with them?

Serve with coffee, tea, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips

Use a spoon to portion the filling evenly, and keep it below the top edge of each dough cup. Let the cups cool briefly before removing them, then drizzle with icing while they’re still warm. For a dessert-style finish, add caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups are a simple way to enjoy the flavors of cinnamon rolls and apple pie without making pastry from scratch. They’re warm, sweet, easy to serve, and perfect for fall breakfasts, brunches, or a quick homemade dessert.