Easy Cinnamon Apple Roll Treats

Saturday mornings in our town start early. The farmers market opens at eight, and by eight fifteen half the neighborhood is already comparing produce and trading weekend plans. Last fall, I ran into Mrs. Alvarez from two streets over.

She had a paper bag filled with crisp apples and told me her grandkids were visiting for a school break. A young couple nearby debated which apples were best for baking, while a little boy kept asking if apple pie would be ready “right after lunch.”

I stood there holding my coffee, listening to all the apple talk, and realized I had promised my own kids a special weekend breakfast after a long week of tests and meetings. My work schedule had been packed, and I wanted something homemade but realistic. Not a complicated pie. Not a long proofed dough. Just something warm, sweet, and easy enough to pull together before the house fully woke up.

That afternoon, with apples spread across my counter and a tube of crescent dough waiting in the fridge, Simple Apple Roll Treats came to life. My daughter chopped apples carefully, my son mixed cinnamon and sugar with serious focus, and my husband kept peeking into the oven. When those golden rolls came out puffed and fragrant, the kitchen filled with chatter and sticky fingers reaching for glaze. By Sunday, two neighbors had already asked for the recipe.

Short Description

Apple Roll Treats are golden crescent rolls filled with buttery cinnamon apples and finished with a sweet maple glaze.

Key Ingredients

For the rolls

• 1 tube crescent roll dough
• 2 cups crunchy apples, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp real maple syrup
• 2 to 3 tbsp milk

Tools Needed

• Muffin pan
• Mixing bowls
• Pastry brush
• Spoon
• Cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan 
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Open the crescent dough and separate into triangles.

Step 2: Create the apple filling 
In a bowl, combine chopped apples, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until apples are fully coated and glossy. If mixture looks dry, add 1 tsp more melted butter.

Step 3: Assemble the rolls 
Place about 1½ tablespoons of apple filling onto the wide end of each dough triangle. Roll tightly toward the narrow tip, tucking sides slightly to prevent filling from leaking. Place each roll seam side down in muffin cups.

Step 4: Bake to golden perfection
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Tops should look crisp and lightly caramelized. If browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 5 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare the glaze 
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until glaze reaches pourable consistency.

Step 6: Finish and serve 
Drizzle glaze over warm rolls while still in the pan. Let sit 5 minutes before removing. Serve warm for best texture and flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Uses simple store bought dough to save time

Ready in under 30 minutes

Budget friendly ingredients

Kid friendly assembly

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert

Lighter than traditional apple pie

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overfilling the dough
Too much apple mixture causes leakage during baking.
Solution: Stick to about 1½ tablespoons per roll.

Cutting apples too large
Large chunks prevent tight rolling and even baking.
Solution: Dice apples into small uniform pieces.

Skipping pan spray
Rolls may stick to the muffin tin.
Solution: Spray generously or use liners.

Overbaking
Rolls become dry and overly crisp.
Solution: Remove once golden brown at 15 to 18 minutes.

Glazing too early
Excess heat makes glaze disappear into the roll.
Solution: Wait 3 to 5 minutes after baking before drizzling.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm with coffee or hot tea.

Pair with scrambled eggs for a balanced brunch.

Add a scoop of vanilla yogurt for a lighter dessert option.

Arrange on a platter for potlucks or school events.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.

Refrigerate up to 4 days.

Reheat in oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispness.

Avoid microwaving too long to prevent sogginess.

FAQs

1. Can I use canned apple pie filling?
Yes, but chop it smaller and reduce added sugar slightly.

2. What apples work best?
Honeycrisp or Granny Smith hold shape well.

3. Can I make these ahead?
Assemble and refrigerate unbaked for up to 12 hours, then bake fresh.

4. Can I freeze them?
Freeze baked rolls without glaze up to 2 months.

5. Can I reduce sugar?
Lower brown sugar to ¼ cup for a less sweet filling.

Tips & Tricks

Chop apples evenly for consistent baking.

Brush tops lightly with butter before baking for extra color.

Add a pinch of nutmeg for deeper spice flavor.

Recipe Variations

Caramel Apple Rolls: Add 1 tbsp caramel sauce to filling before rolling. Flavor becomes richer and slightly buttery.

Apple Cream Cheese Rolls: Spread 1 tsp softened cream cheese on dough before adding apples for creamy center.

Nutty Apple Rolls: Add 2 tbsp finely chopped pecans to filling for crunch.

Spiced Maple Version: Add ¼ tsp nutmeg and replace milk in glaze with extra maple syrup for stronger maple flavor.

Final Thoughts

Apple Roll Treats can turn a regular weekend into a cozy little highlight without requiring hours in the kitchen. They bake quickly, rely on simple pantry staples, and fill the house with the scent of cinnamon and baked apples that draws everyone closer to the oven.

Passing them along to neighbors and chatting with other busy parents about easy baking ideas keeps my kitchen connected to the people around me. Seeing my family reach for seconds and ask when we can make another batch shows how simple treats can leave lasting smiles.