Easy Apple Pie Cupcakes

A fun and easy apple pie cupcake recipe made with cinnamon roll dough, spiced apples and a crumble topping. How can it go wrong? Jump to the Apple Pie Cupcakes Recipe

Easy Apple Pie Cupcakes Recipe

How to Make Apple Pie Cupcakes with a Cinnamon Roll Crust

The bottom of the cupcakes are made from cinnamon roll dough (store-bought or homemade) that have been flattened out into thin discs. Then we fill the middle with apples that are cooked in butter, lemon and cinnamon. Everything is topped with buttery streusel and baked.

How to Make Apple Pie Cupcakes with a Cinnamon Roll Crust

We absolutely love these cupcakes, not to mention the aroma of cinnamon rolls and apple pie baking in the oven will make anyone buckle at the knees. Just in case you were interested, we have a homemade apple pie recipe, too. Click here to see our favorite apple pie from scratch!

These are simple to make. When you choose apples for baking, go for apples that will hold its shape after cooking. We really like Granny Smith, Fuji and Braeburn apples. Cook the apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Then when they are tender, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on top.

Easy Apple Pie Cupcakes

For the crust of the apple cupcakes, we use store-bought cinnamon roll dough. Any brand will work for this — or, if you have it, a homemade dough also works. Simply pat each cinnamon roll into a thin disk then press them into cupcake cups. Divide the apples between the cups and then top with a simple crumble topping made from flour, brown sugar, butter, and nuts.

Easy Apple Cupcakes

The cupcakes bake for about 12 minutes and can then be served how ever you like. Whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce are all great ideas!

Back in the day we were contributors for Betty Crocker. We shared this recipe with them. We loved it so much we had to share an adapted version with you.

Recipe updated, originally posted January 2012. Since posting this in 2012, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear and added a quick recipe video. – Adam and Joanne

Easy Apple Pie Cupcakes

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL

These apple pie cupcakes are made with store-bought cinnamon rolls that have been flattened into discs and placed into cupcake cups. Then we fill them with cooked apples and top with a streusel topping. When chopping your apples, it can be helpful to spritz them with a little lemon juice (teaspoon or so). This way, they will not brown or discolor.

Makes 8 cupcakes

Watch Us Make the Recipe

You Will Need

Apple Cupcakes

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large baking apples, peeled, cored and diced in to 1/4-inch cubes

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

Juice from half a lemon

1 can (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon roll dough

Whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce for topping

Crumble Topping

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions

  • Prepare Apples
  • 1Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray 8 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray.

    2Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced apples and cook, tossing occasionally, until the start to soften; about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, cinnamon, and the salt. Cook 5 more minutes, or until tender. Stir in lemon juice.

  • Make Topping
  • 1Add the flour, brown sugar, and walnuts to a medium bowl. Cut the butter into small cubes and then add them to the bowl. Using your fingers or a fork work the butter into the flour and sugar until crumbly.

  • To Finish
  • 1Separate cinnamon roll dough into 8 rolls. Flatten each into 4-inch round then place into each muffin cup. Divide the apple filling evenly onto rolls in muffin cups then top with the crumble topping.Apple-Pie-Cupcakes-Step-2

    2Bake the cupcakes 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly and tops are light brown. Cool in the pan 5 minutes then transfer to a cooking rack. Serve the cupcakes topped with whipped cream, with ice cream, or topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste

AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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83 comments… Leave a Review
  • Helen Taylor October 5, 2020, 10:23 am

    I love to cook and love new recipes

    Reply
  • Tracey June 15, 2019, 10:38 pm

    These are insanely easy and fast to make. More importantly, they were a huge hit. Everyone wanted seconds. I just won Father’s Day. Thank you!

    Reply
  • Jane April 7, 2019, 9:59 am

    I’m getting ready to make these for Sunday dinner. Wish me luck

    Reply
  • Karen July 30, 2017, 5:52 pm

    Have you tried freezing these? If so, was it after you baked them?
    If freezing isn’t recommended, how long do they stay fresh after baking? I love cooking ahead of time.

    Reply
    • Rae November 24, 2021, 4:43 pm

      I have made these several times and they were a hit. I used them the same day but both times had leftovers which tasted great the next day….

      Reply
  • Rosemary Davison July 11, 2017, 9:27 pm

    Wonderful recipes!

    Reply
  • CakenGifts.in May 13, 2017, 7:14 am

    I love this desert!!! this was hit for my birthday, I made it by own, I like your way of writing, you are too good.

    Reply
  • Pam Maslanka December 30, 2016, 11:57 am

    I will be making this. I do love apples!

    Please put my subscription in to receive Inspired Taste’s Free Weekly Newsletter, etc.,

    Thx so much!

    Reply
  • Michele March 29, 2016, 12:46 pm

    I am allergic to lemon. Can I leave it out?

    Reply
    • Adam March 29, 2016, 2:08 pm

      You can leave our the lemon.

      Reply
  • kathy November 1, 2015, 7:13 am

    These look so good going to give them a try. The video
    didn’t show. it was green.

    Reply
  • Autumn October 28, 2015, 10:25 pm

    We made these but instead of using the whipped cream and caramel sauce (because we didn’t have it on hand), we served them warm with vanilla ice cream. We will be making these again!

    Reply
  • Alex October 21, 2015, 3:27 pm

    My MIL made these a few nights ago, they were amazing, absolutely scrumptious. I can’t wait to make them for hubby, as they instantly became a favourite!

    Reply
  • Kelly October 11, 2015, 8:04 pm

    Use the icing from the cinnamon rolls on them instead of spending extra money on caramel and whip cream, trust me it is amazing. People beg for these! One batch is not enough.

    Reply
  • L Sproull October 9, 2015, 11:26 pm

    These look wonderful. I will make them soon!

    Reply
  • Tami G October 9, 2015, 10:10 am

    Has anyone tried another fruit, such as peaches, in these?

    Reply
    • Jen September 27, 2020, 4:44 pm

      Am thinking of trying these with peaches and half with pie crust just to see what textural and flavor differences though I love the creativity and ease of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough! I can see filling the dough into mini “doughnut holes” and frying then dipping in cinnamon sugar like churro bites or baking after brushing with melted butter and rolling in cin/sugar then another roll right after baking…

      Reply

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