Sweet Apple Pie Cups Recipe: Tiny Treats with Big Flavor
Dessert lovers rejoice as these delightful apple pie cups bring a twist to the classic favorite.
Bursting with warm spices and tender apples, this apple pie cups recipe delivers comfort in every delectable bite.
Crisp pastry shells cradle a luscious filling that dances with cinnamon and sweet fruit essence.
Each miniature treat promises a perfect balance of flaky crust and rich, caramelized apple goodness.
The individual portions make sharing (or keeping all to yourself) incredibly tempting.
Bakers of all skill levels can master these charming cups with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Serve these irresistible morsels as a stunning finale to any meal and watch faces light up with pure dessert delight.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 200 kcal
Servings: 9
Apple Pie Cups: Ingredients You’ll Be Using
For Base and Crust:
Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls: Convenient shortcut for creating a sweet, spiced pastry foundation that adds instant flavor and texture to the dessert.
Apple Pie Filling: Provides rich, classic apple taste with pre-cooked fruit that saves preparation time and ensures consistent sweetness.
Key Points:
Choose name-brand cinnamon rolls for best structural integrity.
Select pie filling with minimal added sugar for more natural apple flavor.
Check expiration dates to ensure freshness of both packaged ingredients.
Look for pie filling with chunks of apples for better mouth feel.
Refrigerated rolls work best when slightly chilled but not frozen.
Opt for cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting for extra decadence.
Ensure apple pie filling is not too watery to prevent soggy cups.
Equipment Checklist for Apple Pie Cups
Muffin Pan: Essential for shaping and baking the apple pie cups perfectly.
Rolling Pin (optional): Helpful for smoothing out cinnamon roll dough if needed.
Measuring Tablespoon: Ensures consistent apple pie filling in each cup.
Oven Mitts: Protect hands when handling hot muffin pan.
Cooling Rack: Allows pie cups to cool evenly without getting soggy.
Drizzle Spoon or Small Spatula: Helps spread icing smoothly over warm pie cups.
Baking Apple Pie Cups at Home from Scratch
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth begins with setting the right temperature and creating a non-stick surface for our delightful treats.
Dough Placement Gently unfurl each cinnamon roll and lovingly press them into muffin cavities, creating little cradles of sweetness.
Fruity Filling Spoon generous dollops of luscious apple pie mixture into each tender dough pocket, ensuring every bite will be bursting with flavor.
Baking Magic Let the oven transform these humble ingredients into golden, bubbling delicacies that will make your kitchen smell absolutely heavenly.
Finishing Touches After rescuing your creations from the heat, allow them a brief moment to settle, then drizzle with a silky cascade of sweet icing.
Serving Happiness Invite friends and family to dive into these warm, gooey apple pie cups, best enjoyed with laughter and perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips to Make Apple Pie Cups Better
Transform these treats by using different fruit fillings like cherry, peach, or blueberry for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
Replace cinnamon roll dough with refrigerated pie crust or crescent roll dough for a homemade feel and crispy texture.
Sprinkle chopped nuts, caramel drizzle, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to elevate the dessert's richness and flavor profile.
Prepare the apple pie cups in advance, store in an airtight container, and reheat in the oven for 5 minutes before serving to maintain their gooey, warm goodness.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the apple filling for a warm, aromatic kick that'll make these mini desserts absolutely irresistible.
How to Serve Apple Pie Cups Beautifully
Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm Apple Pie Cups with a steaming mug of coffee or hot tea for a delightful morning treat that feels like a comforting hug.
Weekend Dessert Delight: Serve these mini pies as a sweet ending to your family dinner, garnished with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Brunch Party Favorite: Create a dessert platter with these Apple Pie Cups alongside other bite-sized pastries, perfect for entertaining friends and sharing delicious moments.
Afternoon Snack Sensation: Pack these portable treats in lunch boxes or enjoy them as a quick afternoon pick-me-up with a cold glass of milk or fresh apple cider.
How to Store Apple Pie Cups for Later
Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover apple pie cups in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch earlier in the day, then gently reheat in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their warm, crispy edges before serving.
Freezing Friendly Option: Wrap individual cooled apple pie cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for convenient storage up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm briefly before enjoying.
Room Temperature Tips: Allow baked apple pie cups to cool completely at kitchen temperature, ensuring they maintain structural integrity and prevent soggy bottoms when storing.
Homemade apple pie cups deliver classic dessert comfort in miniature portions. Small pastry shells cradle spiced apple filling, offering sweet portability for home bakers and dessert enthusiasts. You will savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 can (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls
21 oz (595 g) canned apple pie filling
Cooking spray or butter for greasing
Caramel sauce (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
Prep Station: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Dough Placement: Gently unfurl each cinnamon roll and delicately press into muffin cavities, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides with an even layer of dough.
Filling Distribution: Ladle apple pie filling into the center of each dough-lined cavity, spreading evenly and creating a uniform layer of sweet, spiced fruit.
Baking Process: Slide muffin tin into preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn golden brown and the filling becomes slightly effervescent.
Cooling and Finishing: Extract muffin tin from oven and let apple pie cups rest for 5 minutes, allowing them to stabilize and prevent potential burns during handling.
Final Flourish: Elegantly drizzle included icing over warm cups, creating a glossy and appetizing presentation that enhances the dessert’s overall appeal.
Serving Suggestion: Present immediately while warm, inviting guests to savor the harmonious blend of tender cinnamon roll crust and aromatic apple filling.
Notes
Ensure Even Coating: Spray muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of pie cups.
Press Dough Carefully: Gently stretch cinnamon roll dough to cover entire muffin cavity, creating a uniform base for filling.
Watch Baking Time: Monitor golden-brown color and bubbling filling closely to avoid overcooking or burning the delicate dessert.
Cool Before Serving: Let pie cups rest in pan for 5 minutes to stabilize structure and prevent potential burns from hot filling.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.