Caramel Apple Pie Crescents Recipe

Apple picking season is one of the best seasons of the year! Every year we go pick a bunch of apples at our local apple orchard, and we love finding creative ways to use them all! Creating and discovering new delicious apple desserts is seriously one of my favorite things about this time of year!

It’s so hard to decide between caramel apples and apple pie for top apple pick- but you don’t have to with these delicious Caramel Apple Pie crescent rolls! They have all the sweet flavors of apple pie, topped with delicious caramel, and with the convenience of being made with store-bought crescent rolls for a delicious dessert you can make in minutes with just a few simple ingredients!

This easy recipe is made in just a few minutes and stars some of the best flavors of fall. You can easily make this recipe your own by making a fun addition or change- many are suggested below but feel free to experiment until you find the perfect caramel apple crescent roll recipe for you!

Can I use homemade apple pie filling for this recipe?

Yes! I use apple pie filling from the grocery store to make this a simple treat that I can make at a moment’s notice, but if you have dietary restrictions or just prefer the taste of homemade apple pie filling you can definitely use your own. If you don’t already have a good recipe for a homemade apple pie filling, here is one that is both gluten-free and dairy-free:

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple slices from peeled, cored, and sliced fresh apples (such as Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, or a mix of varieties)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup apple juice or water

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine the dry ingredients.
2. Add the sliced apples to the saucepan and mix them well with the sugar-spice mixture until the apples are evenly coated.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and add the apple juice (or water). Stir gently to combine.
4. Cook the apple mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid starts to thicken and the apples become tender. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes. The filling should be glossy and not too runny.
5. Once the apples are tender and the filling has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.
6. Stir in the pure vanilla extract and lemon juice. The lemon juice will add a bright, tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the apples.
7. Allow the apple pie filling to cool completely before using it in the Caramel Apple Pie Crescent Rolls recipe. You can store any leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

What are some variations I can try with this recipe?

If you want to add your own extra something to this recipe, there are lots of things you can do!

• Add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts or almonds over the apple pie filling before rolling up the dough
• Use spices like ground cloves, allspice, or ginger to bring in even more of the tastes of fall
• Add cheddar cheese for a sweet and savory combination any cheese fan will adore
• Add dried cranberries to the apple pie filling
• Top the rolls with a streusel topping before baking
• Add a maple glaze
• Add lemon zest to the apple filling
• ​Get creative with your favorite fillings!
• Create mini crescent rolls by using smaller pieces of dough for a bite-sized version!

Can I add other toppings or glazes to the crescent rolls? What would go well with these flavors?

I think the caramel drizzle is a great option on these since it brings home that caramel apple flavor, but you can substitute that or add on to it if you’d like! Here are some great options:

• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon sugar
• Streusel topping
• Drizzled melted chocolate
• Peanut butter drizzle
• Maple Caramel glaze
• Lemon glaze
• Toasted Coconut Flakes

What type of caramel sauce is best for drizzling? Where can I buy caramel sauce?

Many grocery stores carry a few varieties of caramel sauce- your best bet is to look near the ice cream toppings or in the baking goods aisle. These varieties are specifically designed to be drizzled over ice cream, so they’ll be equally as great at being drizzled over crescent rolls!

If you can’t find any at your store or you want to make your own, you can make a homemade caramel sauce, too!

Homemade Caramel Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup full-fat milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula.
2. As the sugar melts, it will turn into a golden-brown liquid. Continue stirring until all the sugar has melted and the mixture becomes smooth.
3. Carefully add the butter to the caramelized sugar and stir until the butter is fully melted and incorporated.
4. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring continuously. Be cautious, as the mixture may bubble up.
5. Simmer the sauce on low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor balance.
7. Allow the caramel sauce to cool before using it for drizzling.

Can I make mini crescent rolls? How should I adjust the baking time?

​If you’re feeding lots of people or want more toddler-friendly portions, try these in mini size! Just cut each crescent roll triangle into 2 smaller triangles to get double the amount of rolls. You’ll want to check the rolls sooner and more often since they’ll bake faster, but on average they’ll take about 8-10 minutes to bake. You’ll know they’re done when they are golden brown! {Keep the oven temp the same as the original recipe!}

What occasions are best for serving apple pie crescents?

I’m of the belief that life itself is a reason to celebrate- therefore you don’t really NEED a reason to make this easy dessert recipe for a quick treat! But if you’re looking for an excuse to whip these up, they’re great for any fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, holiday celebrations, family dinners, potlucks, brunch, and more.

Are these are gluten-free alternatives for the crescent roll dough? Does any brand make a premade gluten-free crescent roll dough?

Yes! If you are gluten-free you can still make these just as easily. Pillsbury, Immaculate Baking Co., Annie’s and Schar all make a gluten-free version of crescent rolls, all premade and ready to go.

How do I store leftover apple crescent rolls? How long will they last?

If it’ll be more than 24 hours before you eat your crescent rolls, you’ll want to stick them in the fridge.

To do that, allow the apple crescent rolls to cool completely at room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap. Then store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat them, you can either pop them in the microwave or heat them in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Plan on eating them within the next day? You can store them at room temperature! I’d recommend keeping them in a covered container or under a cake dome to keep them safe from contaminants but aside from that, no extra steps need to be taken.

Hot tip: I’d suggest waiting until serving time to drizzle with caramel sauce so the sauce does not make your rolls soggy!

Can I freeze apple crescent rolls?

Yes! If it’ll be more than a few days before you eat them, store them in the freezer.

To do so, just let them cool to room temperature, then store individually in plastic wrap to keep them from sticking together. Place in an airtight container or freezer bag, and make sure to squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn. Make sure you label the container with the date of freezing so you remember to eat them on time- they’ll last about 2-3 months in the freezer.

To eat frozen apple crescents, you can either heat them in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes or microwave them in 30 second intervals on low power until they’re heated through!

What Supplies Do You Need to Make These Apple Crescent Rolls?

To make these Caramel Apple Crescent Rolls, you’ll need:

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• Cutting board
• Baking Sheet

Step by Step Guide

Ready to bake? Grab the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and come back here to get started!

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll the crescent dough and separate the triangles.

Place apple pie filling on the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Roll up the crescent roll and place it on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the crescent rolls are golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the crescents to cool. Loosen the crescent rolls from the pan and drizzle caramel sauce on top before serving.

Hungry for More?

Want more delicious crescent roll recipes? Try these:

• Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls
• Taco Crescent Rolls
• S’mores Crescent Rolls
• Easter Bunny Crescent Rolls
• Brown Sugar Cinnamon Apple Crescent Rolls