If you have a craving for something warm, comforting, and delightfully sweet, this Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe is guaranteed to hit all the right notes. Imagine tender apples wrapped in a buttery pastry, dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar, then baked until golden and topped with a luscious, spiced sauce. It’s like having the cozy flavors of an apple pie with the soft, roll-focused texture of a classic cinnamon roll, all rolled into one irresistible treat. Whether for a weekend brunch, a special dessert, or just a heartwarming snack, this Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe will soon become your go-to for sharing simple pleasures with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white rectangular dish holds eight pieces of rolled dough filled with chopped green and yellow apple pieces, all partially submerged in a dark brown syrupy liquid. The dough rolls are pale with a slightly browned outer layer, each filled unevenly with small apple chunks. The syrup pools around and between the rolls, creating a glossy surface with small bubbles scattered throughout. The dish rests on a white marbled textured surface, and the overall look is moist and richly sweet. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are straightforward but essential, each playing a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so special. From the flaky pastry dough to the sweet, spiced apples and rich sauce, everything harmonizes perfectly.

2 cups flour: The foundation of the pastry, it provides structure and a tender crumb.
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps the dough rise slightly, keeping it light.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
⅔ cup butter: Chilled butter adds flakiness and richness to the dough.
⅔ cup milk: Moistens the dough to the perfect consistency without making it heavy.
½ stick melted butter: Used to create a buttery layer that seals in flavor as you roll.
½ cup brown sugar: Adds warm sweetness perfectly complemented by cinnamon.
1 teaspoon cinnamon: Spices the filling with just the right amount of cozy warmth.
6 apples, chopped: The star of the recipe, providing sweetness and a touch of crispness.
2 cups brown sugar: For making the indulgent spiced sauce with a deep caramel flavor.
1 ½ cups water: Balances the sauce, helping the sugar dissolve and thicken beautifully.
¼ cup butter: Adds creaminess and richness to the sauce.
¼ teaspoon cinnamon: A subtle final hint of spice in the sauce.
¼ teaspoon nutmeg: Gives an extra depth of warm spice to the sauce.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Dough

Start by mixing the flour, baking powder, and salt in a food processor until combined. Adding cold butter and pulsing until the mixture looks like small peas creates that perfect flaky texture. Then add milk and pulse just until the dough forms a ball – careful not to overwork it. This dough will be the buttery base that holds all those delicious apple flavors together.

Step 2: Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. This gives you enough room to evenly spread your apple filling and roll it into neat, even logs. It’s important to keep the thickness just right so the rollups bake thoroughly yet stay soft and tender.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling

Peel and chop the apples into small, bite-size pieces so they soak up the cinnamon and sugar evenly. Then, melt butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar together until bubbly. Spread this warm, fragrant mixture over the rolled-out dough, and scatter the chopped apples evenly on top. This step ensures every bite bursts with sweet and spicy apple goodness.

Step 4: Roll and Slice

Carefully roll the dough into a log, gently pressing to keep it snug. Slice the roll-up into 1 ½ inch thick pieces – these are your individual servings waiting to go into the baking dish. Placing them close but not crowded in a greased dish lets the edges get golden and slightly crisp while the insides stay soft.

Step 5: Make the Spiced Sauce

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook this mixture on low heat for about 10 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This sauce will soak the rollups, giving you that extra layer of sweet, spiced moisture with every bite.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Pour the warm sauce over the apple slices in the baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, allowing the pastry to turn a lovely golden brown and the sauce to bubble and caramelize perfectly. The kitchen will smell amazing, hinting at the deliciousness about to unfold.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a piece of apple dessert on a white plate with a thin silver rim. The dessert is layered with golden brown baked apple slices mixed with a glossy, sticky sauce that looks caramelized. The texture is soft and sugary with some slightly crispy edges. In the background, there is a white baking dish with a vintage floral design, holding more of the same dessert, slightly out of focus. A fork holds a portion of the dessert above the plate, showing the moist and tender layers in detail. The surface underneath is white marble. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze can add a charming final touch. For those craving extra decadence, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream complements the warmth and spice beautifully, making it feel like a cozy indulgence.

Side Dishes

Serve your Apple Cinnamon Rollups alongside a cup of hot coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness. For brunch, pairing with crispy bacon or a light green salad brings savory contrast and rounds out your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving these rollups in individual ramekins for delightful personal portions, or arrange them beautifully on a warm platter garnished with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks. These little gestures make any gathering feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making the Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe even more delicious the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked rollups by wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as normal, so you’re always ready with a quick homemade treat.

Reheating

Warm leftover rollups in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Reheating this way keeps the pastry crisp on the outside while the interior stays tender and melty, reviving that fresh-baked feeling.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best because they hold their shape during baking and offer a nice balance of tartness and sweetness.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk for a dairy-free twist without sacrificing flavor.

Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?

Definitely! You can chop the apples and mix them with the butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar mixture up to a day in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and assemble the rollups when ready to bake.

How would I make this recipe vegan?

Swap out butter for vegan margarine and milk for a plant-based alternative, and make sure your sugar is vegan-friendly. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan, so it’s an easy adaptation.

Can these rollups be made gluten-free?

You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking. Keep an eye on the dough’s texture, as gluten-free doughs sometimes need a little extra liquid or binding agents.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Rollup Recipe is a delightful way to bring warmth and sweetness to any occasion. Its simplicity, paired with rich, comforting flavors, makes it such a joy to prepare and share. I encourage you to give it a try and experience those golden, tender rollups for yourself – your kitchen will smell like happiness, and your family and friends will definitely thank you!