Easy Apple Pie Crescents: A Delicious Fall Treat

Apple pie is a classic dessert, but sometimes you want something a little quicker and easier. That’s where apple pie crescents come in! These little pockets of apple goodness are made with crescent roll dough, a simple apple filling, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. They’re perfect for a quick dessert, a potluck, or even a special breakfast treat. Plus, they’re so easy to make that even beginner bakers can whip them up in no time.

This recipe provides detailed, step-by-step instructions to ensure your apple pie crescents turn out perfectly every time. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right apples to getting that golden-brown, flaky crust. Get ready to enjoy a warm, comforting dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Quick and Easy:** Ready in under 30 minutes, these crescents are perfect for when you’re short on time.
* **Simple Ingredients:** You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
* **Kid-Friendly:** A fun and delicious dessert that kids will love to help make.
* **Versatile:** Customize the filling with your favorite spices or add-ins.
* **Portable:** Great for potlucks, picnics, or lunchboxes.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Crescent Roll Dough:** 1 (8 ounce) can of crescent roll dough (refrigerated)
* **Apples:** 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* **Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* **Nutmeg:** 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
* **Lemon Juice:** 1 teaspoon lemon juice (helps prevent browning)
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 teaspoon (helps thicken the filling)
* **Granulated Sugar:** 2 tablespoons
* **Melted Butter:** 1 tablespoon (for brushing)

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Skillet:** For cooking the apple filling.
* **Cutting Board and Knife:** For preparing the apples.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurement.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For combining the cinnamon sugar.
* **Baking Sheet:** For baking the crescents.
* **Parchment Paper:** To line the baking sheet and prevent sticking (optional, but recommended).
* **Pastry Brush:** For brushing the crescents with melted butter.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to make perfect apple pie crescents every time:

### 1. Prepare the Apple Filling

* **Melt Butter:** In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter.
* **Add Apples:** Add the diced apples to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
* **Add Sugar and Spices:** Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the sugar has dissolved and created a light sauce. The lemon juice brightens the flavor and prevents the apples from browning too quickly.
* **Thicken the Filling:** Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the apple mixture and stir to combine. This will help thicken the filling and prevent it from being too runny inside the crescents. Cook for another minute or two, until the sauce has thickened slightly. This step is crucial for preventing soggy crescents.
* **Remove from Heat:** Remove the skillet from the heat and let the apple filling cool slightly while you prepare the crescent roll dough. This prevents the dough from melting when you fill it.

### 2. Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough

* **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Parchment paper is recommended for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
* **Unroll Dough:** Unroll the crescent roll dough on a clean surface. If the dough is too warm and sticky, you can chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before unrolling. Separate the dough into 8 triangles. Most cans of crescent roll dough are perforated, making it easy to separate the triangles.

### 3. Assemble the Crescents

* **Fill the Triangles:** Place a spoonful (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the cooled apple filling onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Be careful not to overfill them, as the filling might spill out during baking. Leaving a little space at the edges helps to seal the crescents properly.
* **Roll Up:** Starting at the wide end, roll up each triangle towards the point. Gently stretch the dough as you roll to create a nice, even shape. Pinch the edges of the dough to seal the filling inside. This will prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
* **Shape into Crescents:** Gently curve each rolled triangle into a crescent shape and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Space the crescents evenly apart to allow for proper air circulation during baking.

### 4. Bake the Crescents

* **Brush with Butter:** In a small bowl, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Brush the tops of the crescents with the melted butter. This will help them to brown evenly and give them a nice, golden color. Melted butter also adds a richer flavor to the crust.
* **Combine Sugar and Cinnamon:** In a separate small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered crescents. This creates a sweet and crunchy topping.
* **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. The baking time may vary depending on your oven.

### 5. Cool and Serve

* **Cool Slightly:** Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the crescents cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking to the baking sheet.
* **Serve:** Serve the apple pie crescents warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, or you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Apple Varieties:** Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite flavor. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, and Fuji apples all work well in this recipe. A combination of sweet and tart apples can also be delicious.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of ground ginger, cloves, or allspice to the apple filling for a warmer, more complex flavor.
* **Add Nuts:** Stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the apple filling for added texture and flavor.
* **Caramel Drizzle:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the baked crescents for an extra touch of sweetness.
* **Cream Cheese Filling:** For a richer filling, mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Spread this mixture over the crescent roll dough before adding the apple filling.
* **Make Mini Crescents:** Cut each crescent roll triangle in half before filling for smaller, bite-sized crescents.
* **Glaze:** Whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled crescents for a sweeter treat.
* **Use Puff Pastry:** For a flakier crust, substitute puff pastry for crescent roll dough. Be sure to cut the puff pastry into triangles before filling.
* **Air Fryer Option:** These can also be made in the air fryer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Dessert:** Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
* **Breakfast:** Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea for a special breakfast treat.
* **Snack:** Perfect for an afternoon snack or a light dessert.
* **Potluck:** A crowd-pleasing dessert to bring to potlucks or parties.
* **Lunchbox:** Pack in lunchboxes for a sweet and satisfying treat.

## Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store leftover apple pie crescents in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
* **Freezer:** To freeze, wrap the cooled crescents individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

## Recipe Card

**Yields:** 8 crescents
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (8 ounce) can of crescent roll dough (refrigerated)
* 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon melted butter

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare Filling:** Melt butter in a skillet. Add apples, cook 5-7 minutes. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), lemon juice, cook 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle in flour, cook 1-2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat.
2. **Prepare Dough:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll crescent dough, separate into 8 triangles.
3. **Assemble:** Place a spoonful of filling on wide end of each triangle. Roll up, pinch edges to seal. Shape into crescents.
4. **Bake:** Place on baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over crescents. Bake 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
5. **Cool & Serve:** Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 200-250 per crescent (depending on ingredients and serving size)
* Fat: 10-15g
* Saturated Fat: 5-8g
* Cholesterol: 20-30mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 25-35g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 2-3g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

## Final Thoughts

These apple pie crescents are a delightful and easy way to enjoy the flavors of fall. They’re perfect for any occasion, from a quick weeknight dessert to a festive holiday gathering. With their flaky crust and warm, spiced apple filling, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible treats! Enjoy!