Introduction

Caramel Apple Pie Cups are a fun and easy twist on classic apple pie, perfect for individual servings. These handheld treats combine tender apple filling with caramel and flaky crescent dough for a cozy dessert everyone will love.

Three small apple tarts are placed on a white plate with a brown rim, sitting on a textured beige cloth over a white marbled surface. Each tart consists of a golden, flaky crust shaped like a cup, filled with soft, warm apple pieces coated in a shiny, brown caramel sauce that slightly drips down the sides. In the background, there is a white bowl with extra caramel sauce and half a red apple cut into pieces, slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 can crescent dough
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp brown sugar
Caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin lightly to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cook until the apples are tender and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Press each triangle into the muffin tin cups, forming a small crust.
Step 4: Spoon the warm apple mixture evenly into each crescent-lined cup.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Remove the pie cups from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before drizzling with caramel sauce.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness and a bit of tang.
For extra crunch, add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the apple filling.
Try drizzling with warm caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt for a salted caramel twist.

Storage

Store leftover caramel apple pie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to enjoy the gooey caramel and warm apples.

How to Serve

Three small apple tarts sit on a round white plate with a brown rim, placed on a beige cloth over a wooden table. Each tart has a golden-brown pastry shell forming one layer, filled with chunky, caramel-colored apple pieces covered in thick, glossy caramel sauce that drips down the sides and onto the plate. In the background, a dark plate holding halved and whole red apples rests on a wooden board, all set against a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made pie crust instead of crescent dough?

Yes, pre-made pie crust works well. Just cut it into squares large enough to line the muffin tin cups and adjust baking time if necessary.

How can I make homemade caramel sauce?

To make homemade caramel sauce, melt 1 cup sugar over medium heat until golden brown, then carefully stir in 6 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream, cooking until smooth. Let cool slightly before using.

Caramel Apple Pie Cups Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 69 reviews

These Caramel Apple Pie Cups are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert featuring diced apples spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar, wrapped in flaky crescent dough and baked to golden perfection. Topped generously with rich caramel sauce, these individual pie cups combine classic flavors in a convenient, handheld treat perfect for any occasion.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

1 can crescent dough

Apple Filling

2 medium apples, peeled and diced
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp brown sugar

Topping

Caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade, as needed

Instructions

Prepare the Filling: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot enough to bake the crescent dough cups evenly.
Prepare Crescent Dough Cups: Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Press each triangle into the cups of a muffin tin, shaping to cover the bottom and sides to form a cup.
Fill Cups: Spoon the cooled apple filling evenly into each crescent dough cup, filling almost to the top.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Add Caramel Sauce: Remove the pie cups from the oven and immediately drizzle caramel sauce over each one. Allow to cool slightly before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can use any variety of apples you prefer; Granny Smith works well for tartness, while Fuji or Honeycrisp add natural sweetness.
If you want to make your own caramel sauce, a simple mixture of butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla can be cooked together until thickened.
To prevent the edges of the crescent dough from over-browning, you can loosely tent the muffin tin with foil if needed.
These pie cups are best served warm but are also delicious at room temperature.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.

Keywords: caramel apple pie cups, apple dessert, crescent dough dessert, easy apple pie, individual pies, caramel sauce dessert