The best way I can describe this dessert is that the world's best apple pie and the world's best cinnamon roll had a baby. The dough is a biscuit dough/ pie crust hybrid that is soft and flaky and fluffy. It's filled with a delicious apple filling reminiscent of apple pie, and baked in a sauce that turns into a caramel-y cinnamon-y syrup. They are not soggy, and are absolute perfection. This recipe has been in my family for a lot of decades and was a family favorite growing up. I tweaked a few things and modernized it a bit (butter instead of shortening) and it. is. fabulous. These are also relatively quick to make, since you don't have to wait for the dough to rise.
How to Make Apple Roll Ups
First, make the syrup. On low heat, combine the water, butter, sugar, and cinnamon into a small saucepan. Stir it a couple of times, then walk away.
While that heats up, start on the dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the cold cubed butter and cut it in. Cut it in using a cut-in tool, a fork, or your hands. Paul Hollywood uses his hands, and so do I! It's the easiest way for me to combine them. Using your fingers, simply press the flour mixture into the butter. It takes a few minutes no matter what tool you use. When you're done, it will be crumbly without any chunks of butter left. Add the milk and gently fold the milk into the dry mixture. Now go stir the syrup mixture. It should be done heating up now and should combine nicely. Turn the unit to the absolute lowest heat and let it sit while you finish the roll-ups.
Liberally sprinkle flour across a clean, flat work surface such as a table or counter. Plop the dough out onto the floured surface. Sprinkle flour across the top and gently roll out the dough into a rectangle, about ⅛" thick. Combine sugar and cinnamon into a small bowl. Peel and grate apples. I like to use the large size grater on this grater that we LOVE. Spread the grated apple over the rectangle, then sprinkle the cinnamon/ sugar mixture over the top.
Roll the dough up like you would a cinnamon roll. Cut into 1" sections and place in a 9X13 pan, so that they are evenly spaced. Stir the syrup one last time, then pour all of it across the apple roll-ups. Bake at 350*F for 35 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool at least 45 minutes before serving. Like apple pie, it pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
Tips & Tricks
Don't over mix the dough! It makes it stiff and tough and chewy. It's much better when it's soft, fluffy and flaky.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. My husband prefers them warm with vanilla ice cream, I prefer them cold and plain.
More Apple & Dessert Recipes:
Apple Dumpling Roll Ups
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
Apple Pie and Cinnamon Rolls had a perfect baby. These apple dumpling roll ups are so flavorful and delicious. They are soft and flaky and filled with a wonderful apple filling.
Ingredients
For the syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
For the dough:
- 2 cups + 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter (decrease salt to ½ teaspoon if using salted butter)
- ½ cup milk
Cinnamon Sugar Mix:
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Other:
- 2 cups grated apple- about 2 medium/large or 3 medium/small Granny smith have the best flavor for this, but any will do! The tarter the better.
Instructions
- Start with the syrup. On low heat, combine the water, butter, sugar, and cinnamon into a small saucepan. Stir it a couple of times, then walk away.
- While that heats up, start on the dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Add the cold cubed butter and cut it in. Cut it in using a cut-in tool, a fork, or your hands. Paul Hollywood uses his hands, and so do I! It's the easiest way for me to combine them. Using your fingers, simply press the flour mixture into the butter. It takes a few minutes no matter what tool you use. When you're done, it will be crumbly without any chunks of butter left.
- Add the milk and gently fold the milk into the dry mixture. Mix only until JUST combined. Do not over mix!
- Now go stir the syrup mixture. It should be done heating up now and should combine nicely.
- Turn the unit to the absolute lowest heat and let it sit while you finish the roll-ups.
- Preheat the oven to 350*F.
- Liberally sprinkle flour across a clean, flat work surface such as a table or counter.
- Plop the dough out onto the floured surface.
- Sprinkle flour across the top and gently roll out the dough into a rectangle, about ⅛" thick.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon into a small bowl.
- Peel and grate apples. I like to use a large size grater.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon/ sugar mixture over the top.
- Roll the dough up like you would a cinnamon roll.
- Cut into 1" sections and place in a 9X13 pan, so that they are evenly spaced.
- Stir the syrup one last time, then pour all of it across the apple roll-ups.
- Bake at 350*F for 35 minutes, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool at least 45 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy! Like apple pie, it pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream!
Notes
Do not over mix the dough! It will make them tough and chewy.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple dumplings, apple pie, apple turnovers, apple roll-ups, apple rollups, apple roll ups, apple cinnamon, apple dessert, apple pie swirls, apple pinwheels, homemade, apple crips, apple recipes, fall baking, fall recipes, fall dessert, vanilla ice cream, grated apple, grannysmith, honeycrisp, apple baking,
Brandy
Hey! This looks delicious! How many apples do you use?
Thanks
Jed
I loved every bite. Easy recipe to follow and soooo tasty!
★★★★★
JC
This was a fun recipe, everyone loved it. Great taste, great texture
★★★★★