Quick and Easy Caramel Apple Bombs: A Sweet Family Tradition
Fall is my favorite time of year for so many reasonsโcooler weather, pumpkin patches, and the incredible flavors of the season. Among the various apple dessert ideas, one I always return to when fall rolls around is Caramel Apple Bombs. These gooey, caramel-filled treats are quick and easy to make, but what makes them truly special is how they tie into my childhood memories of baking with my grandma. Now, I get to share those sweet moments with my daughter, Carolynn, continuing a family tradition that means so much to me. If you’ve been looking for apple cinnamon dessert ideas keep reading on!
Why Caramel Apple Bombs?
As a busy mom, I’m constantly looking for recipes that are both delicious and simple. Enter Caramel Apple Bombs. Theyโre the perfect treat when you want something warm and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. Made with crescent roll dough, apples, and caramel squares, these mini delights are ready in just 20 minutes, making them a great option for an impromptu dessert or even a fun after-school snack for the kids.
The best part? They taste just like fallโwarm apples, gooey caramel, and a hint of cinnamon sugar. Itโs like biting into a cozy sweater (if that were a thing!).
A Memory Lane Trip to Grandmaโs Kitchen
When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my grandma. Baking was her love language, and every time I stayed over at her house, weโd spend the afternoon baking everything from pies to cookies. But my absolute favorite was her apple dumplings. Weโd use apples from her backyard, freshly picked, and the smell of cinnamon and sugar would fill the entire house. I was usually in charge of sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the dough, a task I took very seriously (and, yes, Iโd sneak a bite or two of dough when she wasnโt looking!).
Now, Iโm recreating those moments with Carolynn. Itโs such a joy to see her excited to help in the kitchen, just like I was at her age. And while we donโt always have the time to make Grandmaโs apple dumplings from scratch, these Caramel Apple Bombs give us the same delicious flavors in a fraction of the time. Plus, itโs fun to roll up the dough and wrap the caramel insideโCarolynn loves getting her hands messy, and I love seeing the same joy in her eyes that I had with my grandma.
In total honesty, I was actually setting out to make my Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread but I opened to fridge to realize that I had croissants instead of cinnamon rolls… and so I pivoted and created this recipe!
Fall is the perfect time for warm, comforting treats, and these Caramel Apple Bombs are a delightful, easy dessert for the whole family. Using just a handful of ingredients, this recipe transforms simple apples into a gooey, caramel-filled bite of heaven thatโs ideal for busy moms or quick after-dinner snacks.
Ingredients:
- Crescent roll dough
- Caramel squares
- Fresh apples
- Butter & cinnamon
What Youโll Love About This Recipe
Hereโs why Caramel Apple Bombs will become a staple in your fall recipe rotation:
Perfect Fall Flavors: The combination of apples, caramel, and cinnamon is the essence of fall. Whether you’re serving them after a cozy family dinner or packing them as a snack for a day at the pumpkin patch, these apple cinnamon dessert ideas are sure to impress.
Quick and Easy: This dessert is the perfect easy apple dessert ideas for busy moms like me. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a warm, homemade dessert in under 30 minutes.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Baking is always more fun when you can involve your little ones. Carolynn loves helping wrap the dough around the apples and sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar on top.
Instructions
Ingredients Youโll Need:
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 can of crescent roll dough (8 pieces)
2โ3 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
1 bottle of caramel sauce
2 tablespoons of melted butter
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Prepping The Apples
First, you will want to cut up or dice up 6 apples into bite-sized or smaller pieces. I use a smaller corer/slicer and then I cut up the slices. For cutting up the slices, I have a chopper and I love it. It does make really small pieces of apples. If you want smaller pieces use the smaller chop or for larger you this larger grid. Also, I do not peel my apples because I like a little bit of crunch and don’t like to waste the time – but if you prefer to do so you can.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core your apples, then cut them into small chunks. The idea is to have pieces big enough to hold a good amount of caramel but small enough to be wrapped easily in the dough.
- Add Caramel to the Center: Place a caramel square in the middle of each apple chunk. This will be the gooey center of your caramel apple bomb.
- Wrap with Crescent Roll Dough: Take one triangle of crescent roll dough and wrap it around the apple and caramel. Make sure the dough completely covers the apple and is sealed tightly to prevent the caramel from oozing out during baking.
- Brush with Butter and Add Cinnamon-Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Brush each dough-wrapped apple with melted butter, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. This step gives the bombs that delicious sweet crust we all love.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and bake the caramel apple bombs for about 10โ12 minutes, or until theyโre golden brown and puffed up.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let them cool for a few minutes before serving, as the caramel inside will be hot. Theyโre best enjoyed warm when the caramel is still gooey and the dough is flaky!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe:
- Quick & Easy: You donโt need to spend hours in the kitchen with easy apple dessert ideas. From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute desserts.
- Kid-Friendly: Itโs a great recipe for kids to help withโlet them roll the dough and sneak a caramel or two!
- Fall Vibes: With apples, cinnamon, and caramel, itโs the quintessential fall treat. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a real autumnal dessert experience.
Variations:
- Homemade Caramel Sauce: For a more gourmet twist, make your own caramel sauce instead of using store-bought squares.
- Add a Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough wrap for a satisfying crunch.
Baking
Place in the oven at 350 degrees for roughly 20 minutes or until croissants are golden brown and fully cooked.
Serve garnished with caramel drizzle and cinnamon sprinkled on top!
Enjoy!
A New Family Tradition
While these Caramel Apple Bombs may be quick and easy, theyโve become a meaningful part of our familyโs fall tradition. Baking with Carolynn is something I cherish. I love that weโre creating memories in the kitchen just like I did with my grandma. Itโs moments like these that remind me how food can connect generationsโthrough recipes, through traditions, and through love.
Whenever I bake these with Carolynn, I canโt help but think back to my grandma Rosie and the joy she found in baking together. Even though sheโs no longer here, her love of baking lives on in every batch of Caramel Apple Bombs we make
Quick and Easy Caramel Apple Bombs
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
- 2 non-stick baking mats optional
- 1 food chopper optional
- 1 apple slicer optional
Ingredients
- 6 whole apples sliced and diced into bite size pieces
- 3 rolls croissant
- 1/2 stick butter
- 2 tbsp cinnamon roughly measured, additional to garnish
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 bottle caramel sauce to drizzle inside and on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- First, take the apples and dice them into bite-sized pieces. You can also peel them if you want to, but I don't. I use an apple slicer and then put them in my food chopper but you could also chop them by hand.
- Next, add the 1/2 stick butter, apples, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice to a pan and good apples until soft, usually around 5-7 minutes.
- Once apples are soft, flatten out a croissant, using a large serving spoon, scoop a few spoonfuls of apple mixture leaving room around the edge to seal the croissant.
- Using caramel sauce, drizzle caramel over the top of the apple mixture.
- Taking a second croissant, place over the apple mixture and seal the croissant all the way around. Once it is mostly sealed, take the two ends of the triangle and wrap them together to create more of a circle/bomb shape instead of a triangle, sealing the dough completely together.
- Repeat until you have used all of the mixture and croissant dough.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked and top with caramel drizzle and cinnamon
Notes
Nutrition
Tips for the Perfect Caramel Apple Bombs
- Use Tart Apples: Granny Smith apples are my go-to for this recipe because their tartness balances out the sweetness of the caramel and sugar. However, if you prefer a sweeter taste, try Honeycrisp or Gala apples.
- Homemade Caramel: If youโre feeling fancy, you can make your own caramel sauce to drizzle over the bombs once theyโre out of the oven. This adds an extra touch of richness, but the caramel squares work perfectly for a quick and easy version.
- Add a Crunch: For an added layer of texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the dough before baking. The nuts pair beautifully with the apples and caramel, giving the bombs a satisfying crunch.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve your Caramel Apple Bombs with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. The cold ice cream contrasts perfectly with the warm apple filling.
Why You Should Make Caramel Apple Bombs This Fall
If youโre looking for a dessert thatโs both quick and delicious, youโve found it. Caramel Apple Bombs are one of those easy apple dessert ideas. They are the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of fall without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether youโre baking with your kids, preparing a treat for guests, or just satisfying your own sweet tooth, these bombs hit the spot every time.
The best part? Theyโre endlessly customizable. You can switch up the types of apples, add different spices, or even experiment with homemade caramel. No matter how you make them, these easy apple dessert ideas sure to become a favorite in your household. Let me know what you think of these other caramel apple dessert ideas!
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