Apple Cinnamon Croissants are one of my absolute favorite treats to bake, especially when the leaves start to turn and there’s a crispness in the air.
It’s the perfect recipe for a cozy weekend breakfast, a delightful addition to a brunch spread, or even a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.
What makes these pastries so special? It’s the magical combination of flaky, buttery croissant dough, a sweet and tart apple filling, and a warm cinnamon spice blend that just fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma.
Recipe Overview: Apple Cinnamon Croissant
These little pastries are essentially individual pockets of apple pie goodness, wrapped in a light, airy croissant. Think of them as a delicious upgrade to your average apple turnover.
The warm filling, combined with the crisp exterior, creates a delightful contrast in textures.
They’re also incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them warm from the oven, at room temperature, or even reheated the next day (if they last that long!).
They are the perfect breakfast or dessert, they’re a great portable snack, and also look beautiful on a dessert table.
Detailed Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Croissant
Here’s what you’ll need to gather for making these apple filled pastries:
- Refrigerated Croissant Dough: 1 package (usually around 8 ounces). I prefer to use the seamless kind because they work the best.
- Apples: 2 medium-sized. I like using Honeycrisp or Gala apples, but you could also use Granny Smith for a tarter flavor. Make sure to peel, core, and dice them into small pieces.
- Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup, packed. This adds sweetness and a lovely caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon. Ground cinnamon is key for that warm, cozy spice.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted. This helps the filling cook and adds richness.
- Lemon Juice: 1 teaspoon. Just a touch brightens up the apple flavor and prevents browning.
- Powdered Sugar: 1/2 cup. Great ingredient for making the glaze.
- Milk/Water: 2-3 teaspoons. To thin out the glaze.
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar, but the brown sugar adds a deeper flavor. If you’re out of cinnamon, you could try a mix of nutmeg and allspice for a similar warm spice profile.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Apple Cinnamon Croissants
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to bring these delicious pastries to life:
- Preheat & Prep: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Make the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and lemon juice. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly coated.
- Prepare the Croissant Dough: Gently unroll the croissant dough onto a lightly floured surface. Separate it into the pre-cut triangles.
- Fill the Croissants: Spoon a small amount of the apple filling (about 1-2 tablespoons) onto the wider end of each triangle. Don’t overfill, or they’ll be difficult to roll up.
- Roll ‘Em Up: Starting at the wide end, carefully roll up each croissant towards the pointed tip. Place the rolled croissants onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure the tip is tucked underneath to prevent unrolling.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Keep a close eye on them – oven temperatures can vary.
- Cool & Glaze: Remove the croissants from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. While they cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or water) to create a simple glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled croissants.
Variations & Tips for Apple Croissants
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to the filling for a more complex flavor.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the croissants ahead of time, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them overnight. Bake them fresh in the morning!
- Storage: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, or until warmed through. They can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve them warm, on their own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special treat. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a nice touch.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12-15 minutes
- Total time: 27-30 minutes
- Servings: 8 croissants
- Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, parchment paper, medium bowl, small bowl.
Apple Cinnamon Croissant
Ingredients
- 1 package 8 ounces refrigerated croissant dough
- 2 medium apples Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk or water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and lemon juice. Stir until apples are coated.
- Gently unroll croissant dough onto a lightly floured surface and separate into triangles.
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of apple filling onto the wider end of each triangle.
- Roll up each croissant from the wide end to the tip and place on the prepared baking sheet, tip tucked underneath.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and filling is bubbly.
- Let croissants cool slightly. Whisk powdered sugar and milk/water to make a glaze. Drizzle glaze over cooled croissants.