Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! As the crisp air of autumn rolls in and the scent of cinnamon fills the air, my cravings instantly turn to warm, comforting, and wonderfully spiced desserts. And today, I’m bringing you a recipe that perfectly captures that cozy feeling in a fun, bite-sized package: Delicious Apple Pie Bombs. Imagine tender apple chunks, warmly spiced and wrapped in a golden, flaky crust, then baked to perfection and often drizzled with a sweet glaze. It’s pure apple pie bliss, made incredibly easy!
Why I Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about a dessert that delivers all the comforting flavors of apple pie but in a convenient, pop-in-your-mouth format? I am absolutely smitten with Apple Pie Bombs because they take the familiar, beloved taste of apple pie and make it accessible and incredibly fun. They offer those sweet, spiced apple chunks, encased in a tender, flaky crust, all baked into a perfect little “bomb.” They’re fantastic for a special breakfast, a festive brunch, a quick dessert, or any time you want to enjoy a taste of fall without the fuss of a whole pie. Plus, using refrigerated dough makes this recipe super approachable, even for beginner bakers. The aroma filling your kitchen as they bake is simply divine, promising deliciousness to come!
The Bite-Sized Revolution in Baking
The concept of “pie bombs” or “dessert bombs” is a delightful culinary innovation that responds to a desire for single-serving, easy-to-eat versions of classic desserts. While traditional pies can be time-consuming to make and serve, these bite-sized variations offer all the beloved flavors and textures in a more convenient and often less messy format.
Apple pie, a quintessential American dessert, lends itself perfectly to this “bomb” treatment. By wrapping spiced apple filling in a simple refrigerated dough (like crescent roll or biscuit dough) and then baking, it creates a comforting, warm, and handheld treat. This recipe leverages that simplicity, delivering a warm, gooey center and a golden exterior that captures all the essence of a classic apple pie. It’s a testament to creative home cooking, transforming familiar ingredients into new, incredibly satisfying, and easy-to-prepare treats perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these wonderfully easy and delicious Apple Pie Bombs:
- 1 (8 count) can refrigerated crescent roll dough (or seamless dough sheet)
- 1 medium apple (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1.5 cups diced)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the Coating (Optional, but recommended):
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Swaps and Notes
- Dough: Refrigerated crescent roll dough is fantastic for its flakiness and ease. If using the perforated crescent roll dough, you’ll need to pinch the seams together well. A seamless dough sheet (often found near crescent rolls) would make assembly even quicker. You could also use refrigerated biscuit dough, flattened.
- Apple: Use a crisp, firm apple. Granny Smith adds a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. Fuji or Honeycrisp offer a sweeter, firmer bite. Dice them finely (about 1/4 inch) so they cook quickly inside the bomb.
- Spices: The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg creates that classic apple pie flavor. Adjust the amounts to your personal preference for warmth. A tiny pinch of allspice or ground cloves could also be added.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control the saltiness. Melt it completely for dipping the bombs.
- Coating: The cinnamon-sugar coating after baking adds an extra layer of sweetness and a delightful texture.
- Glaze: The glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful finish. Adjust the milk gradually to achieve your desired consistency – a thinner drizzle or a thicker spread.
Steps for the Recipe
Let’s get these sweet and cozy Apple Pie Bombs baking!
- Prepare Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a small bowl, combine the finely diced apple, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir well to combine.
- Prepare Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough onto your prepared baking sheet. If using perforated crescent roll dough, gently pinch together the seams to form 4 rectangles (two triangles per rectangle).
- Fill Dough: Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the apple filling in the center of each dough rectangle.
- Form Bombs: Carefully pull the corners and edges of the dough up around the apple filling, pinching the seams tightly at the top to seal completely and form a ball. Ensure no apple mixture is exposed.
- Butter & Coat (Optional, but Recommended): In a small bowl, melt the 1/4 cup unsalted butter. In another small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for coating.
- Dip each apple pie bomb entirely into the melted butter, ensuring all sides are coated.
- Then, roll each buttered bomb thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, pressing gently to make sure the sugar sticks.
- Bake: Arrange the coated apple pie bombs on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Cool & Glaze (Optional): Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. While cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or half-and-half), and vanilla extract for the glaze until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm apple pie bombs.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Finely Dice Apples: Small apple pieces will cook through more quickly and evenly inside the bomb.
- Seal Dough Tightly: This is crucial to prevent the apple filling from leaking out during baking. Take your time to pinch all seams firmly.
- Don’t Overfill: A modest amount of filling (1-2 tablespoons) ensures the dough can seal properly.
- Coat in Butter and Sugar (if doing): This step gives the bombs a beautiful golden color and a delicious, sweet, crisp exterior.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until golden brown. Overbaking can make the dough dry.
- Serve Warm: These are truly at their best when served warm, with a gooey, spiced apple center.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Delicious Apple Pie Bombs are a wonderful treat any time of day:
- Breakfast/Brunch: A fantastic centerpiece for a special weekend breakfast or brunch.
- Dessert: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Coffee Break: Perfect with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or a spiced latte.
- Fall Gatherings: A comforting and festive addition to any autumn-themed party or holiday meal.
- Other Fall Treats: Pair them with other fall favorites, like my Caramel Apple Pie Cookies or Pumpkin Delight Dessert.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Apple Pie Bombs are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored:
- Room Temperature: Store cooled leftover bombs (without glaze) tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil at room temperature for 1-2 days. The dough may soften slightly.
- Refrigerate: If glazed, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Bring to room temperature or warm gently before serving.
- Reheat: To reheat, gently warm individual bombs in a microwave for 15-30 seconds, or in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
- Freezing: While best fresh, you can freeze baked and cooled Apple Pie Bombs (without glaze). Wrap individually in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature, then reheat as desired and glaze before serving.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed this sweet and comforting twist on a classic, you might also like these other delightful baked goods and desserts:
- For another fantastic way to use up ripe bananas and make a comforting quick bread, check out my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
- If you love rich, indulgent chocolate, you have to try Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs.
- For the ultimate classic brownie, my recipe for The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made is a definite winner.
- And for comforting spiced treats perfect for fall mornings, check out Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins.
Final Thoughts
Delicious Apple Pie Bombs are a truly delightful way to enjoy the comforting flavors of fall and warm spices without all the effort of a traditional pie. They’re easy, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Get ready to bake up some serious comfort!
I hope you give this amazing recipe a try and enjoy every sweet, spiced bite! Let me know in the comments below if this becomes a new favorite in your household, or what your go-to easy fall desserts are. I always love hearing from you! Happy baking!
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