If fall had a flavor, I’m pretty sure it would be Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs. These little bundles of warm, flaky pastry are stuffed with buttery cinnamon apples, a melting caramel center, and baked to golden perfection. When you bite in, the inside is soft, sweet, and gloriously gooey—think caramel apple pie meets a molten lava cake. In a word: irresistible.
Thank you so much for being here! Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend, a fall party, or just craving something warm and sweet, I’m thrilled to share this one with you. If you want more gooey, crowd-pleasing treats delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe below!
What Are Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs?
These delicious dessert bombs are made by wrapping cinnamon-spiced apple filling and soft caramel candies inside biscuit or crescent dough, then baking them until the dough is golden and the caramel inside melts into a sticky, dreamy center. Some recipes call them “apple pie bombs” or “caramel apple dumplings,” but no matter what you call them—they’re downright addictive.
And yes, they’re surprisingly easy to make with store-bought dough and just a few ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 6 ingredients
- Gooey caramel center + warm apple filling = perfection
- Uses store-bought dough for quick assembly
- Great for fall parties, holidays, or a cozy treat
- Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and ready in 30 minutes!
- Smells like a cinnamon apple orchard when baking
What Do They Taste Like?
Each bite is flaky and buttery on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, with warm spiced apples and melted caramel oozing through. It’s like a mini caramel apple pie, but even more decadent. Serve them warm and they’re melt-in-your-mouth good.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Game. Over.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Minimal prep, maximum flavor
- Easily doubled or tripled for a crowd
- Fun to make with kids or for a fall baking night
- You can make them ahead of time and reheat beautifully
- No special tools or techniques—foolproof baking win
Ingredients for Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs
Makes 8 bombs:
- 1 can (8-count) refrigerated biscuit dough or crescent roll dough
- 1 large apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 soft caramel candies (like Werther’s Soft Caramels or Kraft)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
- Optional: coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar for topping
Toppings (optional but delicious):
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Sea salt flakes (for a sweet-salty finish)
Tools You’ll Need
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or small scoop
- Pastry brush (for melted butter)
- Small saucepan (if making homemade caramel sauce)
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions
- Use pie filling: Sub diced apples with apple pie filling for a shortcut
- Try puff pastry instead of biscuit dough for extra flakiness
- Add chopped pecans for a nutty crunch
- Make them bigger: Use two dough rounds stacked together
- Vegan version: Use dairy-free dough, caramels, and butter substitutes
How to Make Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the apple filling
In a small bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to coat the apples in that sweet-spicy goodness.
Step 3: Flatten the dough
Separate your biscuit or crescent dough into 8 pieces. Flatten each piece into a 3–4 inch circle using your hands or a rolling pin.
Step 4: Assemble the bombs
Place about a tablespoon of apple mixture in the center of each dough circle. Top with one caramel candy.
Wrap the dough up and around the filling, pinching the edges to seal completely and forming a ball. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Brush and bake
Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar if desired.
Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Step 6: Serve warm
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with caramel sauce or serve with vanilla ice cream for that over-the-top finish!
What to Serve with Apple Caramel Bombs
These are amazing on their own, but even better with:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- Drizzle of warm salted caramel sauce
- Dusting of powdered sugar
- Chai tea or hot apple cider
- Fresh whipped cream or cinnamon whipped topping
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Bombs
- Use soft caramels, not hard ones—they melt perfectly inside
- Don’t overfill, or the dough might tear during baking
- Pinch the seams really well to prevent leaks
- Bake on parchment to catch any caramel that escapes
- Serve warm for the ultimate gooey center experience
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze baked and cooled bombs for up to 2 months
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use apple pie filling?
Yes! Just chop the apples smaller so they fit nicely inside the dough. Drain any excess liquid first.
What kind of apples work best?
Tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet-tart like Honeycrisp or Braeburn work beautifully.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake them the day before, store in the fridge, and reheat just before serving.
What’s the best dough to use?
Refrigerated biscuit dough gives the best structure, but crescent roll dough works too for a softer, more buttery finish.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a cozy fall dessert, a sweet treat for guests, or just an excuse to bake something with apples and caramel (as if you need one), these Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs deliver. They’re quick, comforting, and completely irresistible.
PrintGooey Apple Caramel Bombs
Warm, flaky pastry filled with buttery cinnamon apples and a melty caramel center—these Gooey Apple Caramel Bombs are like mini apple pies with a gooey twist. The perfect cozy fall dessert in every bite.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 bombs 1x
Ingredients
- 1 can (8-count) refrigerated biscuit dough or crescent roll dough
- 1 large apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 soft caramel candies (like Werther’s Soft Caramels or Kraft)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
- Optional: coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar for topping
- Toppings (optional): caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Make apple filling: In a bowl, combine diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to coat evenly.
- Flatten dough: Separate dough into 8 pieces. Flatten each into a 3–4 inch round using hands or a rolling pin.
- Assemble bombs: Place 1 tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each dough circle, top with one caramel candy. Wrap dough around filling and pinch edges to seal. Place seam-side down on baking sheet.
- Brush and bake: Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with optional coarse or cinnamon sugar. Bake for 14–16 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Serve warm: Let cool slightly. Drizzle with caramel sauce or top with ice cream for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Use soft caramels so they melt perfectly inside.
- Don’t overfill the dough to prevent leaking during baking.
- Seal the seams well and bake seam-side down.
- Bake on parchment to catch any melted caramel that may escape.
- Chop apples small for even baking and gooey consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bomb
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: caramel apple bombs, fall dessert, apple dumplings, gooey apple pastry, easy apple treat
