Cherry Pie Rolls with Pie Crumb Topping: A Classic Dessert Reimagined for Modern Comfort

There’s something undeniably timeless about the flavor of cherry pie — the glossy crimson filling, the buttery pastry crust, the perfect balance of tart and sweet that seems to capture the essence of home. But what if you could take that same comforting flavor and wrap it in a new form, one that’s equally satisfying yet easier to share, serve, and savor? Enter Cherry Pie Rolls with Pie Crumb Topping: a creative twist on the traditional pie that merges the indulgence of a dessert pastry with the soul of a classic pie.

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These rolls are everything you love about cherry pie — sweet, sticky fruit filling, golden buttery crust, and that nostalgic aroma of baked fruit and sugar — transformed into soft, spiraled pastries with a crisp, crumbly topping that mimics the best part of any pie: the crust. Each roll captures the comfort of homemade baking, from the first flaky bite to the last drip of warm cherry syrup.

The magic of this recipe lies in its balance of textures and flavors. Imagine tender, yeasted dough rolled with rich cherry filling, baked until golden, and finished with a buttery crumb topping that melts into the rolls as they bake. The result is a dessert that’s comforting yet refined — sweet enough to serve at a special occasion, but simple enough for a cozy Sunday brunch. Unlike a traditional pie, there’s no delicate crust to roll out or crimp, and no waiting hours for the filling to cool. These rolls bring all the satisfaction of pie with the ease and shareability of a cinnamon roll.

But beyond flavor, Cherry Pie Rolls with Pie Crumb Topping are about the feeling they evoke. Baking them fills your kitchen with the kind of aroma that makes people linger — warm butter, toasted sugar, and cherries bubbling into a thick ruby filling. It’s a scent that calls everyone to the kitchen, promising something indulgent and homemade. This is the kind of dessert that feels like an occasion in itself, a centerpiece of comfort food that invites you to slow down and savor.

There’s also a beautiful versatility to this recipe. It can be made entirely from scratch, with homemade dough and cherry filling, or simplified with a few shortcuts, such as canned pie filling or pre-made roll dough, without sacrificing flavor. The crumb topping — a mix of butter, flour, sugar, and a hint of vanilla — is the secret to transforming these rolls from ordinary pastries into something unforgettable. As it bakes, the crumb layer turns golden and slightly crisp, offering a contrast to the soft interior that’s reminiscent of both a pie crust and a streusel-topped coffee cake.

What makes this recipe especially rewarding is its adaptability. You can swap cherries for blueberries or apples, drizzle the baked rolls with a simple vanilla glaze, or even serve them à la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They can be enjoyed warm from the oven, at room temperature, or even chilled — each way revealing a different dimension of flavor and texture.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore every detail of creating the perfect Cherry Pie Rolls with Pie Crumb Topping: from crafting a soft, enriched dough and preparing the cherry filling, to building the crumb topping that gives the rolls their signature finish. You’ll also learn tips for shaping, proofing, baking, and glazing — ensuring bakery-level results right in your own kitchen.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or someone who simply loves the idea of warm, fruit-filled pastries, this recipe promises to become a new favorite. It combines the comfort of tradition with the excitement of something new, proving once again that the best desserts are the ones that feel both nostalgic and fresh.

Ingredients

This recipe makes approximately 12–15 rolls, depending on size. It can be scaled up or down to suit your needs.

For the Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

• ¾ cup whole milk, warmed (110°F / 43°C)

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg

For the Cherry Filling

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, enhances cherry flavor)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon water

For the Pie Crumb Topping

• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

For Finishing (Optional)

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 teaspoons milk or cream

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Dough

1. Activate the Yeast
   In a small bowl, combine the warm milk with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and stir gently. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until it becomes foamy and fragrant. This indicates the yeast is active.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center for the wet ingredients.

3. Combine Wet and Dry
   Add the melted butter and egg to the activated yeast mixture, then pour it into the flour well. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.

4. Knead the Dough
   Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5–6 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Avoid adding too much extra flour; a slightly sticky dough yields a softer roll.

5. First Rise (Proofing)
   Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1–1.5 hours, until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling

1. Combine Ingredients
   In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).

2. Cook the Filling
   Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices, about 5–7 minutes. The filling should be glossy and slightly thickened, similar to pie filling consistency. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Make the Pie Crumb Topping

1. Combine Dry Ingredients
   In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

2. Cut in Butter
   Add cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Chill (Optional)
   Place the crumb mixture in the refrigerator while rolling out the dough, to keep the butter firm. This will help create a crisp, crunchy topping during baking.

Step 4: Roll and Assemble the Rolls

1. Roll Out the Dough
   After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release air. On a lightly floured surface, roll it into a rectangle approximately 12×18 inches and about ¼ inch thick.

2. Spread the Cherry Filling
   Evenly spread the cooled cherry filling over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along the edges.

3. Sprinkle Crumb Topping
   Scatter about half of the crumb topping evenly over the cherry filling. Reserve the remaining crumbs for topping the rolls before baking.

4. Roll the Dough
   Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, pinching the seam to seal.

5. Cut into Rolls
   Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 12–15 equal rolls, about 1.5–2 inches thick each.

6. Arrange in Baking Dish
   Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or similar, leaving a small gap between rolls to allow for expansion. Sprinkle the remaining crumb topping over the rolls.

7. Second Rise
   Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for 30–40 minutes, until puffy.

Step 5: Bake the Rolls

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Bake
   Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the crumbs brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 5–10 minutes.

3. Cool Slightly
   Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool for 5–10 minutes before glazing.

Step 6: Optional Glaze

1. Prepare Glaze
   In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar if needed.

2. Drizzle Over Rolls
   Drizzle the glaze over warm rolls using a spoon or piping bag for a sweet, glossy finish.

Step 7: Serve

Serve the rolls warm, either as a dessert, brunch treat, or special breakfast. The combination of soft dough, sweet-tart cherry filling, and buttery crumb topping is irresistible.