COLORFUL
This Cinnamon Roll Casserole is filled with apple pie filling topped with crunchy pecans and drizzled with sweet vanilla icing. It is a delightful cross between gooey cinnamon rolls and a traditional apple pie made in a casserole dish. This recipe will turn your regular canned cinnamon rolls into a easy family-sized casserole, perfect for cozy gatherings and holidays!
Easiest way to make a Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls – In a Casserole!
If you have been checking out my other recipes, it’s pretty obvious by now that I have a addiction for anything apple and cinnamon! Case in point are my Cinnamon Roll Muffins, Apple Cider Bundt Cake, and Caramel Apple Dump Cake recipes. The flavor combination is simply divine. Which is why I couldn’t resist making a batch of this cinnamon-infused, apple-loaded casserole treat!
In true “me” fashion, this recipe is made much easier by using readymade cinnamon rolls and a can of apple pie filling. This cuts down the prep time to 10 minutes only and does not require much effort! The oven does all the heavy lifting. Each serving is filled with fluffy, soft rolls swirled with warm spices, apple bits, crispy pecans, and vanilla frosting. Everyone will love these easy apple pie cinnamon rolls! Be warned, you will never want to make pre-made cinnamon rolls another way ever again!
Why you’ll Love this Recipe
- This delicious apple pie cinnamon rolls recipe is perfect for busy moms who need a delicious weekday treat made with simple ingredients and very little time and effort. All you need to do is layer the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake!
- Assemble everything in the casserole the night before and pop in the oven the following day for the perfect breakfast treat! Everyone will wake up to the amazing aroma of freshly baked apple cinnamon in the air.
- Since this is a casserole recipe, you can make enough for the whole family without slaving in the kitchen! Leftovers would make for an amazing dessert!
- You can use other fillings that you like to make variations of this apple cinnamon roll bake. Blueberry, cherry, strawberry, and peach are all great alternatives!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Refrigerated Can of Cinnamon Rolls: I prefer these smaller cinnamon rolls in a canister of 8
- Brown Sugar: Light or Dark
- Cinnamon
- Butter: Salted
- Apple Pie Filling: Chopped up and bit so you don’t have huge pieces of apple slices
- Lemon Juice
- Pecans: I prefer halved but you can use chopped or even whole, whatever you love!
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Casserole Dish
- Kitchen Scissors
- Paring knife
How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Begin By:
- Preheating the oven to 375 degrees.
- Spraying a 3 qt casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Steps:
STEP 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Layer. Cut each cinnamon roll dough into 6 pieces using a kitchen scissors, then place them into the casserole dish. Pour melted butter over the cinnamon roll pieces.
STEP 2: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Crumble. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the top of the buttered cinnamon rolls.
STEP 3: Prepare the Apple Filling. Cut up apples in the filling and transfer them to a bowl. Add lemon juice and mix.
STEP 4: Assemble. Add the diced apple mixture on top of the crumble, and then sprinkle the pecan halves. Use a wooden spoon to mix them all a bit.
STEP 6: Bake. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil, then bake for 40 minutes. Bake uncovered for another 3 – 5 minutes or until golden brown.
STEP 6: Warm the icing. Slightly melt the icing in the microwave for 10 seconds.
STEP 7: Serve and Enjoy. Drizzle the warm icing over the casserole and serve warm.
Helpful Tips & Tricks!
- Keep the frosting packet for drizzling later. If your canned cinnamon does not have one, you can make your own icing by dissolving powdered sugar in water or juice to form a thin consistency.
- Keep your canned cinnamon roll refrigerated until you are ready to use them.
- The size of your baking dish is important. This simple recipe calls for a 3 qt casserole dish to allow enough space for the dough pieces to rise as they bake.
- When baking, be careful while browning because pecans can burn quickly when on top of the casserole. Always make sure to check every minute when you bake it uncovered.
- Make sure to follow the recommended baking time. Normally, canned cinnamon rolls only take about 12 minutes to cook, but the baking time is longer because of the added liquids from the pie filling and butter. I recommend at least 40 minutes of baking time, or else you’ll get a gummy and uncooked cinnamon roll casserole.
Substitution and Variations
- You can add raisins or dried apricots if you want to add a fruitier flavor and chewy texture to your casserole.
- Add-ins like chocolate chips, other types of nuts, and sprinkles are welcomed. You can even add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top, then add some sprinkles, and you have yourself a birthday breakfast casserole. Perfect for morning surprises!
- If you do not like nuts or are allergic to them, you can simply omit the pecans. You can use sunflower or pumpkin seeds as a replacement.
- You can choose between regular frosting or cream cheese frosting. Both are delicious!
Storage
Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or place in an airtight container and refrigerate after the casserole cools to room temperature. This will last for about 3 days in the fridge after it’s made. To reheat, cover the entire dish with foil and cook at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through or cut individual pieces and pop them into the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t have to, but I love the tartness it adds to the sweet apple filling.
Flaky is absolutely fine to use! If you use jumbo biscuits, you will want to cut them into 6 pieces each instead of 4 to make them a bit smaller and easier to eat after being cooked
No…not technically…but it makes such a huge difference and makes it so much more delicious! The crumb gives it a nice crunch with the pecans!
Yes, you can experiment using different spices like nutmeg, ground cloves, or allspice.
Not really, but feel free to omit it if you like your cinnamon roll apple bake less sweet.
Sure, this recipe is perfect if you have some Granny Smith and Honeycrisps. However, you may need to add extra cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar.
If you are okay with investing the time and effort, why not?
If you’ve tried these Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how they turned out. We love hearing from you! You can also follow along with me on FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM to see more colorful recipes!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cans of refrigerated canned cinnamon rolls, with icing (8 count)
- 2 cups of apple pie filling, diced into smaller chunks
- ½ tablespoon of lemon juice
- 5 Tablespoons of butter, melted
- ⅓ cup of brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 1 cup of pecans
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Spray a 3 qt casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cut each cinnamon roll into 4 pieces and add them all to the prepared casserole dish
- Melt butter and pour over the cinnamon roll pieces
- Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl then sprinkle over the top of the buttered cinnamon roll pieces like a crumble.
- Cut up apples in the filling and place them in a bowl, add lemon juice and mix together
- Add the diced apples and filling over top of the crumble, then the pecan halves.
- Use a spoon to mix these into the casserole a bit to incorporate.
- Bake for 40 minutes, covered then uncovered for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown on top. (Be careful while browning because pecans can burn quickly when on top)
- Place all the icing in a microwave safe bowl and melt slightly for 10 seconds.
- Drizzle the warm icing over the casserole and serve warm!
NOTES
Storage Notes
Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or place in an airtight container and refrigerate after the casserole cools to room temperature. This will last for about 3 days in the fridge after it’s made. To reheat, cover the entire dish with foil and cook at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through or cut individual pieces and pop them into the microwave for 30-45 seconds.FAQs about Cinnamon Roll Casserole
- Do I have to use lemon juice? You don’t have to, but I love the tartness it adds to the sweet apple filling.
- Can I use flaky or jumbo biscuits? Flaky is absolutely fine to use! If you use jumbo biscuits, you will want to cut them into 6 pieces each instead of 4 to make them a bit smaller and easier to eat after being cooked.
- Is it necessary to add the extra cinnamon/brown sugar mixture on top? No…not technically…but it makes such a huge difference and makes it so much more delicious! The crumb gives it a nice crunch with the pecans!
- Can I use or add other spices aside from cinnamon? Yes, you can experiment using different spices like nutmeg, ground cloves, or allspice.
- Will it be too sweet with the frosting? Not really, but feel free to omit it if you like your cinnamon roll apple bake less sweet.
- Can I use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling? Sure, this recipe is perfect if you have slightly overripe Granny Smith and Honeycrisps. However, you may need to add extra cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar.
- Can I use a homemade cinnamon roll recipe instead of using canned? If you are okay with investing the time and effort, why not?
I have some in my fridge ! Delicious!
I made this for dessert at Christmas using your recipe and it was DELICIOUS!
🤤😍
This looks amazing! 🤤
Waiting for mine to come out of the oven!
Can it work if I use Peach Pie Filling instead of Apple ?
I try to please everyone, but some don’t care for Baked Apples.
Should I change anything else. These sound fast and easy, my favorite way to bake. Thanks !