If you adore the cozy flavors of apple and cinnamon, then this Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe will quickly become one of your new all-time favorites. Imagine tender, flaky cinnamon roll pieces soaked in melted butter, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and layered with luscious pockets of sweet apple pie filling, all baked to golden perfection. This recipe combines the best of a cinnamon roll and an apple dessert, offering a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for brunch, a special breakfast, or even an indulgent snack. Every bite bursts with warm spices and fruity sweetness topped with a creamy drizzle of icing that ties everything together beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe calls for a handful of simple ingredients that work harmoniously to create a masterpiece of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a key role in balancing sweetness, adding moisture, or contributing to that irresistible aroma filling your kitchen.
- Sugar and ground cinnamon: A classic duo transforming the cinnamon rolls into a spiced delight with just the right amount of sweetness and warmth.
- Refrigerated Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Cinnamon Rolls: The base of this bake, these flaky pre-made rolls save time and provide fluffy, buttery layers.
- Butter, melted: Adds richness and helps the cinnamon sugar cling to the roll pieces for that extra luscious texture.
- Apple pie filling with chunks: Brings juicy bursts of tender apple and fruity sweetness that create heavenly pockets within the bake.
- Cooking spray: Ensures the bake doesn’t stick and makes clean-up effortless.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Cinnamon Sugar
Start by generously spraying a 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Next, combine sugar and ground cinnamon in a large resealable plastic bag — this mixture will coat your cinnamon roll pieces, giving them that classic sugary, spicy crust we all love.
Step 2: Cut and Coat the Cinnamon Rolls
Open your refrigerated cinnamon rolls and separate into individual rolls. Cut each roll into six pieces to create bite-sized chunks that make this recipe fun and easy to enjoy. Toss these pieces in melted butter so they become wonderfully moist and rich. Then, carefully transfer half the buttery roll pieces into the cinnamon sugar bag, sealing it tightly and giving it a good shake to coat thoroughly. Arrange the coated pieces evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Repeat the process for the remaining roll pieces and cinnamon sugar, layering them on top. Any leftover sugar mixture can be discarded.
Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight
This step is what sets this recipe apart. Cover your baking dish and refrigerate it overnight for 9 to 12 hours. This allows the roll pieces to soak up the cinnamon sugar and butter flavors, making the bake incredibly tender and flavorful once baked.
Step 4: Add Apple Pie Filling
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Cut the apples in the pie filling into roughly 1-inch pieces for chunky, juicy bursts throughout the bake. Dot twelve generous spoonfuls of apple pie filling evenly over the dough in the baking dish, spacing them about two inches apart so every bite delivers a perfect apple surprise.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Bake uncovered for 27 to 32 minutes, or until the dough is fully cooked in the center and has developed a beautiful deep golden brown hue around the edges. If you notice the top browning too quickly, cover it with foil for the last five minutes to avoid over-baking.
Step 6: Add Icing Drizzle
After baking, allow the dish to cool for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the cinnamon roll icing from the containers in a small microwavable bowl for 15 to 20 seconds. Stir until smooth and runny enough to drizzle beautifully over the top. That sweet, creamy icing drizzle on warm cinnamon rolls with apple filling is pure magic!
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe
Garnishes
Add a touch of flair by sprinkling some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts atop the icing drizzle for crunch and nuttiness. A light dusting of powdered sugar can elevate the visual appeal and add a hint of elegance. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top can also enhance the aromatic experience.
Side Dishes
This Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake is delightfully rich on its own but pairs wonderfully with a simple side of creamy vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent breakfast or dessert moment. For brunch, complement it with crispy bacon or fresh fruit salad for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this bake family-style straight from the dish for a cozy gathering, or scoop individual portions into warm bowls for a cute, inviting look. You can also layer it in small ramekins for single servings or serve alongside a steaming cup of spiced apple cider or coffee to make your meal extra special and comforting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover portions of this Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping it chilled ensures the flavors remain fresh while preventing the rolls from becoming soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to enjoy that same delicious taste and texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a microwave or oven. For the microwave, heat for 30 to 60 seconds until warm. If using an oven, cover loosely with foil and warm at 300°F for about 10 to 15 minutes to keep the bake soft and moist without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of refrigerated ones?
Absolutely! Homemade cinnamon rolls will add a personal touch and can elevate this Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe even further with your favorite dough and filling combo.
Is it necessary to refrigerate overnight?
Yes, refrigerating overnight lets the cinnamon sugar soak into the dough, which makes the texture softer and the flavor more infused for that irresistible taste you’re craving.
Can I substitute fresh apples instead of canned apple pie filling?
While fresh apples can work, they may require cooking first to become tender and sweet. The canned apple pie filling offers a convenient shortcut with ready-to-eat, perfectly spiced apples.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Try using dairy-free butter or margarine and check for cinnamon rolls that are made without dairy ingredients. You can also skip the icing or use a dairy-free glaze alternative.
Is this Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe suitable for a large group?
Definitely! This recipe yields 12 servings, making it perfect for family breakfasts, brunch parties, or potlucks. It’s easy to scale up if you want to feed an even bigger crowd.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting and joyful about the Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe that makes it a must-try for anyone who loves sweet, warm flavors coupled with a soft, tender texture. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply treat yourself to a cozy morning, this recipe delivers delightful results every time. Dive in and savor the magic of apples, cinnamon, and icing wrapped in flaky buttery bites—you’re going to love it!
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Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 9 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake is a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, layered with sweet apple pie filling and baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare with refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, it offers a warm, comforting dessert perfect for breakfast or brunch, featuring tender cinnamon dough pockets filled with juicy apples and finished with a smooth drizzle of sweet icing.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Mixture
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cans (17.5 oz each) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing (5 Count each)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 1 cup apple pie filling with more fruit (from 21-oz can)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish and dough: Spray a 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the sugar and ground cinnamon. Remove the cinnamon rolls from their cans, refrigerate the icing containers for later use, and separate the dough into 10 rolls. Cut each roll into 6 pieces, then put all pieces in a large bowl and drizzle with melted butter, tossing gently until all pieces are coated.
- Coat dough pieces with cinnamon sugar: Add half of the roll pieces to the bag with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Seal the bag and shake it well to coat the dough thoroughly, breaking up any large clumps of sugar. Remove the coated dough from the bag and arrange it evenly in the baking dish. Repeat the process for the remaining dough pieces. Discard any leftover sugar mixture. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 9 to 12 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Add apple pie filling: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator. Use kitchen scissors to cut the apple pie filling into approximately 1-inch pieces to ensure even distribution. Drop 12 tablespoonfuls of the apple filling onto the dough in the baking dish, spacing them about 2 inches apart to create pockets of fruit throughout the bake.
- Bake the casserole: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 27 to 32 minutes, or until the dough is baked through in the center and has a deep golden brown color around the edges. If the top starts to brown excessively, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- Prepare the icing and serve: Allow the bake to cool for 10 minutes. Transfer the icing from the refrigerated containers into a small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High for 15 to 20 seconds until the icing is warm and thin enough to drizzle. Stir well and drizzle the icing evenly over the warm cinnamon roll bake before serving.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough overnight allows it to absorb the cinnamon sugar flavors and creates a more tender texture.
- Cutting the apple pie filling into smaller pieces ensures the fruit pockets are evenly distributed throughout the bake.
- If you prefer a gooier texture, reduce baking time slightly but ensure dough is cooked through.
- Use kitchen scissors for easy cutting of dough and apple filling.
- Covering the bake with foil prevents over-browning while the center finishes baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
