Easy Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake for a Quick Breakfast Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For an extra layer of texture, consider adding a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking. The nuts will toast beautifully in the oven and provide a nice crunch that contrasts with the soft rolls and apples. If you choose to add nuts, sprinkle them on at the same time as the cinnamon sugar to ensure they adhere to the sauce.

If you find that the tops of the cinnamon rolls are browning too quickly before the center is cooked, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.

This protects the sugar topping from burning while allowing the heat to continue cooking the dough through to the center. Remove the foil for the last few minutes to ensure the top stays crisp.

Variations

• Caramel Apple Twist: Drizzle a quarter cup of store-bought caramel sauce over the top of the dish immediately after pulling it out of the oven for an extra indulgent, sticky caramel apple flavor.
• Spiced Nut Topping: Add a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans over the cinnamon rolls before baking. The nuts toast during the process, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezer

Freeze for up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the best texture, try to keep the rolls in a single layer if possible, though stacking them is acceptable if you are short on space.

Always allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before covering and moving it to the refrigerator to prevent excess condensation.

You can assemble the dish up to 4 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. However, do not add the cream or cinnamon sugar until you are ready to bake, as the raw dough may absorb too much liquid if left for too long. If assembling ahead, simply pour the cream and add the sugar topping just before putting the dish into the oven.

Serving ideas

Serve this bake warm, ideally straight from the oven. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or cold milk, which helps balance the sweetness of the apple and cinnamon.

You can use a spatula to lift out individual portions, ensuring each serving includes a generous amount of the caramelized apple filling and the syrupy cream sauce from the bottom of the dish.

If you want to dress up the dish for a special brunch, consider serving each portion with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream.

The cool, creamy element contrasts beautifully with the warm, spiced rolls and apples. For a more rustic presentation, serve the dish directly in the baking container and allow guests to scoop their own portions.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake for a Quick Breakfast

Prep 5 minCook 25 minRest 5 minTotal 35 minServes 8

Ingredients

• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls, cut into quarters
• 2 cans apple pie filling
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large rectangular ceramic baking dish, spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom. Take the raw cinnamon roll pieces and nestle them into the apple filling, ensuring they are distributed across the dish in a single layer.
2. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the arranged cinnamon rolls and apple filling. Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the entire dish to ensure a golden, caramelized top once baked.
3. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are puffed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

62 g

Fat

18 g

Fiber

2 g

Sugar

35 g

Sodium

580 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.