This puffy cinnamon roll filled with apple pie filling is simple to make, irresistibly tasty, and perfect for family breakfasts or an easy dessert.
If you remember the discontinued McDonald’s cinnamon roll, you’ll love this homemade adaptation. Inspired by a viral cinnamon roll hack, this version yields a bakery-style, fluffy casserole that’s quick to assemble with store-bought components.
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Why This Cinnamon Roll and Apple Pie Filling Recipe Works 👩🏼🍳
- Easy: Combine canned apples, store-bought cinnamon rolls, and a caramelized brown sugar-butter syrup in a baking dish and bake. Serve with coffee for a cozy breakfast or as a crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Versatile: While this recipe uses apple pie filling, you can swap in other fruit fillings—peach, mixed berries, or cranberry all work well.
- Family-Friendly: This one-pan dish is a family favorite — great for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or after-dinner treats.
- Budget-Friendly: The recipe relies on pantry-friendly items like canned fruit and refrigerated cinnamon rolls, making it affordable and widely accessible.
- Feeds a crowd: The 9×13 casserole serves several people. Double the ingredients for larger gatherings and add frosting just before serving.
📃Ingredient Description
- Cinnamon rolls: Use store-bought refrigerated cinnamon rolls (Pillsbury-style). Two 17.2-ounce cans are ideal for a 9×13 pan.
- Apple pie filling: Canned or homemade apple pie filling works—choose one with less extra liquid for better texture. Chop larger apple pieces if you prefer smaller bites.
- Butter: Unsalted butter, melted and combined with sugar and spices to create a syrup that flavors and slightly crisps the rolls.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramel depth and creates a glossy, toasty topping.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and a touch of allspice contribute warm, fall-inspired flavor.
💭 Variations and Substitutions
If you prefer a different topping than the tube icing that comes with the rolls, try a simple cream cheese glaze made by whisking softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of milk. A caramel drizzle or vanilla glaze are also excellent alternatives. Drizzle the glaze over the warm casserole just before serving.
Substitutions can change texture and flavor slightly, but the options above are reliable ways to tweak the recipe to your taste.
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
The recipe card below contains full details; here are the main steps with helpful tips:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Melt the butter, whisk in brown sugar and spices, and set aside.
Step 2: Remove the cinnamon rolls from their tubes and cut each roll into four chunks. Work quickly so the dough doesn’t soften too much.
Step 3: Place the cinnamon roll chunks in the greased baking dish. Add the apple filling (use tongs or a slotted spoon to avoid excess juice), and pour three-quarters of the butter-sugar mixture over the fruit and dough. Gently fold to combine, taking care not to overwork the dough.
Step 4: Spread the remaining butter mixture over the top, cover the dish with foil, and bake until the casserole is puffed and lightly browned, then remove the foil and bake a few more minutes to crisp the edges. Warm the included icing if desired and drizzle over the hot casserole before serving.
👩🏽🍳 Maur’s Tips
- Cut the rolls right before mixing with the apples to keep the dough from becoming too soft.
- If the canned filling seems very juicy, squeeze a little of the excess liquid from the apples to avoid a soggy bake.
- Chop large apple pieces for easier serving and eating.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheating in a warm oven helps restore texture; freezing after baking is not recommended.
📝 Recipe FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes. Cream cheese glaze, vanilla icing, or a caramel drizzle are all delicious alternatives to the tube icing.
You can freeze the dish before baking. Thaw and bake when ready. Freezing after baking can affect texture.
Limit excess juice from the canned filling by draining or gently squeezing the apples. Bake covered to retain moisture, then uncover toward the end to crisp the top. A 350°F oven works well.
Love Breakfast Recipes? Here are some Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Try:
- Easy Baked Brioche French Toast Casserole
- Easy Zopf Bread (not Challah)
- Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
- Egg Stuffed Acorn Squash
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PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
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📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Roll With Apple Pie Filling
Equipment
-
9 x 13 casserole dish
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Microwave-safe bowl
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Hand whisk
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter plus more to grease the pan
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 (17.2-ounce) cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 2 (21-ounce) cans fruit (apple) filling
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 casserole or baking dish and set aside.
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Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and allspice until combined. Set aside.
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Place wax or parchment paper on a tray. Remove the rolls from their tubes and cut each into four pieces.
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Transfer the cinnamon roll pieces to the greased dish. Scoop apples from the can with tongs or a slotted spoon to avoid too much juice, add them to the dish, and drizzle about ¾ of the butter-sugar mixture over the top.
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Gently fold the mixture by hand, taking care not to overmix. Pour the remaining butter-sugar mixture over the top.
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Cover with foil and bake for about 28 minutes, or until puffed and lightly golden. Remove the foil and bake an additional 7 minutes to crisp the edges.
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Warm the icing that came with the rolls briefly in the microwave to thin if needed, or use your preferred glaze.
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While hot, drizzle the icing over the casserole and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Work quickly when cutting the rolls so the dough remains manageable.
- If the canned filling is very juicy, remove a little liquid to reduce sogginess.
- Chop oversized apple chunks if you prefer smaller bites.
Nutrition
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