Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each), icing reserved
- 2 cups apple pie filling, diced into smaller chunks
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup pecans
- Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. This ensures the oven reaches the optimal temperature for baking your cinnamon roll apple pie bake, creating the perfect environment for the flavors to meld together and the dish to cook evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish – Butter a 3-quart casserole dish thoroughly, making sure to coat the bottom and sides. This prevents sticking and adds an extra layer of richness to the final dish.
- Cut Cinnamon Rolls – Open both cans of cinnamon rolls and set aside the icing packets for later use. Cut each cinnamon roll into four equal pieces and arrange them evenly in the prepared casserole dish, creating a foundation layer for your bake.
- Add Butter – Pour the melted butter over the cinnamon roll pieces, ensuring each piece gets coated. The butter will help the cinnamon rolls become golden and crisp on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.
- Create Cinnamon Layer – In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered cinnamon roll pieces. This layer adds a warm, spicy sweetness that complements the apple filling.
- Prepare Apple Filling – Transfer the apple pie filling to a large bowl and dice any larger apple pieces into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Add the fresh lemon juice to the apple mixture and stir gently. The lemon juice brightens the flavor of the apples and balances the sweetness.
- Layer Apples and Pecans – Spread the apple filling mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll layer, then scatter the pecans on top. Gently fold these ingredients into the cinnamon rolls without fully mixing them, creating pockets of apple filling throughout the casserole.
- Bake Covered – Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes, which allows the cinnamon rolls to cook through and absorb the flavors of the apple filling and spices.
- Finish Baking – Remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 3-5 minutes until the top becomes golden brown. Watch carefully during this final stage to prevent the pecans from burning, as they can quickly go from perfectly toasted to overdone.
- Add Icing – Place the reserved icing in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 10 seconds until slightly melted and pourable. Drizzle the warm icing over the hot casserole, allowing it to melt slightly into the crevices. For extra indulgence, add a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- For best results, choose a high-quality apple pie filling or make your own with fresh apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
- This dish can be prepared the night before and refrigerated. Simply add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Try different nuts like walnuts or almonds for variation.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert version.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg