Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie is the ultimate dessert mashup—combining gooey cinnamon rolls and classic apple pie into one irresistible dish. With a cinnamon roll crust, spiced apple filling, and a drizzle of icing on top, this pie brings all your favorite comfort flavors together in one stunning slice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for when you can’t choose between cinnamon rolls and apple pie. The cinnamon roll crust is not only creative but also super simple to make, especially with store-bought rolls. The spiced apple filling brings a traditional touch, while the icing adds a sweet finish. It’s a crowd-pleaser for holidays, brunches, or anytime you want a cozy, comforting dessert.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with included icing)
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Cornstarch or flour (for thickening)
- Lemon juice
- Butter
directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- Flatten each cinnamon roll and press them into the bottom and sides of the pie dish to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, mix sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well coated.
- Pour the apple filling into the cinnamon roll crust and dot with small pieces of butter.
- Optional: Add a few more flattened cinnamon rolls over the top or create a lattice crust.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 1520 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
- Let the pie cool slightly. Drizzle with the icing from the cinnamon roll package before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields 8 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 4550 minutes
Total time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch.
- Mix in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries for added sweetness and texture.
- Use homemade cinnamon roll dough if you prefer everything from scratch.
- Swap apples for pears for a unique flavor twist.
storage/reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 2030 seconds or reheat the whole pie in a 300°F oven until warmed through. Avoid reheating the icing if you want to preserve its texture—add fresh drizzle if needed.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls for the crust?
Yes! Homemade cinnamon rolls work beautifully, just make sure they’re rolled out thin enough to press into the pie dish.
What kind of apples are best for this pie?
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are great choices because they hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
Do I need to cook the apples before baking?
No, the apples cook down in the oven, saving you a step and keeping the process simple.
Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge and warm it before serving.
What if I don’t have lemon juice?
You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or leave it out—it’s mainly for preventing browning and enhancing flavor.
How do I prevent a soggy bottom?
Flatten the cinnamon rolls evenly and press them well into the pie dish. You can also prebake the crust for 57 minutes before adding the filling.
Can I freeze this pie?
Yes, wrap the baked and cooled pie tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
How do I keep the top from over-browning?
Cover loosely with foil during the first part of baking, and uncover for the last 1520 minutes.
Can I add caramel?
Absolutely! A drizzle of caramel sauce before serving makes this pie even more indulgent.
What should I serve it with?
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream pairs perfectly with this dessert.
Conclusion
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie is a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. With its buttery cinnamon roll crust and tender spiced apple filling, it combines two beloved classics into one unforgettable dish. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday or just a cozy night in, this pie is guaranteed to impress and satisfy.
Description
This Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie is a cozy mash-up of two classic desserts. Sweet cinnamon rolls form the crust, while the filling is packed with tender apples, warm spices, and a hint of vanilla. It’s the perfect fall dessert—or really, anytime you’re craving something sweet and comforting!
For the crust:
For the filling:
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.
-
On a floured surface, roll each cinnamon roll flat into a disk, about 1/4 inch thick.
-
Press the flattened rolls into the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish to form a crust, pinching together any gaps.
-
In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and lemon juice.
-
Pour the apple mixture into the prepared crust and dot with diced butter.
-
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 1520 minutes, until the crust is golden and apples are tender.
-
Let cool for at least 20 minutes. Drizzle with the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls before serving.
Notes
-
You can make this pie even easier by using pre-sliced apples.
-
For a crispier top, sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon sugar before baking.
-
Tastes amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
