Julie Clark
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Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling and Heavy Cream
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Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling and heavy cream is the 3-ingredient bake that makes canned cinnamon rolls taste homemade.
You’ll layer apple pie filling in a 9×13 pan, scatter quartered cinnamon roll pieces on top, pour heavy cream over everything, and bake at 350ºF for 40 to 45 minutes. The cream is the secret: it soaks into the dough so the rolls bake up soft and gooey instead of dry and canned-tasting.
An easy breakfast or dessert recipe
I’ve made this cinnamon roll casserole for Christmas morning breakfast casserole and for last-minute potluck desserts, and it disappears either way. It’s like apple pie for people who don’t want to make pie crust. Five minutes of prep is all it asks of you. It’s a delicious cinnamon dessert!
What Does the Heavy Cream Do?
Heavy cream soaks into the bottom of the cinnamon roll dough as it bakes, keeping the rolls soft and gooey instead of dry. It also thickens with the apple pie filling into a rich, caramel-like sauce. This is the same trick behind our viral TikTok cinnamon roll hack, and after testing it side by side, I won’t bake canned cinnamon rolls without it.
Use real heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. Milk and half-and-half are too thin and will leave the bottom of the bake watery instead of saucy.
About Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Pie Filling:
- Flavor: Warm cinnamon spice with sweet apples and a powdered sugar glaze. The fall flavors shine in this cinnamon roll apple bake!
- Texture: Gooey cinnamon rolls baked with tender apple slices. The top of the cinnamon rolls have a slight crispness to them which pairs well with the gooey filling.
- Method: This recipe bakes in a 9×13″ baking dish. You only need 5 minutes prep time and plan about 45 minutes for baking. Or try it in the slow cooker like our slow cooker cinnamon roll casserole.
You’ll definitely need to try our viral apple cake!
The 3 Ingredients You Need
You only need 3 ingredients:
- Canned apple pie filling: This is the star of the show, bringing a rich, fruity flavor to your dish. Each can of filling adds a lovely sweetness and texture, making the rolls extra special. My favorite brand is Aldi apple pie filling.
- Canned cinnamon rolls: The convenience of pre-made cinnamon roll dough means less prep time and more enjoying! These rolls will puff up beautifully in the oven, wrapping around the apple filling for a perfect blend of flavors. My favorite brand of cinnamon rolls is Pillsbury, although store brands work as well.
- ½ cup of heavy cream: This adds a luxurious richness to the filling, making it creamier and more indulgent. It’s a simple addition that elevates the whole dish.
Make Half a Recipe for a Smaller Crowd
To make half a recipe in an 8×8″ baking pan, use one can of apple pie filling, one tube of cinnamon rolls and ¼ cup heavy cream. It will take less time to bake so watch it closely.
Want a Richer Filling? Try This Tested Upgrade
Stir 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla into the apple pie filling before spreading it in the pan. You’ll see versions of this online calling for ½ cup of brown sugar, but the canned filling is already sweet, so I keep the added sugar less. The butter and vanilla are what make it taste homemade.
How Do You Make Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling?
This recipe is meant to be quick and easy. For the semi-homemade method, there are 4 simple steps:
- Spread the apple pie filling in the bottom of a 9×13″ casserole dish.
- Open the can of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into 4 pieces. Sprinkle the cinnamon roll pieces evenly overtop the apple pie filling.
- Pour the heavy cream over the top of the cinnamon rolls.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, then drizzle with icing.
Then drizzle with the white glaze that comes in the tube of cinnamon rolls.
Can I Make This From Scratch?
Want to bake this sweet treat from scratch? Use our own homemade apple pie filling or fried apples recipe that uses fresh apples.
Then visit our homemade cinnamon rolls, but only make half a recipe. Otherwise it won’t all fit in the baking pan. You want to give those warm cinnamon rolls plenty of room to rise.
Drizzle the top with powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese cinnamon roll icing.
Serving Suggestions
Once you’ve baked this breakfast bake to a golden brown perfection, it’s time to serve it up! Here are a few ideas to make your Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Pie Filling even more irresistible:
- Add a Topping: Consider a sprinkle of brown sugar or chopped pecans on top just before serving, which will add a delightful crunch and a hint of extra sweetness. You can also drizzle with maple syrup.
- Creamy Accompaniments: A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can make this dish even more delightful, especially if you’re serving it as a dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does putting heavy cream on cinnamon rolls do?
Heavy cream soaks into the bottom of the cinnamon roll dough as it bakes, keeping the rolls soft and gooey instead of dry. The cream thickens with the apple pie filling into a rich sauce, which is why canned cinnamon rolls baked this way taste closer to homemade.
How do I know when the cinnamon rolls are done?
The tops should be deep golden brown and the center pieces should spring back when pressed. Nudge apart two rolls in the middle of the pan; if you see wet, shiny dough, bake 5 more minutes. If the tops brown before the center sets, cover the pan loosely with foil.
Is this a breakfast or a dessert?
Both. Serve it warm with coffee as a Christmas morning breakfast casserole, or top it with vanilla ice cream and serve it as an easy fall dessert. It holds well enough to make it in the morning and rewarm it after dinner.
Storing and Reheating
If you find yourself with leftovers (which might be a rare occurrence!), here’s how to keep them tasting fresh:
- Storing: Allow the cinnamon roll bake to cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply cover the leftovers with foil and place in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until it is warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers by the plate for a quick reheat.
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling and Heavy Cream
Canned cinnamon rolls baked over apple pie filling with heavy cream poured on top. The cream soaks into the dough so the rolls come out gooey and soft, like homemade, with 5 minutes of prep.
Servings 12
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cans of apple pie filling 20 ounces each
- 2 cans of cinnamon rolls 12.4 ounces each
- 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13″ casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the apple pie filling in the bottom of the prepared pan. 2 cans of apple pie filling
- Open both cans of cinnamon rolls and set the icing packets aside. Cut each roll into 4 pieces and sprinkle the pieces evenly over the apple pie filling. 2 cans of cinnamon rolls
- Pour the heavy cream over the top of the cinnamon rolls. ½ cup heavy cream
- Bake for 40-45 minutes. If the top is getting too brown, cover with aluminum foil to finish baking, but prevent further browning.
- Let the bake cool for 5 minutes, then drizzle both packets of the reserved icing over the top. The warmth of the bake will melt the icing into the crevices.
Video
Notes
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 12, with 1 serving being 1/12 of the casserole. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition
Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Can this be made with your homemade cinnamon rolls and still turn out? Have you ever tried? This recipe is wonderful but just wondered about all homemade to take it up a notch. I love baking from scratch.