Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet Tasty and Fun Dessert

September 5, 2025 by Rosie

Craving a dessert that’s both tasty and fun to make? Look no further than this Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet! In just a few simple steps, you can create a mouthwatering treat that combines warm cinnamon rolls with sweet, spiced apples. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting friends, this dessert is sure to impress. Grab your skillet, and let’s dive into this delicious recipe!

Ingredients

List of Main Ingredients

2 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

The base of this dish is the cinnamon roll dough. It provides a soft and sweet layer. I use two medium apples for the filling. The apples should be peeled, cored, and diced to mix easily with the spices. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and depth to the flavor. Brown sugar adds sweetness, while lemon juice brightens the taste.

Optional Add-ins

½ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup raisins

You can add walnuts for crunch and a rich flavor. Raisins bring a nice chewy texture. Both add more taste but are not necessary. Use them if you like a bit more texture in your dessert.

Serving Suggestions

Ice cream or whipped cream toppings
Presentation ideas

Serving this dish straight from the skillet gives it a rustic charm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top makes it special. You can drizzle some icing over the top for extra sweetness. This dish is not just tasty; it looks good too!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This warms the oven for baking later.
In a medium bowl, mix diced apples, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, lemon juice, walnuts, and raisins. Stir well. The apples should be nicely coated.

Cooking Directions

In a large cast-iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Add the apple mix and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Stir often until the apples soften a bit. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Take the cinnamon roll dough and open the cans. Separate each roll. Flatten each roll slightly with your hands.
Layer these flattened rolls over the apple mix in the skillet. Cover as much as you can. If you have gaps, tear extra pieces to fill them.

Baking Instructions

Drizzle the icing from the cinnamon roll package over the top. You can warm it in the microwave if it’s thick.
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown rolls on top to know it’s done.
Once baked, remove the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes. This helps the flavors settle. Serve warm and drizzle with extra icing if you like!

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting Your Apple Mix

Choosing the right apples: I love using tart apples like Granny Smith. They give a nice balance to the sweet cinnamon rolls. You can also try Honeycrisp for a sweeter bite.
Adjusting sweetness and flavor: If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. For a zesty kick, a splash of lemon juice helps brighten the flavor.

Cinnamon Roll Techniques

Properly flattening the dough: When you take the cinnamon rolls out, flatten each one gently with your hands. This helps them fit better in the skillet.
Managing gaps in the roll layers: If you see gaps, don’t worry! Just tear small pieces from the dough and fill them in. This keeps everything cozy and tasty.

Presentation Tips

Serving directly from the skillet: I love serving this dish right from the skillet. It looks rustic and inviting.
Garnishing options and styling: Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of cinnamon can add a nice touch, too.

Variations

Flavor Customizations

You can make this dish even more fun with flavor twists. Adding caramel brings a rich sweetness. Pour it over the top before baking. You can also mix in other fruits like pears or berries. They add a burst of flavor and color. Changing your spice profile can also jazz things up. Try adding ginger or cloves for a warm kick. Each small change makes the dish unique.

Alternative Dough Options

If you want to try something different, use homemade cinnamon rolls. They add a fresh taste and aroma. You can also make this dish gluten-free. Many brands offer gluten-free cinnamon roll dough. For vegan options, look for plant-based dough. Ensure it fits your diet and still tastes good. These choices allow everyone to enjoy this dessert.

Seasonal Twists

Seasonal flavors can make your skillet even better. During fall, add pumpkin spice or pecans. They bring warmth and a cozy feel. For the holidays, try candy canes or eggnog. These flavors will impress your guests. You can even decorate with festive toppings. Seasonal twists keep this dessert exciting all year round.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet fresh, store leftovers in the fridge. Place the skillet in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. This way, it stays moist and tasty. You can also leave it in the skillet if it’s safe for the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warm. This keeps the rolls soft and the apples juicy.

Freezing Tips

You can freeze this dish before or after baking. If freezing before baking, cover the skillet tightly. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed. If you freeze after baking, let it cool completely first. Wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating and serve warm.

Shelf Life

When stored well, your Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet stays fresh for about 3-4 days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it lasts for about 2-3 months. Watch out for signs of spoilage. If you see mold, smell something off, or the texture changes, it’s time to toss it. Enjoy your delicious dessert while it’s at its best!

FAQs

How to make Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet from scratch?

To make this tasty dish, you need:

2 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing)
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
¼ cup raisins (optional)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

When you make it from scratch, you can use homemade cinnamon rolls. This adds a personal touch. You can also choose your own apple mix. The key is to melt the butter first, then add the apple mix. This helps the apples cook nicely and soak up all the flavors.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep this dish ahead of time. You can mix the apples and spices the night before. Just store them in the fridge. In the morning, layer the cinnamon rolls on top of the apple mix. Then, bake it fresh.

When baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. If you want a quick bake, you can also prepare it an hour before serving.

What are the best apples for this recipe?

For this dish, you want apples that are both sweet and tart. They should hold their shape while baking. Good choices include:

Granny Smith
Honeycrisp
Fuji
Braeburn

Granny Smith adds a nice tartness. Honeycrisp gives a sweet crunch. Always look for firm apples. They keep the pie from getting mushy.

This blog post shared a tasty way to make Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet. We covered key ingredients, from cinnamon roll dough to apples and spices. I shared tips for perfecting your apple mix and techniques for rolling. Presentation ideas and serving options help bring everything together.

Whether you customize flavors or store leftovers, you now have the knowledge to succeed. Enjoy creating this delightful treat and making it your own!

$- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing) - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon nutmeg - ¼ cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 2 tablespoons butter - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract The base of this dish is the cinnamon roll dough. It provides a soft and sweet layer. I use two medium apples for the filling. The apples should be peeled, cored, and diced to mix easily with the spices. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and depth to the flavor. Brown sugar adds sweetness, while lemon juice brightens the taste. - ½ cup chopped walnuts - ¼ cup raisins You can add walnuts for crunch and a rich flavor. Raisins bring a nice chewy texture. Both add more taste but are not necessary. Use them if you like a bit more texture in your dessert. - Ice cream or whipped cream toppings - Presentation ideas Serving this dish straight from the skillet gives it a rustic charm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top makes it special. You can drizzle some icing over the top for extra sweetness. This dish is not just tasty; it looks good too! - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This warms the oven for baking later. - In a medium bowl, mix diced apples, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, lemon juice, walnuts, and raisins. Stir well. The apples should be nicely coated. - In a large cast-iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. - Add the apple mix and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Stir often until the apples soften a bit. Remove the skillet from the heat. - Take the cinnamon roll dough and open the cans. Separate each roll. Flatten each roll slightly with your hands. - Layer these flattened rolls over the apple mix in the skillet. Cover as much as you can. If you have gaps, tear extra pieces to fill them. - Drizzle the icing from the cinnamon roll package over the top. You can warm it in the microwave if it’s thick. - Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown rolls on top to know it’s done. - Once baked, remove the skillet and let it cool for a few minutes. This helps the flavors settle. Serve warm and drizzle with extra icing if you like! - Choosing the right apples: I love using tart apples like Granny Smith. They give a nice balance to the sweet cinnamon rolls. You can also try Honeycrisp for a sweeter bite. - Adjusting sweetness and flavor: If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. For a zesty kick, a splash of lemon juice helps brighten the flavor. - Properly flattening the dough: When you take the cinnamon rolls out, flatten each one gently with your hands. This helps them fit better in the skillet. - Managing gaps in the roll layers: If you see gaps, don’t worry! Just tear small pieces from the dough and fill them in. This keeps everything cozy and tasty. - Serving directly from the skillet: I love serving this dish right from the skillet. It looks rustic and inviting. - Garnishing options and styling: Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of cinnamon can add a nice touch, too. {{image_2}} You can make this dish even more fun with flavor twists. Adding caramel brings a rich sweetness. Pour it over the top before baking. You can also mix in other fruits like pears or berries. They add a burst of flavor and color. Changing your spice profile can also jazz things up. Try adding ginger or cloves for a warm kick. Each small change makes the dish unique. If you want to try something different, use homemade cinnamon rolls. They add a fresh taste and aroma. You can also make this dish gluten-free. Many brands offer gluten-free cinnamon roll dough. For vegan options, look for plant-based dough. Ensure it fits your diet and still tastes good. These choices allow everyone to enjoy this dessert. Seasonal flavors can make your skillet even better. During fall, add pumpkin spice or pecans. They bring warmth and a cozy feel. For the holidays, try candy canes or eggnog. These flavors will impress your guests. You can even decorate with festive toppings. Seasonal twists keep this dessert exciting all year round. To keep your Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet fresh, store leftovers in the fridge. Place the skillet in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. This way, it stays moist and tasty. You can also leave it in the skillet if it's safe for the fridge. When you're ready to eat, reheat it in the oven at 350°F until warm. This keeps the rolls soft and the apples juicy. You can freeze this dish before or after baking. If freezing before baking, cover the skillet tightly. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed. If you freeze after baking, let it cool completely first. Wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating and serve warm. When stored well, your Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet stays fresh for about 3-4 days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it lasts for about 2-3 months. Watch out for signs of spoilage. If you see mold, smell something off, or the texture changes, it's time to toss it. Enjoy your delicious dessert while it’s at its best! To make this tasty dish, you need: - 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing) - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon nutmeg - ¼ cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional) - ¼ cup raisins (optional) - 2 tablespoons butter - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract When you make it from scratch, you can use homemade cinnamon rolls. This adds a personal touch. You can also choose your own apple mix. The key is to melt the butter first, then add the apple mix. This helps the apples cook nicely and soak up all the flavors. Yes, you can prep this dish ahead of time. You can mix the apples and spices the night before. Just store them in the fridge. In the morning, layer the cinnamon rolls on top of the apple mix. Then, bake it fresh. When baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. If you want a quick bake, you can also prepare it an hour before serving. For this dish, you want apples that are both sweet and tart. They should hold their shape while baking. Good choices include: - Granny Smith - Honeycrisp - Fuji - Braeburn Granny Smith adds a nice tartness. Honeycrisp gives a sweet crunch. Always look for firm apples. They keep the pie from getting mushy. This blog post shared a tasty way to make Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Skillet. We covered key ingredients, from cinnamon roll dough to apples and spices. I shared tips for perfecting your apple mix and techniques for rolling. Presentation ideas and serving options help bring everything together. Whether you customize flavors or store leftovers, you now have the knowledge to succeed. Enjoy creating this delightful treat and making it your own!$