Shortcut Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake

If you love the taste of homemade cinnamon rolls but hate the time that it takes to make them, then you’re going to fall in-love with my Shortcut Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake. This is a “shortcut” bake because it comes together with pre-made cinnamon roll dough, but don’t be fooled: it’s so good, it tastes homemade! Whether you enjoy this bake as an indulgent breakfast, or as a warm and cozy dessert, you can’t go wrong!

Friends, happy 2025! Can you believe that we are already halfway through the 2020’s? It feels like just yesterday we were all frantically on our phones, trying to figure out what to do after the government declared a lockdown. And now here we are, nearly five years later, and SO much has changed. For me, my boys are bigger than ever, I am no longer married, I live in a beautiful new house, I hit over 2 million followers on Instagram this year (THANK YOU, if you are one of them), and I can truly say that I am happier than ever. If the Nicole of 2020 could see me now, I know that she would be proud. I have a good feeling that 2025 is going to be the best year yet.

And to start off the best year yet, I am excited to share one of the best “lazy” recipes yet. I call this a “lazy” recipe because it’s the perfect one to make when you’re feeling just lazy enough to not want to make something entirely from scratch (especially something as labor-intensive as homemade cinnamon rolls) but feel motivated enough to still be in the kitchen. To make this cinnamon roll bake, and skip the tiresome step of making dough from scratch, this recipe calls for a pre-made cinnamon roll dough. I recommend either the classic Pillsbury brand or the Annie’s brand, but any pre-made cinnamon roll dough (even a gluten-free one!) works just as well. Pick your favorite and use it in this recipe – you can’t go wrong either way!

Plus, this Cinnamon Roll Bake is filled with tender, baked, Granny Smith apples and crunchy pecans for a truly warm and cozy flavor that is perfect for warming you up during those colder winter months. I love making this bake as a cozy weekend breakfast for my boys, or as a delicious dessert to store in the fridge and enjoy throughout the week. No matter what time of day that you decide to enjoy it, you truly can’t go wrong. It’s crisp and golden on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and comes together in just a matter of minutes!

What You Need to Make These Warm and Cozy Cinnamon Rolls

• Cinnamon Roll Dough + Icing: Since this is a “shortcut” recipe, it calls for pre-made cinnamon roll dough! This is such a simple and easy hack to make this recipe delicious, without the stress and prep of making homemade dough (which can take hours to prepare!) You will also need the icing packets from the cinnamon roll dough, so be sure to save them.
• Unsalted Butter: You can use either dairy or non-dairy butter here – both work just as well! As always, I recommend using what you have.
• Eggs: You’ll need 2 eggs in order to make this recipe. I do NOT recommend substituting them for a vegan-friendly egg alternative, as it won’t turn out the same. The eggs make the Cinnamon Roll Bake golden and crisp on the outside, while still keeping it light and fluffy on the inside.

• Milk: Pick your favorite milk and use it in this recipe! I use almond milk because it’s what I usually have, but both dairy and non-dairy milk work just as well.
• Vanilla Extract: A pinch of vanilla extract gives these cinnamon rolls a delicious, bakery-style flavor. Don’t skip it!
• Flour: A pinch of flour helps thicken the cinnamon rolls, making them light, fluffy, and delicious.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg gives that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
• Granny Smith Apple: When baked, the granny smith apple adds a soft, stewed texture to these cinnamon rolls, and a delicious, tart flavor. I love the way that the tartness of the apple pairs with the sweetness of the cinnamon rolls, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
• Pecans: Crunchy pecans provide the perfect topping for these cinnamon rolls, adding a nice texture and finishing touch.

How to Make This Easy Cinnamon Roll Bake

To make this Cinnamon Roll Bake, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Next, prepare the baking dish by rubbing butter generously on the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish. Set it aside. Next, add the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a medium-sized bowl and whisk to fully combine. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the cinnamon roll dough.

Roll out the pre-made cinnamon roll dough and cut each cinnamon roll into 6 even pieces. Repeat until all of the cinnamon rolls have been cut, then add them to the greased baking dish. Pour the egg mixture on top of the cinnamon roll bits and use a spoon to gently mix, being sure that the cinnamon roll pieces are covered in the egg mixture without being soggy. Then, chop the apple and add it to the baking dish alongside the pecan pieces, stirring again until they’re fully coated.

Transfer the cinnamon roll bake into the oven and allow it to bake for 20-25 minutes, until the dough has puffed up, the center is cooked, and the edges are golden brown. Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before drizzling the icing on top. Finally, slice into 12 pieces, then serve and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim