Ingredients You’ll Need
Serves 6–8 people.
Base
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
OR 8–10 homemade rolls cut into pieces
Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples (peeled and diced)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickness)
Custard (extra softness)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Simple ingredients → bakery-style magic.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
This dish works because it combines:
Cinnamon rolls → soft and fluffy
Apples → juicy and fresh
Butter + sugar → caramel flavor
Custard → creamy texture
Glaze → sweet finish
When baked together, everything melts into one gooey, sticky, soft casserole.
It’s basically:
Apple pie + cinnamon rolls + bread pudding vibes.
Ultimate comfort food.
Choosing the Right Apples
Use firm apples that hold shape.
Best options:
- Granny Smith (slightly tart)
- Honeycrisp (sweet + crisp)
- Fuji
- Gala
Avoid very soft apples.
You want tender pieces, not mush.
Tart apples balance sweetness perfectly.
Cooking the Apple Filling
In a pan melt butter.
Add diced apples.
Cook 3–4 minutes.
Then add:
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
Cook until:
Soft
Slightly caramelized
Smells amazing
Optional: add cornstarch for thicker sauce.
Set aside.
This step creates deep apple pie flavor.
Totally worth it.
Preparing the Rolls
Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters or chunks.
Don’t worry about perfect shapes.
Rustic is fine.
Grease baking dish.
Spread roll pieces evenly.
They should cover the bottom.
This forms your soft fluffy base.
Adding the Custard
In bowl whisk:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cream
- Sugar
- Vanilla
Pour evenly over roll pieces.
This makes everything extra soft and moist.
Without custard it’s just bread.
With custard → gooey heaven.
Let soak 5–10 minutes.
Adding the Apples
Spread warm apple mixture over the top.
Make sure apples go everywhere.
Press lightly so they sink into dough.
Already looks delicious 😄
Baking to Perfection
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Bake for 30–35 minutes.
Look for:
Golden edges
Puffed rolls
Soft center
Bubbling apples
If browning too fast, cover loosely with foil.
Kitchen smell = cinnamon + apple paradise 🤤
Making the Glaze
While baking:
Mix:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla
Whisk until smooth.
Adjust thickness:
More milk → thinner
More sugar → thicker
You want pourable glaze.
Glazing the Bake
When hot out of oven:
Pour glaze all over.
It melts into cracks and corners.
Creates that shiny sweet finish like your photo.
Don’t skip this.
Glaze is everything 😍
Cooling Slightly Before Serving
Let rest 10 minutes.
Helps:
Set structure
Make slicing easier
Avoid burns
Warm is best.
But not lava-hot.
Texture and Taste
Every bite gives you:
Top:
Sweet vanilla glaze
Middle:
Soft cinnamon rolls
Inside:
Juicy caramel apples
Flavor:
Buttery, sweet, cinnamon-spiced, cozy
Like apple pie and cinnamon roll had a baby.
Pure happiness.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm with:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Milk
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel drizzle
Or breakfast on its own.
Great any time of day.
Flavor Variations
Want to mix it up?
Caramel apple
Add caramel sauce
Nutty crunch
Add pecans or walnuts
Cream cheese
Add cream cheese cubes
Maple glaze
Use maple syrup
Berry apple
Add blueberries
Pumpkin spice
Add pumpkin puree
Same base recipe, endless fun.
Storage Tips
Fridge:
Up to 4 days
Freezer:
2 months
Reheat:
Microwave or oven
Tastes amazing even next day.
Perfect make-ahead brunch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too much liquid
Soggy bottom
Not cooking apples first
Watery filling
Overbaking
Dry texture
Skipping glaze
Less flavor
Cutting too early
Falls apart
Follow steps → perfect bake.
Why This Recipe Works
Here’s the simple magic:
Rolls → fluffiness
Custard → softness
Apples → freshness
Butter + sugar → caramel
Glaze → sweetness
Together = warm bakery comfort.
Easy technique, big reward.
Final Thoughts
This glazed apple cinnamon roll bake is one of those recipes that feels special without extra work. Warm, gooey, sweet, and packed with cinnamon apple flavor, it’s the kind of dish that brings everyone into the kitchen the second it comes out of the oven.