Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Dump Cake - Easy Dessert Recipe

If you love easy desserts that look impressive but take almost no effort, this Apple Pie Dump Cake is going to be your new favorite. I took the classic apple pie dump cake idea and swapped the usual cake mix for cinnamon rolls, and the result is next level. It’s gooey, buttery, packed with apple flavor, and somehow tastes like apple pie and cinnamon rolls had a perfect little dessert baby.

This version is baked in an 8x8 dish, which makes it perfect for family dinner, a small gathering, or honestly just a random Tuesday night sweet tooth. It feels cozy and homemade without the work of making pie dough from scratch. That’s a win in my book.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Apple Pie Dump Cake is ridiculously simple. You cut up the cinnamon rolls, layer everything in the pan, and let the oven do the rest. No mixing bowls, no complicated steps, no stress.

It’s also the perfect shortcut apple dessert. You get that warm apple pie filling, buttery cinnamon flavor, and golden baked top without measuring flour or sugar. If you’re into easy dump cake recipes, this one deserves a spot at the top of your list.

And let’s be honest, cinnamon rolls just make everything better. That’s what sets this Apple Pie Dump Cake apart from the traditional cake mix version.

Ingredients And Tools

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this Apple Pie Dump Cake come together. That’s part of what makes it such an easy dessert recipe.

You’ll need refrigerated cinnamon rolls, one can of apple pie filling, melted butter, and a little ground cinnamon if you want to boost the flavor. The icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls gets drizzled on top at the end, which pulls everything together.

As far as tools go, just grab an 8x8 baking dish, a knife to quarter the rolls, and an oven. No mixer required for this apple pie dump cake.

How To Make It

Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish so nothing sticks.

Open your cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into quarters. Scatter those pieces evenly across the bottom of the dish, but do not press them down. You want them loose so the apple filling can settle in between.

Spoon the apple pie filling evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces. Make sure you distribute the apple chunks throughout so every bite of this Apple Pie Dump Cake gets that soft apple texture.

Drizzle the melted butter over the top. If you like extra warmth and spice, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon sugar across the surface.

Cook

Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. After this, add foil and tent, then bake for another 30-35 mintues. You’re looking for a deep golden brown top and fully cooked dough in the center.

Remember cooking times can vary based on a few reasons, so keep an eye on it while cooking.

Cooking times can vary depending on your oven, so check the middle before pulling it out.

This Apple Pie Dump Cake should be bubbly around the edges and set in the middle when it’s done. The cinnamon roll pieces will puff up and soak in that apple filling.

Serve

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps everything firm up slightly so it’s not overly gooey when you scoop it.

While it’s still warm, drizzle the reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls over the top. That icing melts into the surface and makes this Apple Pie Dump Cake taste like a bakery level dessert.

Serve it as is, or go big with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Warm apple pie dump cake with melting ice cream is hard to beat.

Serving Tips And Variations

If you want to level this up even more, try adding chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking. That gives your Apple Pie Dump Cake a little crunch to balance the soft filling.

You can also mix a splash of vanilla extract into the apple pie filling before layering it. It adds a subtle bakery flavor that makes this feel less like a shortcut and more like a homemade apple pie casserole.

If you’re feeding a crowd, you can double the recipe and bake it in a 9x13 dish. Just keep an eye on the center and add a few extra minutes if needed - though I haven't tested - this should be a pretty easy modification.

Pro Tips And Recipe Notes

• Do not press the cinnamon roll pieces down into the pan. Let them sit loosely so they can bake up fluffy and soak in the apple juices.
• Check the center before removing it from the oven. Since this Apple Pie Dump Cake uses refrigerated dough, you want to be sure it’s fully cooked through.
• If you prefer a slightly crispier top, bake closer to the 35 minute mark. If you like it softer and more gooey, pull it closer to 28 to 30 minutes. Just make sure it's fully cooked.

This recipe works great as a fall dessert, holiday dessert, or anytime you want an easy apple pie style treat without the work.

Wrap Up

This Apple Pie Dump Cake with cinnamon rolls is one of those recipes that feels almost too simple to be this good. It’s cozy, sweet, and packed with apple cinnamon flavor in every bite.

If you’re looking for an easy apple pie dump cake that stands out from the cake mix crowd, this is it. It’s fast, it’s forgiving, and it tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.