This Cinnamon Roll Apple “Lasagna” is a show-stopping dessert that layers the spiced warmth of apple pie with the gooey, decadent texture of cinnamon rolls. By using pre-made cinnamon roll dough as the “noodles,” you create a rich, tiered bake smothered in caramel and cream cheese icing.
Cinnamon Roll Apple “Lasagna”
Ingredients
- 2 cans (12.4 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon rolls (keep the icing)
- 4 cups peeled, diced apples (about 4 medium apples)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup caramel sauce (for layering and drizzling)
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with the sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon until evenly coated. The cornstarch is essential to thicken the juices as the apples bake.
- Create the Base: Open the cinnamon roll cans. Take each roll and press or roll it out until it is flat and thin. Place a layer of these flattened rolls in the bottom of the baking dish, pinching any seams together to create a solid base.
- Layer: Spread half of the apple mixture over the cinnamon roll base. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce. Repeat with another layer of flattened cinnamon rolls and the remaining apples.
- Bake: Top with a final layer of cinnamon rolls. Brush the top with melted butter. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the dough is cooked through and the top is golden brown.
- Ice and Serve: While hot, drizzle the reserved cream cheese icing from the cans over the top, along with an extra swirl of caramel sauce.
Perfect Apple Pairings
For this recipe, you want an apple that holds its shape and offers a bit of tartness to balance the sweet cinnamon rolls.
| Apple Variety | Best For… |
|---|---|
| Granny Smith | Maximum tartness; stays very firm during the long bake. |
| Honeycrisp | Perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor with a great “crunch.” |
| Braeburn | Concentrated spicy-sweet flavor that intensifies when heated. |
