Viral Lazy Apple Pie

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Lazy apple pie, just cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling. So easy, so gooey. This is the viral pie that took over Facebook and TikTok this fall, and it is the laziest apple pie you will ever make. Three ingredients, one dish, no peeling apples, no making dough. You cut up a can of cinnamon rolls, pour cream over them, spoon apple pie filling on top, and bake.

This is apple season baking at its simplest. Open a tube of cinnamon rolls, cut each one into quarters, spread them in a dish, pour cream over them, and spoon the filling on top. In about 30 minutes, you have a warm, bubbly pie — soft, gooey, and covered in icing. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Only 3 ingredients: Cinnamon rolls, apple pie filling, and heavy cream. That’s it.
  • No dough to make: The cinnamon rolls are the crust, the filling, and the topping, all in one can.
  • So gooey: The cream soaks into the rolls as they bake, so they come out soft, rich, and gooey, not dry.
  • Perfect for apple season: Warm, cinnamon, and made to share — serve it warm with vanilla ice cream.
  • Great for sharing: It scoops neatly, travels well, and looks impressive with almost no effort.

Ingredients

  • 1 can jumbo cinnamon rolls (5-count), with cream cheese icing
  • 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) apple pie filling
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, to sprinkle (optional)

For the topping, optional:

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Step-by-Step Method

1. Heat the oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

this Recipe

2. Cut the rolls. Open the can of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into quarters. You should have 20 pieces. Keep the icing tub aside for later — don’t throw it away.

3. Layer and pour the cream. Spread the cinnamon roll quarters evenly in the greased dish, in a single layer. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the top, so it soaks into the rolls as they bake.

4. Add the filling. Spoon the apple pie filling over the cinnamon rolls and spread it out so it covers the rolls nicely. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top if you like.

5. Bake until bubbly. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until bubbly and the cinnamon rolls are cooked through.

6. Warm and drizzle the icing. While the pie is still warm, warm the cream cheese icing for a few seconds in the microwave, just until it pours easily. Drizzle it all over the top in zigzags.

7. Rest and serve. Rest for 5-10 minutes, so the filling sets a little and the icing settles in. Scoop and serve warm, with vanilla ice cream if you like.

Tips for Best Results

  • Use jumbo rolls: The 5-count jumbo can is the one the viral recipe uses. Regular rolls work too, but use 2 cans.
  • Don’t skip the cream: The cream is what makes the rolls soft and gooey instead of dry. Pour it evenly, not all in one spot.
  • Check the centre: The edges cook first. Check the middle pieces — if they still look doughy, bake for 5 more minutes and cover loosely with foil.
  • Warm the icing: Cold icing won’t drizzle. Warm it for 10 seconds, stir, and drizzle while the pie is still warm.
  • Let it rest: 5-10 minutes firms the filling and makes serving neater. Cut it too soon and it will run.

Variations

  • Add a brown sugar crumble: Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour, and 4 tablespoons melted butter until crumbly, and sprinkle it over the filling before baking. This is the topping from Alaina Hale’s original version.
  • Try a different filling: Cherry, peach, or blueberry pie filling all work the same way, with the same rolls and the same bake time.

Storage / Make-Ahead / Reheating

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat scoops in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or reheat the whole dish, covered with foil, in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15 minutes. Assemble up to a day ahead, refrigerate, then bake as directed, adding a few minutes. Best served warm, within a few hours of baking.

FAQ

Can I use regular cinnamon rolls instead of jumbo?
Yes. Use 2 cans of regular rolls, cut into quarters, and keep the bake time the same. Check the centre before you take it out.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble the day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding a few minutes if needed.

Why are my rolls still doughy in the middle?
The dish was probably too deep, or the oven wasn’t fully preheated. Bake for 5 more minutes, cover loosely with foil so the top doesn’t burn, and check the centre again.