Easy Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake with Pecans

Ingredients

For the cinnamon roll bake

• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls, with icing reserved
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or caramel sauce, optional

For the creamy custard

• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Optional vanilla glaze

• Reserved cinnamon-roll icing
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1–2 teaspoons milk, if needed

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking dish
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut the cinnamon rolls
   Open the cinnamon-roll cans and set the icing aside. Cut each cinnamon roll into 4 small pieces. Spread about half of the pieces evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3. Make the apple filling
   In a bowl, combine the diced apples, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Stir until the apples are evenly coated.
4. Layer the bake
   Spoon the cinnamon apples over the first layer of cinnamon-roll pieces. Sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over the apples. Add the remaining cinnamon-roll pieces on top.
5. Prepare the custard
   In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
6. Pour and rest
   Slowly pour the custard mixture over the cinnamon rolls. Gently press the pieces down with a spoon so they absorb some of the liquid. Sprinkle the remaining pecans over the top.
7. Bake
   Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil during the final 10 minutes.
8. Add the glaze
   Allow the bake to cool for about 10 minutes. Warm the reserved icing slightly so it becomes easy to drizzle. Mix in a little powdered sugar and milk if you want a thinner, creamier glaze.
9. Serve
   Drizzle the warm vanilla icing over the bake and serve immediately.

Serving Ideas

Enjoy this apple cinnamon roll bake with:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Warm caramel sauce
• Extra toasted pecans
• Whipped cream
• A sprinkle of cinnamon
• Fresh apple slices

Tips for the Best Bake

• Use Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala apples for great flavor and texture.
• For extra caramel flavor, drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before baking.
• Toast the pecans for a few minutes before adding them for a deeper, nuttier taste.
• If you prefer a softer, bread-pudding-like texture, let the assembled bake rest for 10–15 minutes before putting it in the oven.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30–45 seconds.

Warm, gooey, buttery, and packed with cinnamon apples and crunchy pecans, this easy bake is a delicious treat everyone will want a second serving of.