This post has been sponsored by Pillsbury. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make A Latte Food possible!
Prepare to elevate your dessert game with a truly innovative twist on a classic favorite: the Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie. This isn’t just any apple pie; it’s a culinary marvel that swaps the traditional pastry crust for a sensational crust made from buttery cinnamon rolls. The result? A remarkably flaky, irresistibly buttery base that perfectly complements the spiced apple filling and a delectable Dutch crumb topping. It’s a delightful fusion that promises to become your go-to recipe for an easy, yet impressive, homemade apple pie.
Simplify Your Baking with Smart Shortcuts and Online Grocery Pickup
Gone are the days of tedious pie crust preparation. This recipe embraces convenience without sacrificing flavor, thanks to one brilliant shortcut: Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls. These readily available rolls provide an incredibly flaky and buttery crust that tastes truly homemade, but without all the effort. To make your baking experience even smoother, you can easily gather all your ingredients, including the Grands! Cinnamon Rolls Original, through your local Walmart’s Online Grocery Pickup. It’s a game-changer for busy bakers!
My journey to perfecting the ultimate easy apple pie began during my college years, a time filled with unexpected culinary adventures. As a self-proclaimed ‘hall mom’ to several freshman dormitories, my kitchen often became a haven for hungry students. They devoured anything I baked, instantly declaring it “the best thing ever”—a wonderful boost for my baking ego!
One Thanksgiving week, I embarked on an ambitious project: baking nearly a hundred mini apple pies for my three halls, each bustling with over 30 boys. My vision was adorable, rustic, and utterly charming. However, reality quickly set in. With one notoriously unreliable oven and a severe lack of time and space, the project spiraled into an epic disaster. The cost alone became astronomical, and I found myself needing to run to the grocery store for the fourth time, completely overwhelmed.
Mid-project, I had to abandon my grand plan. I gifted the few pies I had managed to bake to my neighbors and, in a moment of desperate pragmatism, chose my favorite hall (apologies to the others; it was a dark time in my baking history) and simply made them cinnamon rolls. While the mini apple pie dream crumbled, a revolutionary idea sparked: what if I could combine the comforting warmth of cinnamon rolls with the classic deliciousness of apple pie? This fusion, I realized, might just lead me to the homemade apple pie of my dreams.
Overcoming Pie-Making Intimidation with Clever Shortcuts
For many years, the idea of baking a pie from scratch felt incredibly overwhelming. If you share that sentiment, please don’t let my college baking mishap deter you from trying this incredible Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie. Over time, I’ve discovered that homemade pies don’t have to be daunting. The secret lies in strategic preparation and embracing clever baking shortcuts that enhance, rather than compromise, flavor. These ‘semi-homemade’ approaches make the entire process enjoyable and surprisingly easy.
This particular recipe masterfully utilizes one such simple, yet powerful, shortcut: Grands! Cinnamon Rolls. The impact of this single ingredient on the pie’s overall flavor and texture is truly astonishing. It transforms the baking experience, giving you more time to enjoy the process and less time worrying about a finicky crust. The buttery, sweet notes of the cinnamon rolls infuse every bite of the pie, creating a unique depth of flavor that a traditional crust simply can’t achieve.
Crafting the Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Crust
Let’s delve into the magic of this cinnamon roll crust. It all starts and ends with those glorious Grands! Cinnamon Rolls, which, believe it or not, create one of the flakiest pie crusts you’ll ever encounter. The process is remarkably straightforward:
- You’ll cut each cinnamon roll in half horizontally, effectively doubling your crust material.
- Half of these flattened rolls are then pressed into your pie plate to form the bottom crust. The key here is to flatten them into a relatively thin layer. This ensures even baking and allows the rolls to expand beautifully in the oven without becoming too dense.
- The remaining rolls are flattened and arranged to create the top crust, which will be wonderfully rustic with natural gaps for ventilation.
Once your apple filling is nestled inside, a generous sprinkling of the rich Dutch crumb topping is added, making this pie extra decadent. And for those who truly love an over-the-top indulgence (which I wholeheartedly endorse!), don’t forget the signature Grands! Cinnamon Rolls icing. A warm drizzle over the baked pie adds an extra layer of sweetness and a glossy finish that’s simply divine. This unique crust not only saves time but also imparts a delightful cinnamon-sugar flavor right into the foundation of your pie, setting it apart from any other apple pie you’ve tasted.
Unbeatable Convenience with Walmart Online Grocery Pickup
Beyond the incredible flavor and innovative crust, one of my absolute favorite aspects of this homemade apple pie recipe is its sheer ease. Utilizing Grands! Cinnamon Rolls drastically reduces pie preparation time, making it my ultimate pie shortcut. But the convenience doesn’t stop there.
I rely heavily on Walmart’s Online Grocery Pickup. This service allows me to order all the ingredients for this delicious pie—and my entire weekly grocery list—online from the comfort of my home. I simply select a pickup time, and my order is ready and waiting for me when I arrive at the store. It’s incredibly fast, exceptionally convenient, and saves me a significant amount of time, especially during busy holiday seasons when I’m tackling multiple baking projects.
Of course, if you enjoy the experience of traditional grocery shopping (sometimes I find it quite therapeutic myself!), you can easily locate Grands! Cinnamon Rolls in the refrigerated section, typically alongside other canned biscuit doughs. Walmart’s store locator is a handy tool to find your nearest store and even check product availability in advance, ensuring you have everything you need to create this fantastic dessert.
Baking Tips and Tricks for this Super Easy Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie Recipe:
- Keep Dough Cold: Ensure your Grands! Cinnamon Rolls are relatively cold when you begin working with them. Colder dough is much firmer and easier to cut, flatten, and manipulate into a crust. This prevents it from becoming too sticky or tearing.
- Crust Quantity: For a standard 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, one can of Grands! Cinnamon Rolls is usually sufficient. A typical can contains five large rolls. You’ll cut each roll in half horizontally, yielding ten thinner pieces. I found that six of these halves work perfectly for the bottom crust, with the remaining four used for the top lattice or full crust.
- Flattening Technique: When creating the bottom crust, flatten the cinnamon roll halves into a very thin, even layer, making sure there are no gaps between them. For the top layer, it’s perfectly fine if there are small holes; these actually provide necessary ventilation during baking, preventing the pie from bubbling over. Any minor imperfections will be beautifully hidden by the Dutch crumb topping.
- Prevent Burning Edges: The cinnamon roll dough tends to cook faster than the pie’s center, especially around the edges. To prevent burning, always use a pie shield. If you don’t have one, aluminum foil can be molded to cover the edges effectively. Apply it about halfway through baking, or when the crust edges start to turn golden.
How ’bout them apples? Seriously, this pie is a showstopper!
Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie
Ingredients
Apple Pie:
- 1 can Grands! Cinnamon Rolls Original
- 5-6 cups apples (peeled and thinly sliced (you can use any kind; I used a mix of Gala and Honey Crisp))
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Dutch Crumb Topping:
- 4 Tbsp butter (cold and cubed)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice, apple pie spice, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and granulated sugar. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the apples to release some juice.
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Carefully cut each Grands! Cinnamon Roll Original in half horizontally. This will give you 10 thinner rolls. Set aside six of these rolls for the bottom crust and the remaining four for the top crust.
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Generously grease a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Take the six reserved cinnamon roll halves and press and flatten them into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Ensure the rolls are flattened into a thin, even layer that covers the entire base, pressing the edges together to form a seamless crust.
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Pour the prepared apple filling evenly into the cinnamon roll crust, spreading it out so the apples are in a uniform layer.
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Flatten the remaining four cinnamon roll halves into thin pieces. Arrange these pieces over the apple filling to form the top crust. It’s perfectly acceptable if there are some small gaps or holes; these will act as vents during baking. Gently press the edges of the top crust to seal them with the bottom crust.
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For the Dutch crumb topping, in a separate bowl, use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the cold, cubed butter into the brown sugar and all-purpose flour. Work the mixture until it resembles coarse, buttery crumbs. Sprinkle this topping generously and evenly over the top of the pie.
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Place a pie shield over the edges of the pie to prevent them from over-browning (alternatively, cover the edges with aluminum foil). Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown, the filling is bubbling, and the apples are tender when tested with a cake tester or toothpick. Remove the pie shield for the last 10-15 minutes if you desire a darker crust.
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Allow the pie to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and serving. If desired, drizzle the reserved Grands! Cinnamon Rolls Original icing over the warm pie. For an extra treat, serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Make sure to tag me on Instagram and leave a rating below and let me know how it turned out!
You can find all of these ingredients at your local Walmart, making it incredibly easy to gather everything you need for this sensational pie! For maximum convenience, remember to try out Walmart’s Online Grocery Store Pickup. It’s a fantastic service that lets you place your order online and pick up your groceries at a time that suits you, saving you valuable time and effort. Check out their store locator to find your local Walmart, and you can even check online to see where Grands! Cinnamon Rolls are located in your specific store for a quick trip.
Happy baking, and get ready to impress everyone with this unique and delicious Cinnamon Roll Dutch Apple Pie!
Here are some other delightful pie recipes you might enjoy!
Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie
Butterscotch Pecan Pie
German Chocolate Pecan Pie