10 Desserts to Make With Apple Pie Filling

There’s something wonderfully unfair about apple pie filling. It starts out as a shortcut, but give it a little pastry, cake, cheesecake, or ice cream, and suddenly it tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.

That’s the secret to these desserts. A can of apple pie filling can be the starting point for flaky turnovers, gooey blondies, buttery crumble bars, and even an impressive dessert centerpiece.

Whether you have a can waiting in the pantry or a batch of homemade filling left over from another recipe, these 10 ideas make it easy to turn those cinnamon-spiced apples into something worth sharing. Some are ready in minutes, while others are perfect when you want a dessert that gets everyone reaching for seconds.

Apple Pie Filling Cinnamon Roll Casserole

When cinnamon rolls and apple pie get together, the result is a warm, gooey casserole that feels made for a lazy weekend morning. It works equally well as a brunch treat or a comforting dessert, especially when served warm with extra icing.

The best part is that you don’t need to make cinnamon rolls from scratch. Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough keeps this recipe wonderfully simple.

What you’ll need

• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
• 1 can apple pie filling
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut the cinnamon rolls into bite-size pieces, reserving the icing.
3. Spread about half of the cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish.
4. Spoon the apple pie filling over the top. For easier serving, roughly chop the larger apple pieces first.
5. Add the remaining cinnamon roll pieces.
6. Stir the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together, then drizzle over the casserole.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed and golden and the apple filling is bubbling.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes before drizzling generously with the reserved icing.

For an especially cozy finish, add a sprinkle of chopped pecans before baking.

Apple Pie Filling Cheesecake Cups

Individual cheesecake cups have a way of making a simple dessert feel party-ready. These little treats combine a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, and spoonfuls of warm apple pie filling.

They’re also easier to serve than a full cheesecake, since everyone gets a perfectly portioned dessert.

What you’ll need

• 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can apple pie filling

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until evenly moistened.
3. Divide the mixture among the liners and press it firmly into the bottoms.
4. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
5. Divide the cheesecake mixture among the cups.
6. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the centers are just set.
7. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
8. Warm the apple pie filling gently in a saucepan or microwave and spoon it over each cheesecake cup just before serving.

A drizzle of caramel sauce turns these into miniature caramel apple cheesecakes.

Easy Apple Pie Filling Turnovers

Few things look more impressive than golden puff pastry wrapped around cinnamon-spiced apples. Fortunately, these turnovers are far easier to make than they appear.

Store-bought puff pastry does most of the work, while apple pie filling provides the sweet, warmly spiced center.

What you’ll need

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 can apple pie filling
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• Powdered sugar or vanilla glaze

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the puff pastry into four equal squares.
3. Chop the apples in the filling into smaller pieces if necessary.
4. Place a few spoonfuls of filling in the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around the edges.
5. Fold each square diagonally to make a triangle. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal.
6. Whisk the egg with the water and brush it over the turnovers.
7. Cut a small slit in the top of each one to allow steam to escape.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until puffed and deeply golden.
9. Cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with vanilla glaze.

For the prettiest presentation, serve them while still slightly warm and let one turnover break open to reveal the apple-filled center.

Apple Pie Filling Dump Cake

If you’re looking for the easiest dessert on this list, this is it. There’s no complicated batter to mix and no pastry to roll. Just layer the ingredients, pop the dish in the oven, and let the top become crisp and buttery while the apples bubble underneath.

What you’ll need

• 2 cans apple pie filling
• 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
• ¾ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom.
3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the apples. Don’t stir.
4. Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as possible over the cake mix.
5. Sprinkle with pecans and cinnamon.
6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is practically mandatory here. The contrast between the hot apple filling, crisp topping, and cold ice cream is hard to beat.

Apple Pie Filling Cookie Cups

Think of these as tiny apple pies with a soft sugar-cookie crust. They’re cute enough for parties, easy enough for casual baking, and small enough that nobody has to commit to a giant slice of dessert.

What you’ll need

• 1 package refrigerated sugar-cookie dough
• 1 can apple pie filling
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream, optional

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a muffin pan.
2. Divide the cookie dough into 12 portions.
3. Press each portion into a muffin cup, working the dough up the sides to create a shallow cup.
4. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
5. While the cookies are still warm, gently press down the centers with the back of a spoon if they have puffed up.
6. Cool completely before carefully removing the cookie cups.
7. Fill each cup with apple pie filling.
8. Finish with caramel sauce and, if desired, a small dollop of whipped cream.

Don’t worry if the cookie cups aren’t perfectly uniform. Their homemade look is part of the charm.

Caramel Apple Pie Filling Blondies

Chewy blondies are already rich and buttery. Add cinnamon-spiced apples and a ribbon of caramel, and you’ve got a dessert that tastes like a cross between an apple pie and a brown-sugar cookie.

The trick is to chop the apple pieces fairly small so you get apple in every bite without making the blondies difficult to cut.

What you’ll need

• ½ cup butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup apple pie filling, with the apples roughly chopped
• Caramel sauce

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar together.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in the flour and baking powder just until combined.
5. Spread about two-thirds of the batter into the prepared pan.
6. Scatter the chopped apple pie filling over the batter.
7. Drop the remaining batter over the apples and gently spread it into an uneven layer.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set.
9. Cool completely before slicing.
10. Drizzle with caramel just before serving.

For extra texture, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the top before baking.

Apple Pie Filling French Toast Bake

This dessert sits comfortably between bread pudding and French toast, with cubes of soft bread soaking up a sweet custard and pockets of cinnamon apples throughout.

It’s particularly good for entertaining because you can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.

What you’ll need

• 1 loaf brioche or French bread, cut into cubes
• 1 can apple pie filling
• 6 large eggs
• 1½ cups milk
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to make it

1. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange half of the bread cubes in the dish.
3. Spoon half of the apple pie filling over the bread.
4. Repeat with the remaining bread and apple filling.
5. Whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
6. Pour the custard evenly over the bread.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
8. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, until puffed and golden.
9. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Dust it with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup for an extra-indulgent finish.

Apple Pie Filling Crumble Bars

These bars take the best part of an apple crumble and make it portable. A buttery oat mixture forms the base and topping, while apple pie filling creates a soft, cinnamon-spiced middle.

They’re an excellent choice when you need a dessert that can be made ahead and sliced into neat portions.

What you’ll need

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 can apple pie filling

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon until crumbly.
3. Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.
4. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the crust.
5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the apples.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
7. Cool completely before lifting the bars from the pan and slicing.

For cleanest cuts, refrigerate the cooled bars for about 30 minutes before slicing.

Apple Pie Filling Ice Cream Sundae

Not every great dessert needs the oven. This one comes together in minutes and is an especially good choice when you want something sweet without committing to a baking project.

Warm apple pie filling, cold vanilla ice cream, crunchy crumble, and caramel make every spoonful taste like a deconstructed apple pie.

What you’ll need

• Vanilla ice cream
• 1 can apple pie filling
• Crushed graham crackers, granola, or cookie crumbs
• Caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Chopped pecans

How to make it

1. Warm the apple pie filling gently in a saucepan or microwave.
2. Add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream to each serving glass or bowl.
3. Spoon warm apple filling over the ice cream.
4. Add a layer of crunchy crumbs.
5. Repeat with another scoop of ice cream and more apples.
6. Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and chopped pecans.

For a dinner-party presentation, serve these in clear glasses so the layers are visible.

Apple Pie Filling Crescent Roll Ring

Save this one for when you want to bring a little drama to the dessert table. Crescent-roll dough is arranged into a ring, filled with cinnamon apples, baked until golden, and finished with a simple vanilla glaze.

It looks elaborate, but the technique is surprisingly approachable.

What you’ll need

• 2 cans refrigerated crescent-roll dough
• 1 can apple pie filling
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped pecans, optional

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Separate the crescent dough into triangles.
3. Arrange the triangles in a circle on the baking sheet, with the wide ends overlapping toward the center and the points facing outward.
4. Spoon the apple pie filling around the wide portion of the dough.
5. Fold the pointed ends inward and over the filling, tucking them underneath the inner edge to create a ring.
6. Brush the dough with beaten egg.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
8. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together to make a glaze.
9. Let the ring cool for several minutes, then drizzle with the glaze.
10. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.

Bring the whole ring to the table before slicing it into wedges. It’s the kind of dessert that makes an ordinary weeknight feel like a special occasion.

The Best Apple Pie Filling Dessert for Every Craving

Apple pie filling doesn’t have to be reserved for pie. It can become the gooey center of a cheesecake, the filling for flaky pastry, a shortcut to a bubbling cake, or the finishing touch on a bowl of ice cream.

If you want the easiest option, make the dump cake. For something bakery-worthy, go with the turnovers. If you’re feeding a crowd, the cinnamon roll casserole or French toast bake are excellent choices. And when presentation matters, the crescent roll ring is the showstopper.

The next time you find a can of apple pie filling in the pantry, don’t automatically reach for a pie crust. There are plenty of delicious directions to take those cinnamon-spiced apples—and every one of them is a little easier than starting from scratch.