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Apple Pie Bubble-Up Bake

There is something wonderfully comforting about the combination of warm apples, cinnamon, buttery pastry, and a sweet glaze. This Apple Pie Bubble-Up Bake brings all of those familiar flavors together in an easy casserole-style dessert. Instead of making a traditional pie crust from scratch, refrigerated biscuits are cut into pieces and baked with apple pie filling, creating soft, golden pieces of dough that “bubble up” around the apples as everything cooks.

It is an especially convenient dessert for busy days, holidays, family gatherings, or whenever you want something that tastes homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

What Makes This Apple Pie Bubble-Up Bake Special?

The appeal of this dessert is its simplicity. The apple filling becomes warm and syrupy in the oven, while the biscuit pieces rise and become golden on top. Cinnamon adds warmth throughout the dish, and a simple powdered-sugar glaze gives the finished bake a sweet, bakery-style touch.

You can serve it warm on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it even more indulgent.

Ingredients

For the Apple Bubble-Up Bake

2 cans (about 20 ounces each) apple pie filling
1 can (16 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

For the Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

You can adjust the amount of milk slightly depending on whether you prefer a thin drizzle or a thicker glaze.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Greasing the dish helps prevent the apple mixture and biscuit pieces from sticking while also making cleanup easier.

Set the prepared dish aside while you assemble the filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Biscuit Pieces

Open the refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the biscuits.

Cut each biscuit into approximately 6 to 8 smaller pieces. The pieces do not need to be perfectly uniform. Keeping them relatively similar in size simply helps them bake more evenly.

Place the biscuit pieces in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Add the Cinnamon Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Pour the melted butter and vanilla extract over the biscuit pieces. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over them and gently toss until the pieces are lightly coated.

Be careful not to crush the dough while mixing. A gentle toss is enough to distribute the butter and spices.

Step 4: Layer the Apple Filling

Spread the two cans of apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

If the apple slices are particularly large, you can gently cut them into smaller pieces with a knife or kitchen shears. This makes the dessert easier to scoop and ensures that you get apples in every serving.

For an extra nutty texture, sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple filling at this stage.

Step 5: Add the Biscuit Dough

Arrange the seasoned biscuit pieces evenly over the apple mixture.

Try not to pack them tightly together. Leaving small spaces between the pieces allows heat to circulate and gives the dough room to expand as it bakes.

Some of the apple filling will remain visible around the biscuit pieces, which is exactly what you want.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and the size of the biscuit pieces.

The dessert is ready when:

The apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
The biscuit pieces have expanded.
The tops are golden brown.
The centers of the biscuit pieces are fully cooked.

If the tops begin browning too quickly while the biscuit dough underneath still needs more time, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil and continue baking.

Avoid removing the dessert from the oven based solely on the color of the biscuits. Check a biscuit piece from the center of the dish to make sure the dough is no longer raw or doughy inside.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

While the bubble-up bake is finishing, prepare the glaze.

Add the powdered sugar to a small bowl. Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth.

For a thicker glaze, use slightly less milk. For a thinner drizzle, add a few additional drops of milk at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.

The glaze should be smooth enough to drizzle but thick enough to remain visible on the warm biscuit pieces.

Step 8: Let the Dessert Rest

Once the Apple Pie Bubble-Up Bake comes out of the oven, allow it to rest for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

This short resting period allows the apple filling to settle and thicken slightly. It also makes the dessert easier to serve without the filling immediately running across the plate.