Need a dessert in a hurry? This upside down apple cinnamon roll cake is not only quick and easy, but so delicious! And ready in about an hour!

Upside down apple cinnamon roll cake on a white cake plate set on a marble counter.

Move over pumpkin spice, I think it’s time apples had their moment! Every September I look forward to visiting our favourite local pick-your-own apple farm. They open from early September to mid October and it is always on my autumn bucket list!

In fact 12 years ago, one of my very firsts posts here at Red Cottage Chronicles was all about visiting apple orchards in Niagara.

Since then I have often posted delicious apple recipes made with apples we picked ourselves. My nana’s apple pie, which is made without cinnamon, is one of the most popular posts on the blog. This gluten free apple cake is another fall favourite.

A slice of upside down cinnamon cake on a white plate.

When I was looking through my mom’s recipe collection I found this recipe in a little booklet, with no cover and some of the pages ripped to shreds. Thankfully, this recipe was fully intact! It starts with fresh apples and refrigerated cinnamon rolls.

An apple cake in the background, with 2 individual slices in the foreground on white plates.

Not only does it have a layer of cinnamon caramelized apples, but it also has apples, cinnamon and pecans throughout. And, if that’s not enough, it is drizzled with a delicious frosting!

Ingredients For This Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake

Overhead view of ingredients for apple upside cake.

refrigerated ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls with frosting
chopped walnuts or pecans
butter
brown sugar (not pictured)
dark corn syrup

How to Make This Apple Upside Down Cake

Be sure to check out the full recipe and instructions in the printable recipe below!

Turn mixture into pie plate to cover apples

As the cake bakes, that yummy brown sugar sauce blends with the cinnamon from the rolls, and makes its’ way down to the apples on the bottom, creating the most delicious caramelized apple topping when the cake is turned upside down.

Overhead view of Cinnamon Roll Cake drizzled with frosting.

This turned out way better than I expected! Fluffy layers of cinnamon roll, cinnamon caramelized apples, chopped pecans and just enough frosting!

Substitution Ideas

use pecans, almonds or even cashews would be delicious, but choose any type of nut you prefer
or, don’t use any nuts at all and add in chocolate chips, raisins or dried cranberries if you like
I couldn’t find a package of 8 cinnamon rolls, so used the 5 pack of large ones and cut each into 6 pieces
add a little cinnamon or maple syrup to the frosting

The ultimate autumn dessert in my opinion! Imagine coming home from a day out enjoying fall activities, and enjoying a slice of this yummy apple cinnamon roll cake with a hot cup of tea or this easy ultimate hot chocolate! That is my kind of day!

You might also want to try this recipe for quick and easy cinnamon rolls made without yeast or egg! A great recipe for weekend brunch.

Upside Down Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake

Name: Upside Down Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 58 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 cups chopped peeled apples, divided; 1 can of 8 refrigerated cinnamon rolls with frosting; 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts; 2 tablespoons butter, melted + more for greasing pan; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 58 minutes

This yummy upside down apple cinnamon roll cake is so easy to make. It starts with fresh apples and refrigerated cinnamon rolls that results in a delicious cake with a layer of caramelized apples on top of flaky cinnamon roll pastry!

Ingredients

2 cups chopped peeled apples, divided
1 can of 8 refrigerated cinnamon rolls with frosting
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 tablespoons butter, melted + more for greasing pan
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly butter a 9 inch glass pie plate or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange 1 1/2 cups of the diced apples in the bottom of prepared pie plate.
Cut each of the 8 cinnamon rolls into quarters and place in a mixing bowl; add remaining 1/2 cup of apples and the chopped nuts; gently toss together with your hands.
In a small bowl combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup and whisk until well combined and smooth. Pour over cinnamon roll mixture and gently toss until fully coated.
Spoon dough over the apples in the plate plate, to cover apples fully.
Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before placing a serving plate over top, and carefuly turning the pie plate upside down to release the cake onto the plate. Careful, it will be very hot!
Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes, then microwave the frosting for about 10 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle over top of the cake. Best served warm!