Name: Apple Pie Bubble Up
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 can (12 oz) refrigerated biscuits (e.g., Grands! Jr, 10 count) (If using larger 16oz cans, cut biscuits into smaller pieces.); 1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling; 1 cup butterscotch chips; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup powdered sugar (For the glaze); 1 Tbsp milk (For the glaze)

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There’s a special kind of magic that happens in the kitchen when classic comfort food meets effortless preparation. Think back to those cherished memories of church potlucks, family gatherings, or a cozy evening at home with a warm, inviting dessert. That’s the feeling we’re channeling with our incredible Apple Pie Bubble Up recipe.

What exactly is a “Bubble Up”? It’s a delightful bake where pieces of canned biscuit dough are coated in a luscious sauce, then baked until they puff up, creating a pull-apart texture reminiscent of monkey bread or a deconstructed cobbler. This version elevates the experience with the familiar, comforting flavors of apple pie, all bubbling together in one glorious dish. The best part? This quick warm apple dessert is ready to impress in just about 30 minutes of active prep and baking time, utilizing only 6 core ingredients. Say goodbye to complicated pastry work and hello to pure, unadulterated bliss!

Why This Recipe Works

This isn’t just another easy apple biscuit bake; it’s a triumph of texture and flavor, designed for maximum impact with minimal effort. Here’s why the Apple Pie Bubble Up will become your new go-to:

Irresistible Texture Contrast: Imagine sinking your fork into flaky, tender, golden-brown biscuit pieces that have absorbed all the sweet, spiced apple goodness. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the soft, pillowy dough and the gooey, fruit-filled interior. It’s the perfect harmony that makes this apple bubble up casserole so utterly satisfying.
The Secret Ingredient: Butterscotch Chips: While many canned biscuit apple dessert recipes simply use apple pie filling, we’re taking it up a notch. The addition of butterscotch chips is a game-changer! As they melt, they create a rich, caramel-like sauce that infuses every crevice of the dish. This secret ingredient adds a depth of flavor and a luxurious sweetness that makes this butterscotch apple dessert truly superior to standard apple dumps. It’s a subtle yet significant upgrade you won’t want to skip.
Unbeatable Simplicity: Forget about peeling apples, rolling out dough, or spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe embraces the beauty of convenience. By starting with refrigerated biscuits and canned apple pie filling, you eliminate the most time-consuming steps, allowing you to whip up a gourmet-tasting dessert in a fraction of the time. It’s a true bubble up cobbler in terms of ease!

“The Apple Pie Bubble Up is a masterclass in easy, comforting desserts. The butterscotch chips truly elevate it from good to absolutely unforgettable!”

Ingredients Needed

One of the beauties of this Apple Pie Bubble Up is its short and sweet ingredient list. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the ultimate warm apple dessert.

Refrigerated Biscuits: The foundation of our bubble up! We highly recommend using Grands! Jr. Flaky Layers Biscuits (the smaller, 8-count cans). These smaller biscuits result in more individual “pull-apart” pieces and a better biscuit-to-filling ratio, ensuring every piece is coated and cooked through. If you can only find standard Grands, simply cut them into smaller, eighth-sized pieces. The flaky layers are key for that tender, airy texture. This is what makes it a true Grands biscuit dessert!
Apple Pie Filling: This is where the apple magic comes from. Opt for a high-quality canned apple pie filling. Look for brands that feature real, discernible apple slices rather than just a gel-like consistency. Some brands even offer “country style” or “extra fruit” varieties, which are perfect for a more robust apple flavor and texture. This ingredient is central to many fantastic apple pie filling recipes.
Butterscotch Chips: Our aforementioned secret weapon! These melt down to create a warm, gooey, caramel-like sauce that perfectly complements the apples and biscuits. Their distinct flavor profile adds a layer of richness that transforms this simple bake into a truly special butterscotch apple dessert.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices are non-negotiable for that authentic apple pie aroma and taste. They mingle beautifully with the apple and butterscotch, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Powdered Sugar & Milk: The Glaze: A simple drizzle of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) mixed with a splash of milk (or cream) creates a quick, elegant glaze that adds an extra touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish to your baked Apple Pie Bubble Up. A good starting ratio is 1 cup powdered sugar to 2 tablespoons milk, adjusting for desired consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to create your own irresistible Apple Pie Bubble Up? Follow these simple steps for a dessert that’s guaranteed to be a hit!

1. Prep and Mix

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a 9×9 inch if using fewer biscuits) with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuits. On a clean cutting board, cut each biscuit into quarters. If you’re using larger Grands biscuits, cut them into eighths to ensure smaller, more manageable pieces that will cook evenly and absorb more of the delicious sauce.
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the canned apple pie filling, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until the spices are well incorporated into the filling.
Now, carefully fold in the butterscotch chips. We want them evenly distributed throughout the apple mixture.

2. The Fold

Add the cut biscuit pieces to the bowl with the apple pie filling and butterscotch mixture.
Using a spatula or your hands, gently fold the biscuit pieces into the apple mixture. The goal is to coat each biscuit piece as evenly as possible with the delicious apple and butterscotch sauce. This step is crucial to prevent any dry spots and ensure maximum flavor in every bite of your apple bubble up casserole.
Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.

3. Baking to Perfection

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges. The biscuits should be puffed up and cooked through. If the top starts browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Once baked, remove the Apple Pie Bubble Up from the oven. Let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the sauce to thicken slightly and prevents it from being too runny, ensuring all those wonderful flavors meld beautifully.
While the dessert rests, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (and a splash of vanilla extract, if desired) to create your glaze. Drizzle generously over the warm apple bubble up before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Apple Pie Bubble Up

Even though this is an easy apple biscuit bake, a few expert tips can elevate your Apple Pie Bubble Up from great to absolutely phenomenal:

Avoid Sogginess – Bake Thoroughly: The biggest pitfall with any biscuit bake is underbaking, which can lead to a doughy, soggy bottom. Ensure the biscuits are fully cooked by looking for a deep golden-brown top and bubbly edges. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to allow the inside to catch up without burning the surface. A peek at the bottom biscuits (carefully done with a spoon) should reveal golden-brown deliciousness, not pale dough.
Chop the Apples for Better Distribution: While canned apple pie filling is convenient, sometimes the apple slices can be quite large. For a more even distribution of apple flavor in every bite, and easier serving, consider giving the apple slices a quick chop into smaller, bite-sized pieces before mixing them with the biscuits. This small extra step makes a big difference in the overall texture and eating experience of your apple bubble up casserole.
Serving Suggestions: Best Served Warm: This quick warm apple dessert is absolutely at its peak straight from the oven (after a short resting period, of course!). The warm, gooey apples and melted butterscotch sauce are simply divine. Elevate the experience even further by serving it with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a dusting of extra cinnamon. It’s the ultimate comfort food experience!

Variations to Try

The beauty of the Apple Pie Bubble Up is its versatility! Once you’ve mastered the classic, don’t be afraid to experiment with these delicious twists:

Caramel Apple Delight: For a truly decadent treat, swap out the butterscotch chips for an equal amount of caramel bits (like Kraft baking caramels, often found in the baking aisle). After baking, drizzle your warm apple bubble up with a generous amount of store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce. This variation creates an exquisite caramel apple dessert that’s hard to resist.
Nutty Crunch: Add some textural contrast by folding in about ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts along with the butterscotch chips. The nuts will toast lightly in the oven, adding a delightful crunch and a rich, earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the apples and butterscotch. This is an easy way to elevate your apple monkey bread experience!
Cinnamon Roll Swap: For an extra level of sweetness and gooeyness, try using canned cinnamon rolls instead of plain biscuits. Simply cut each cinnamon roll into quarters and proceed with the recipe. You can even omit the powdered sugar glaze at the end and instead use the cream cheese frosting that comes with the cinnamon rolls for an incredibly rich and sweet bubble up cobbler. This variation is pure indulgence!

Storage and Reheating

While the Apple Pie Bubble Up is best enjoyed fresh and warm, leftovers are still a treat!

Fridge: Store any leftover apple bubble up casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure it’s completely cooled before covering and chilling.
Reheating:
- Microwave Method: For a quick reheat, place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. The biscuits might be a bit softer, but still delicious.
- Oven Method: To bring back some of that delicious crispy-tender texture, reheat the entire dish or larger portions in the oven. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and the biscuits are fluffy again.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about making the perfect Apple Pie Bubble Up, designed to help you master this delightful dessert:

Can I use homemade pie filling?
Yes, absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade apple pie filling recipe, you can certainly use it. Just ensure your homemade filling is thick enough and not overly watery, as too much liquid could make the dish soggy. Reduce the liquid content slightly if necessary, or add a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken it.
What if I can’t find “Grands! Jr” biscuits?
No problem at all! If you can only find regular-sized canned biscuits (like standard Grands), simply cut each biscuit into smaller, eighth-sized pieces. This will ensure they cook evenly and you get plenty of those delicious pull-apart morsels. You might need to adjust baking time slightly, keeping an eye on it to ensure they are cooked through.
Can I make this ahead of time?
For the best texture, it’s recommended to assemble and bake the Apple Pie Bubble Up just before you plan to serve it. The biscuits tend to get a bit soft if left to sit uncooked in the wet mixture for too long. However, you can prep some components in advance: cut your biscuits and chop any large apple pieces from the filling a day ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Then, simply combine and bake when ready!

Conclusion

The Apple Pie Bubble Up is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. It’s the warmth of home, the joy of a simple pleasure, and the satisfaction of creating something incredibly delicious with minimal fuss. Whether you’re craving a taste of nostalgia, need a quick fix for a potluck, or just want to treat yourself to an easy apple biscuit bake, this recipe delivers on every front. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and bake up a batch of this phenomenal apple bubble up casserole. Your taste buds (and your family!) will thank you.

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