Apple Bubble Up Casserole – The Coziest Fall Dessert You’ll Ever Make
When the weather cools and the air fills with the scent of cinnamon and apples, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a bubbling, golden-brown dessert straight from the oven. Apple Bubble Up Casserole is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. It’s sweet, buttery, and bursting with tender apples and fluffy biscuit pieces that “bubble up” through a rich, spiced filling as it bakes.
If you love quick and easy desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, this recipe is about to become your new fall favorite. Whether you’re planning a cozy family breakfast, a Thanksgiving dessert, or just want a comforting treat after dinner, this Apple Bubble Up Casserole delivers flavor, nostalgia, and simplicity in every spoonful.
🍎 What Is Apple Bubble Up Casserole?
“Bubble Up” casseroles get their name from the way biscuit dough rises and “bubbles up” through the other ingredients as they bake. Traditionally, these casseroles are savory — think pizza or chicken pot pie bubble ups. But this dessert version takes the same easy concept and transforms it into something sweet and irresistible.
The base of this dish starts with refrigerated biscuit dough, which makes the recipe incredibly convenient. Combined with warm apple pie filling, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter, the biscuits puff up while absorbing all that spiced apple goodness. The result? A caramelized, gooey, pull-apart dessert that’s part cobbler, part bread pudding, and entirely delicious.
🍏 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make your own Apple Bubble Up Casserole at home. Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, making it a perfect last-minute dessert.
– 2 cans (16 oz total) refrigerated biscuits, cut into quarters
– 2 cans (21 oz each) apple pie filling
– ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
– 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
– Optional toppings: caramel drizzle, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat and prepare the pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Mix your apple filling base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the apple pie filling, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is evenly coated and aromatic.
3. Add the biscuit pieces
Cut each biscuit into four pieces and gently fold them into the apple mixture. Be sure each piece of dough is coated in the buttery cinnamon apple sauce.
4. Transfer to baking dish
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. It might look a little crowded — that’s okay! The biscuits will puff up and create beautiful layers.
5. Bake until golden and bubbly
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the biscuits are fully cooked and golden brown on top. The edges should be caramelized, and the filling should be bubbling up between the biscuit pieces.
6. Cool slightly before serving
Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the filling thicken and makes it easier to scoop.
7. Serve warm
Serve warm with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Apple Bubble Up Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine apple pie filling, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Cut biscuits into quarters and fold them into the apple mixture until coated.
- Pour into prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until biscuits are golden and filling is bubbling.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Top with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Notes
🍮 Tips for the Best Apple Bubble Up Casserole
Use refrigerated biscuits, not homemade.
While homemade biscuits are delicious, the refrigerated kind gives the best texture for a bubble-up — soft and fluffy with the right amount of chew.
Add extra spice.
If you love bold fall flavors, add a dash of ground cloves or allspice to the filling. It makes the casserole taste like a cozy apple pie.
Make it caramel-style.
Mix a few tablespoons of caramel sauce into the filling before baking for an extra gooey, rich layer of flavor.
Don’t skip cooling time.
Letting it rest before serving prevents the filling from being too runny and helps everything set beautifully.
🍯 Variations to Try
Apple-Pecan Bubble Up:
Sprinkle chopped pecans between layers of dough for a crunchy twist.
Salted Caramel Apple Bubble Up:
Drizzle salted caramel sauce on top before baking for a sweet-salty flavor bomb.
Apple-Cranberry Bubble Up:
Fold in ½ cup dried cranberries for a tangy note that balances the sweetness.
Breakfast Bubble Up:
Top it with a dusting of powdered sugar and serve alongside scrambled eggs for a weekend brunch treat.
🕒 Make Ahead & Storage
This casserole is best served warm, straight out of the oven, but you can easily make it ahead.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 12 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or reheat the whole dish in a 300°F oven until heated through.
🧁 Serving Suggestions
Serve your Apple Bubble Up Casserole with:
- A drizzle of warm caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Fresh apple slices and cinnamon whipped cream
- A cup of hot cider, coffee, or chai latte for the ultimate fall pairing
This dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or lazy Sunday mornings when you crave something warm and sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
🍂 Fun Fact: The “Bubble Up” Legacy
The original “Bubble Up” casseroles date back to the mid-20th century, when convenience ingredients like canned biscuits and pie filling became pantry staples. Home cooks began experimenting with these shortcuts to create fast, comforting dishes that felt homemade. Over time, the trend evolved — and now we see “bubble ups” in savory dinners and creative desserts alike.
Apple Bubble Up Casserole captures that same spirit of simplicity and comfort, blending nostalgia with modern ease.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy: Minimal prep, no special tools, and ready in under an hour.
- Comforting: Warm apples, buttery biscuits, and rich caramel notes.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone from kids to grandparents loves it.
- Customizable: Simple to adjust with nuts, fruit, or toppings.
🍏 Conclusion
If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like Apple Bubble Up Casserole. This gooey, golden dessert brings together everything you love about apple pie — but in half the time. It’s the kind of dish that turns a simple evening into something special, where the scent of baked apples and cinnamon fills your kitchen and every bite tastes like home.
Make it once, and you’ll understand why it’s become a FoodieMoms favorite. Whether it’s for brunch, dessert, or a festive gathering, this casserole is pure comfort in every spoonful.
