Name: Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 apples, peeled and cut into ¾ inch pieces; ¾ cup sugar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1¼ tsp cinnamon; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 8 jumbo refrigerated biscuits; ½ cup brown sugar; 1 tbsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ½ cup butter, melted; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tbsp softened butter; 3-4 tbsp cream or half-n-half; vanilla ice cream (for serving á la mode)

Jump to Recipe

Picture this: the warm, cozy scent of cinnamon and baked apples swirling through your kitchen as golden biscuit edges peek out from a buttery skillet. The moment you break through the crisp exterior, you’re greeted by tender, juicy apple pieces nestled in cinnamon sugar goodness—a divine, nostalgic treat that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. This Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe elevates simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert that’s both irresistible and surprisingly easy to pull off. Whether it’s a family gathering or a quiet evening indulgence, get ready to impress and delight with every luscious bite.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 50 minutes from start to finish, perfect when you want a homemade dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh apples, making it accessible and wallet-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
Perfect for Gathering: Serves 8, making it an ideal choice for sharing with friends and family around the table.
Impressive Presentation: Beautifully baked in a cast iron skillet with golden biscuits and bubbling apple filling, it’s a feast for the eyes and palate alike.
Customizable: Easily tailored by swapping apples or adjusting spices, plus the option to serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch.

Why This Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe Works

This recipe shines because it masterfully combines textures and flavors for a delightful experience. The jumbo refrigerated biscuits create a flaky, buttery base that soaks up just enough apple-y goodness without getting soggy. Cooking the apple filling gently in sugar and cornstarch thickens the juices beautifully, resulting in a glossy, tender, cinnamon-spiced topping. The use of melted butter and cinnamon sugar layered on and around the biscuits creates a sweet, caramelized crust that contrasts perfectly with the soft apples. Baking everything together in a cast iron skillet ensures even heat distribution and a rustic, homey finish that’s as charming as it is delicious.

Large black cast iron skillet filled with golden-brown cinnamon apple pancakes topped with a generous drizzle of creamy glaze and chunky cinnamon-spiced apple pieces, the entire dish presented in the skillet showing all six pancakes arranged closely together, set against a white marble background with natural light highlighting the warm tones of the food, professional food styling, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These straightforward ingredients come together harmoniously to create a comforting and flavorful dessert that feels both classic and cozy.

Jumbo refrigerated biscuits (8): The buttery, flaky base that bakes up golden and tender.
Apples (4, peeled and cut into ¾-inch pieces): The star fruit that adds natural sweetness and a fresh, juicy bite.
Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the apple filling, balancing its tartness.
Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Adds brightness and helps preserve the apples’ color and zing.
Cinnamon (1¼ tsp and 1 tbsp): Provides warm, aromatic spice essential to apple desserts.
Cornstarch (3 tbsp): Thickens the apple sauce to a luscious, pudding-like texture.
Brown sugar (½ cup): Infuses a rich caramel note to the biscuit coating.
Nutmeg (¼ tsp): Adds subtle warmth and complexity to the spice mix.
Butter (½ cup melted + 1 tbsp softened): Brings richness and helps create the crispy crust and smooth icing.
Powdered sugar (½ cup): For the sweet drizzle that finishes the dessert with a silky touch.
Cream (3-4 tbsp): Loosens the icing to the perfect consistency for drizzling.
Vanilla ice cream (optional): The perfect cooling counterpart when serving á la mode.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

Jumbo biscuits: Feel free to use homemade biscuit dough if you prefer fresh, but refrigerated biscuits are a huge time-saver.
Apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work beautifully; just choose firm apples for the best texture.
Cream: Half-and-half or even whole milk can substitute if you don’t have cream on hand, though the icing will be slightly thinner.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best for controlling saltiness, but salted can work in a pinch; just reduce added salt elsewhere.

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Use a sharp knife to cut apples evenly: Uniform pieces ensure even cooking and a balanced bite.
Don’t skimp on the butter: It’s key for that golden crust and luscious flavor.
Coat each biscuit thoroughly: The cinnamon sugar layer caramelizes beautifully, so be generous with the coating.
Let the biscuits cool slightly before icing: This prevents the icing from melting away too quickly, keeping the drizzle pretty and delicious.
Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream: The contrast of warm biscuits and cold ice cream is pure magic.

How to Make Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Apples

Start by mixing sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Add the peeled, chopped apples and lemon juice, then stir everything together gently. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. This slow simmer lets the apples soften and release their natural juices, while the cornstarch thickens it into a luscious cinnamon-spiced compote.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t rush this step; a gentle simmer is key to tender apples without turning mushy.

Step 2: Prep Your Skillet and Biscuit Coating

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Melt the butter while the apples cook. Spray your 12-inch cast iron skillet with non-stick spray, then spoon a couple tablespoons of melted butter into the bottom. Swirl it around to coat evenly—this buttery base will help create that irresistible crust.

💡 Pro Tip: Using a cast iron skillet enhances heat retention and adds rustic charm to your dessert.

Step 3: Coat the Biscuits

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the biscuit coating. One by one, dip each biscuit into the remaining melted butter and let the excess drip off. Then, roll each biscuit in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated on both sides. This step creates a sweet, spiced caramelized shell once baked.

💡 Pro Tip: Press the biscuits lightly into the sugar mixture for an extra thick coating.

Step 4: Arrange and Top

Place the coated biscuits evenly around the skillet. Spoon the warm apple mixture with its syrupy juices over the top, aiming to get as many apple chunks as possible perched on each biscuit. Pour any remaining melted butter over everything, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mix for a final flourish before baking.

💡 Pro Tip: Try not to overcrowd the apples so they don’t slip off during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the skillet for 30 to 35 minutes at 375°F. Keep an eye on the biscuits; the dessert is done when the middle biscuit is moist but no longer doughy. It should have a lovely golden color and a beautiful crust on top.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a toothpick to test the center biscuit; it should come out with minimal moist crumbs.

Step 6: Prepare the Icing and Serve

While the dessert cools for about 10 minutes, mix softened butter, powdered sugar, and cream until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this icing over the warm biscuits and apples. Serve as is, or for a showstopper, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that perfect melting contrast.

💡 Pro Tip: The icing adds a silky sweetness that balances the tartness of the apples beautifully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls:

Under-cooking the apples: Can result in a hard, unpleasant texture instead of tender softness.
Skipping the cinnamon sugar coating: This step creates the caramelized crust that makes this dessert special.
Overcrowding the skillet: Crowding prevents even cooking and can cause the apples to steam rather than bake.
Baking at the wrong temperature: Too hot or too cool can cause uneven cooking or burning of edges.
Adding icing too soon: Drizzling when too hot melts the icing away and loses that pretty drizzle effect.
Using very soft or mealy apples: They may completely fall apart or not hold their shape during baking.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe, here are some tasty twists to explore:

Spiced Pear and Apple Mix

Swap half the apples for ripe pears for a subtle floral sweetness and tender texture that compliments cinnamon beautifully.

Maple Drizzle Finish

Replace the powdered sugar icing with pure maple syrup drizzled warm over the biscuits just before serving for a rich, autumnal flavor.

Caramel Pecan Crunch

Top the finished biscuits with toasted pecans and a drizzle of store-bought or homemade caramel sauce for added crunch and decadence.

Orange Zest and Cardamom

Add a teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest and a pinch of ground cardamom to your apple filling for a fragrant twist with bright citrus notes.

Vegan Version

Use plant-based butter and coconut cream in the icing to enjoy this Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe without dairy, maintaining the full flavor.

How to Serve Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe

Single white plate presenting one serving of sticky cinnamon pull-apart bread, close-up angled shot showing soft, golden brown dough pieces layered and coated with a shiny cinnamon sugar glaze, drizzled generously with creamy white icing revealing the tender interior texture, placed on a white marble surface with natural lighting, styled like a food blog individual serving photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts, or a few fresh apple slices add beautiful finishing touches and subtle crunch.

Side Dishes

Pair alongside a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a hot cup of chai or black coffee for a complete indulgent experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve directly from the cast iron skillet for rustic charm or portion into pretty dessert plates, drizzling extra icing or syrup artfully. For gatherings, include small bowls of ice cream or caramel sauce on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any uneaten dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as delicious.

Freezing

This dessert freezes best before baking—arrange and coat the biscuits in the skillet, cover tightly, and freeze. To bake later, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and proceed with the baking step.

Reheating

Warm leftovers gently in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving to preserve the biscuit’s crisp edge and avoid sogginess.

FAQs

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerated?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough will work wonderfully, adding a personal touch. Just ensure pieces are similar in size for even baking.

What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp are ideal. They hold their shape and provide a nice balance of tart and sweet flavors.

Can I make this dessert vegan?

Yes! Substitute butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil and use plant-based cream alternatives for the icing to keep it vegan-friendly.

Is it okay to prepare some parts ahead of time?

You can cook the apples a day ahead and store them refrigerated. Assemble and bake when ready for optimal freshness.

How do I know when the biscuits are fully baked?

Check that the central biscuit is no longer doughy and has a moist but cooked appearance. A toothpick test is also helpful.

Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Yes! Adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts between the biscuits or on top adds a delightful crunch.

What should I serve this dessert with?

Serve it warm, with or without vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Can I make this dessert gluten-free?

Only if you use gluten-free biscuits or substitute with a gluten-free biscuit recipe. The apple filling itself is naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about gathering around a skillet bubbling with soft apples and golden biscuits kissed by cinnamon and butter. This Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe reminds me of cozy family evenings, the joy of simple ingredients transformed into something magical, and the smiles shared over that first, dreamy bite. It’s the kind of dessert that’s both nostalgic and exciting, perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without stress.

Have you tried this Skillet Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 🍎🥧