When you need an easy Thanksgiving dessert that feels cozy, budget-friendly, and a little unexpected, this simple tortilla bake is such a nice one to keep in your back pocket. It turns a handful of basic pantry ingredients into a warm, sweet treat with layers that bake up tender in the middle and lightly crisp around the edges, almost like a cross between a cobbler and a rustic bread pudding. Using raw flour tortillas makes it especially convenient for busy holiday cooking, since there is very little prep and it fits right into the oven alongside the rest of dinner.
This dessert is especially good served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. For a Thanksgiving table, I like to pair it with hot coffee, spiced tea, or a mug of apple cider, and if you want to dress it up a bit more, a light sprinkle of chopped pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce makes it feel extra special next to the classic pies.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Thanksgiving Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
6 raw uncooked flour tortillas
1 can apple pie filling, about 21 ounces
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a metal roasting pan or similar oven-safe baking pan.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
3. Place 2 raw tortillas in the bottom of the roasting pan, overlapping as needed. Spoon over about one-third of the apple pie filling, drizzle with a little melted butter, and sprinkle with some of the cinnamon sugar.
4. Repeat the layers two more times with the remaining tortillas, apple filling, melted butter, and cinnamon sugar, finishing with cinnamon sugar on top.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before scooping and serving.
Variations & Tips
Nutty topping: If your family likes a little crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. It gives this soft dessert a nice contrast and makes it feel even more holiday-ready.
Picky-eater version: For kids or anyone who prefers a smoother filling, chop the apple slices from the pie filling into smaller pieces before layering. That helps every bite stay neat and easy to scoop.
Extra cozy flavor: A pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice can be added with the cinnamon for a warmer Thanksgiving flavor. It is a small touch, but it really rounds everything out if you already have those spices on hand.
Serving tip: This dessert is best served warm, after it has rested just enough to set slightly. If you want cleaner portions, let it cool a bit longer, but for the coziest spoonful, serve it while the apples are still nice and warm.