Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls + a DIY Pie Tote

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheJoyOfPie #CollectiveBias

Whether or not you’re a baker, you can easily share the joy of pie during the holiday season. Marie Callender’s® Dessert Pies are great options for getting your desserts prepared in a flash, for holiday parties, to give as a yummy hostess gift or to pass at an office potluck. When you have leftover pie, turn the delicious filling into a recipe for Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, perfect for Christmas Morning. 

The holiday season is often a time of year that some of us call “the giving season,” not only for gift-giving to friends and loved ones, but for paying forward random acts of kindness to anyone who might need it. For many people, baked goods around the holidays bring a little bit of comfort and joy. Our favorite treats remind us of home and of holiday memories, regardless of what holiday we celebrate.

To me, the dessert that stands out as synonymous with holidays is pie.

 

When it comes to pie, I can think of two likely scenarios for you. First: you’re toting your pie to a party and you want to make it stand out from the sea of white bakery boxes. Second: you serve your pie at a party, but so many people had the same idea as you and brought pies, that you have more leftover pie than you could ever dream of eating. I know, that scenario seems a lot less likely but pie pushers are real, and they’re out there at the same holiday parties as you.

(That was a public service announcement)

Let’s address both of these situations.

Scenario 1: Pie-On-The-Go

To create the perfect pie tote, look to your leftover gift wrapping materials. Every single year, I go HAM at the post-Christmas sales and buy more wrapping supplies than I ever have gifts to give.

What you need to make a simple pie plate that will look almost professional:

• Cellophane/clear plastic gift wrap or large treat bags
• Plastic wrap (foodservice grade)
• Cardboard cake box inserts (you can also make your own, but they’re easy to purchase at craft supply stores)
• Festive ribbon (I like red, silver or gold)
• a Marie Callender’s Dessert Pie
• (Optional) Gift tags

Once you’ve collected your supplies, glue to pieces of cellophane together to create a bag (you can also buy large treat bags). Place your cardboard circle on the bottom to steady your pie.

Once dried, wrap your pie on all sides in plastic wrap and place it into the treat bag. If you’re bringing the pie somewhere to be served immediately (like a cocktails and dessert party or your neighbor’s book club) you can skip the plastic wrap. But if you’re all about presentation, the extra layer of wrapping will keep your pie from sticking to the edges.

Finally, center your pie toward the very back of the wrapper/bag and collect the top in a bunch. Secure it with your favorite festive ribbon and if your pie is a gift, attach your favorite gift tag to the center.

Scenario 2: Pie at a Party

Let’s face it: at a good party, people barely have room for coffee let alone pie once it’s time for dessert. Sure, for holiday meals, we psych ourselves for that second piece of pumpkin pie, but more often, the host is left with a very ample amount of leftover dessert. Next time you have a  Marie Callender’s Dessert Pie on hand, especially if it’s a Caramel Apple Pie, well, look no further for a way to repurpose your dessert pie to create a unique recipe that might even carry you through Christmas morning.

Cinnamon rolls were always a special treat when I was growing up, a tradition that is fun to carry on now that I’m all “adult” and stuff. Make these as a special treat and serve them alongside a mug of hot cocoa topped with Reddi-wip®.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? How do you share the joy of pie with your family and friends?  Visit the brand on Facebook or Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration.