My niece has a thing for apples. Not just any apples—she specifically asks for them peeled and sliced into thin little moons, lined up on her plate like she’s running an apple tasting board. She’s six. And she knows what she likes.

A few weekends ago, she came to stay over, and I asked her if she wanted to help me make something sweet. “Something with apples,” she declared without a second thought. I was tempted to go the classic pie route, but I wanted something different—something she could swirl and roll with her tiny hands. So, we turned my kitchen into a little weekend bakery, and together, we made Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls.

She giggled as she stirred warm cinnamon into the diced apples, her face lighting up when the scent of nutmeg hit the pan. Watching her press dough with all her might and smear it with butter like she was painting was a core memory in the making. And the rolls? Fluffy, golden, filled with tender cinnamon apples and that signature swirl of sugar and spice—like a warm hug you can eat.

These rolls are more than breakfast—they’re a weekend ritual waiting to happen.

Short Description

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls combine everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls and warm apple pie filling in one cozy, fluffy, sticky-sweet treat—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Key Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Pie Filling:

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Cinnamon Roll Filling:

1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (to adjust consistency)

Tools Needed

Stand mixer (or large mixing bowl and wooden spoon)
Rolling pin
9×13-inch baking dish
Skillet or saucepan
Sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (for slicing rolls)
Spatula and mixing bowls

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy. If no foam appears, your yeast may be inactive—try again with fresh yeast.

Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the yeast mixture with softened butter, vanilla, eggs, flour, and salt. Knead until the dough is soft and elastic, about 5 minutes. If it’s too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Cook the Apple Filling
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples are soft and syrupy. Stir in flour to thicken. Set aside to cool.

Step 5: Prepare Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Keep the softened butter ready for spreading.

Step 6: Roll and Fill the Dough
Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches) on a floured surface. Spread the butter evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then evenly spoon the apple pie filling across the dough.

Step 7: Roll and Slice
Tightly roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut it into 12 even rolls.

Step 8: Second Rise
Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 9: Bake the Rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown on top. The centers should be soft but not doughy.

Step 10: Make the Frosting
While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream slowly to reach your desired consistency—spreadable, but not runny.

Step 11: Frost and Serve
Let rolls cool slightly before slathering on the cream cheese frosting. Serve warm for best experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– Combines two favorite treats: cinnamon rolls + apple pie

– Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert

– Freezer-friendly and make-ahead options

– Kid-friendly, fun for family baking

– Sweet, spiced, and cozy with every bite

– Cream cheese frosting adds rich, tangy contrast

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Using cold milk for yeast: It won’t activate. Use milk at 110°F.

Overloading the filling: Too much apple mixture can cause soggy bottoms. Spread it evenly and don’t overpack.

Not letting dough rise fully: Rolls will be dense. Be patient—wait until dough doubles in size.

Skipping the flour in the apple mixture: The filling needs to thicken to avoid a watery mess.

Overbaking: Rolls can dry out. Check at 25 minutes; tops should be golden, not dark brown.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

– Serve warm with hot coffee or spiced chai

– Perfect addition to a brunch buffet

– Pair with vanilla yogurt and fresh berries for a balanced breakfast

– Serve plated with extra frosting drizzle for dessert

– Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchier finish

Storage and Reheating Tips

To store: Cool completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To freeze: Wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat: Warm in microwave for 20–30 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling.

2. What are the best apples to use?
Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—they hold their shape and balance the sweetness.

3. Can I skip the cream cheese frosting?
Yes. You can use a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) or eat them plain—they’re flavorful enough on their own.

4. How can I make these dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter, dairy-free milk, and a vegan cream cheese alternative for the frosting.

5. Why did my rolls turn out tough?
This can happen from over-kneading, adding too much flour, or baking too long. Stick to the kneading time and check oven early.

Tips & Tricks

– Warm the milk in the microwave and check with a thermometer

– Grease your hands lightly when kneading sticky dough

– Use dental floss for clean, even roll slices

– Let the rolls cool just enough before frosting—warm rolls help melt the icing just a bit

– Add a pinch of salt to the frosting to enhance the sweetness

Recipe Variations

1. Caramel Apple Rolls
Replace brown sugar in the apple filling with caramel sauce. Drizzle extra caramel on top before serving.

2. Nutty Apple Rolls
Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the apple filling. Toast nuts beforehand for deeper flavor.

3. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Replace vanilla extract in frosting with 1 teaspoon maple syrup for a cozy fall twist.

4. Whole Wheat Dough Option
Substitute 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for extra fiber and a nutty bite. Adjust liquid slightly if dough feels dry.

5. Apple-Pear Fusion Rolls
Use 1 apple and 1 ripe pear in the filling for a slightly softer, aromatic center. Reduce cook time for the filling by a minute.

Final Thoughts

Every bite of these Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls is a swirl of warmth and comfort. Making them with my niece reminded me how food connects generations and moments—it turns a lazy Saturday into a sweet tradition. The dough is soft, the apples perfectly tender, and the cinnamon spice hits just right.

Rolling up buttery dough and watching the spirals come to life in the oven brings a genuine joy like no other. My niece now asks for “those swirly apple things” every time she visits—and I never say no. You won’t either, once you try them.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

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Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

For the Dough:
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Pie Filling:
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the Cinnamon Roll Filling:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (to adjust consistency)

Instructions

Step 1. Activate yeast: by mixing warm milk, sugar, and yeast; wait until foamy.

Step 2. Make dough: by combining yeast mixture with butter, vanilla, eggs, flour, and salt; knead until soft and elastic.

Step 3. Let dough rise: in a greased bowl, covered, until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

Step 4. Cook apple filling: by sautéing apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, then thicken with flour; cool.

Step 5. Prepare cinnamon filling: by mixing brown sugar and cinnamon; have softened butter ready.

Step 6. Roll out dough: into a rectangle, spread butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, and evenly add apple filling.

Step 7. Roll up dough: tightly and slice into 12 rolls.

Step 8. Let rolls rise: in a greased pan for 30 minutes.

Step 9. Bake rolls: at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until golden and soft inside.

Step 10. Make frosting: by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla; thin with cream as needed.

Step 11. Frost and serve: the rolls warm with cream cheese frosting.