Apple Pie–Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls: Sweet Fall Breakfast Recipe

Here’s a delicious variation on classic cinnamon rolls: Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling.

Soft, pillowy dough is filled with spiced apple pie filling and finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting that balances sweetness and richness perfectly.

These homemade rolls take some time, but they’re straightforward and well worth the effort. The combination of cinnamon and apple makes them an ideal choice for a special breakfast or holiday morning.

If you enjoy cinnamon rolls, try other flavor ideas like plain cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting or fruit-filled variations.

The Best Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling

There’s nothing like the warm aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls. Adding a spiced apple filling transforms them into something even more comforting—think apple pie wrapped in soft, buttery dough. The apples bring freshness and sweetness, while the cream cheese frosting adds tang and creaminess that melts into every crevice.

These rolls are perfect for a holiday morning, a cozy weekend breakfast, or any time you want a memorable homemade treat to share.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients

The recipe uses simple, familiar ingredients. Key items to note:

• Whole milk: Adds richness and yields a soft, tender dough. You can use 2% as a substitute; avoid skim for best texture.
• Instant or active dry yeast: The leavening agent—proof it in warm milk to ensure it’s active.
• Unsalted butter: Enriches the dough, flavors the filling, and is used in the frosting. Good-quality butter improves taste.
• Fresh apples: Use apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness.
• Cream cheese: The base of the frosting; use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth, creamy glaze.

For exact measurements and the full ingredient list, see the recipe card below.

Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling Recipe Variations

Customize these rolls to suit your taste:

• Nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for texture.
• Vanilla glaze: Replace cream cheese frosting with a simple vanilla glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Caramel apple: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting for extra indulgence.
• Spiced: Use pumpkin pie spice or add nutmeg and cloves for deeper warm spice notes.
• Tangy apple: Stir a little lemon juice into the filling for brightness.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling

Overview: proof the yeast, make the dough, prepare the apple filling, assemble the rolls, bake, and frost.

Step 1: Proof the Yeast

Warm milk to about 110°F–115°F. Combine with yeast and one tablespoon of sugar in a large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy—this indicates active yeast.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, egg, salt, and flour. Knead with a stand mixer and dough hook for a few minutes or knead by hand until smooth and elastic. Incorporate softened butter at the end to enrich the dough.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place dough in a buttered bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled, about 1 hour. A turned-on oven (light only) works well to create a warm environment.

Step 4: Make the Apple Pie Filling

In a pot, melt butter and add brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced apples. Cook over medium heat until the apples soften but keep a bit of bite. Add a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. Cool the filling in the refrigerator before using so it’s easier to spread.

Step 5: Assemble the Rolls

Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10×18-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the cooled apple filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll into a log, trim the ends, and cut into 12 equal rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place rolls in a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise about 30 minutes until nearly doubled.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown and set. Check at 20 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat room-temperature cream cheese and butter with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. An electric mixer or stand mixer works best.

Step 9: Frost the Rolls

Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls so it melts slightly into the surface and adds extra richness.

Step 10: Serve

Serve warm and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days and reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.

Expert Tips

• Dough consistency: The dough should be slightly sticky—avoid adding too much flour to keep rolls soft.
• Dough scraper: Useful for working with sticky dough and keeping your surface clean.
• Even slicing: Use unflavored dental floss or a very sharp knife to cut even rolls without squashing them.
• Rising spot: Rise dough in a warm, draft-free area—an oven with just the light on is ideal.
• Reheating: Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to five days. Reheat in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

What To Serve With Cinnamon Apple Pie Rolls

Enjoy these rolls warm with a cup of hot coffee or pair them with chilled ice cream, hot chocolate, or a warm spiced drink for a cozy treat.

More Baking Recipes

More baking inspiration to try.

Yogurt Cake

Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Classic Chocolate Cake

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vanilla Pound Cake

More Dessert Recipes

Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

Red Velvet Cake Recipe Without Buttermilk

Sugar Coated Donuts

No Churn Strawberry Ice Cream

Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

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Soft, fluffy dough filled with spiced, juicy apples and topped with cream cheese frosting. These rolls are a wonderful choice for breakfast, holidays, or dessert.

Prep: 1 hr

Cook: 25 mins

Rising Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Total: 2 hrs 45 mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Equipment

• Stand mixer or bread machine for mixing dough

Ingredients

Rolls

• 1½ cups whole milk
• 2¼ teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 large egg
• 4¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon softened butter (for dough)

Filling

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup dark or light brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 4 apples, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)

Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 8 Tablespoons butter
• ⅔ cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Rolls

• Proof the yeast: Warm milk to 110°–115°F, mix with yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar, and rest 5 minutes until foamy.
• Make and knead the dough: Add remaining sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix and knead until smooth and elastic, then knead in softened butter.
• Let the dough rise: Place in a buttered bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Make the filling: Cook butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples over medium heat until softened but still slightly firm. Cool in the fridge until spreadable.
• Grease the pan: Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Roll out and fill: Roll dough to a 10×18-inch rectangle, spread cooled filling leaving a 1-inch border, roll into a log, and cut into 12 pieces.
• Second rise: Place rolls in the prepared dish, cover, and let rise 30 minutes until puffed.
• Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake 20–25 minutes until golden and set.
• Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
• Frost and serve: Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to five days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Make ahead: Assemble rolls, place in the greased pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature for an hour before baking. Storing: Refrigerate up to five days; reheat briefly before serving. Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container up to three months.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 469

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