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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

    Published: Apr 26, 2022 · Modified: Jun 6, 2022 by Alana Lieberman · As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Pin graphic for apple pie cinnamon rolls.

    These Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling are the perfect gooey sweet treat to enjoy on weekends and special occasions. Each roll is filled with fresh apples and cinnamon sugar and smothered with a homemade cream cheese icing. Plus, they are quick and easy with only 30 minutes of rising and simple pantry ingredients!

    Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling topped with a cream cheese icing in a baking dish.
    Jump to:
    • 📋 About the Recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 📓 Instructions
    • ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations
    • ❄️ How to Store
    • 🔍 FAQs
    • 💭 A Couple More Tips
    • 🍴 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    📋 About the Recipe

    • Quick rise! Many cinnamon roll recipes call for several lengthy rises before baking. These apple pie rolls only require 30 minutes total of rising time.
    • Great for holidays! Enjoy these memorable cinnamon rolls for Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, or on Rosh Hashanah.
    • Hosting friendly. I love making cinnamon rolls for hosting because they feed a large crowd, are special, and super filling! Serve with fresh fruit, eggs, bacon or Air Fryer Potato Latkes. Even try serving them with a savory main option like my Mediterranean Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche!

    🛒 Ingredients

    For Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

    Labelled ingredients for cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling (see recipe for details).

    For Cream Cheese Icing

    Labelled ingredients for cream cheese icing (see recipe for details).

    A few notes about the ingredients:

    1. Instant yeast - Note that this recipe uses instant yeast, also known as rapid rise yeast. You can use regular active dry yeast instead, but you will have to double the rise times.
    2. Flour - All purpose flour is the best flour to use in homemade cinnamon rolls. If you use whole wheat flour or another flour, your results will be drastically different. The rolls will not only be more dense, but the dough may not turn out well.
    3. Eggs - These apple pie filled cinnamon rolls use 1 large egg and an egg yolk. Try making my Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondies with the leftover egg white!
    4. Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar is necessary for sweetening the homemade cream cheese icing. Powdered sugar cannot be substituted with any other type of sugar as other sugars would be too grainy and will not make a smooth icing.
    5. Butter - Unsalted butter is used in both the dough and the cream cheese icing. Both components require softened butter. Allow the butter to come to room temperature before using for best results.

    📓 Instructions

    1. Prepare the apple pie filling. In a large pot over medium-low heat, stir together the thinly sliced gala apples (learn how to cut an apple here), lemon juice, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt.

      Stir the apple pie filling constantly for about 10 to 12 minutes until the apples are softened. Once soft and fragrant, set aside and allow the filling to cool completely.
    Ingredients for apple pie filling in a pot and cooked until softened.
    1. Melt the butter into the milk. Combine the room temperature, unsalted butter and whole milk in a microwaveable cup or bowl (I used a glass pyrex). Microwave until the butter is melted and the mixture reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit on a thermometer.

      In my microwave, this takes about 1 minute. If the mixture is 110 degrees Fahrenheit but the butter isn't fully melted, whisk it into the milk until it melts.
    Melted butter and warm milk in a measuring cup.
    1. Prepare the dough. Add the instant rapid rise yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour the butter and milk mixture over top while still warm and gently whisk together. Allow to sit for 1 minute.
    2. Add in the all purpose flour, sugar, salt, and eggs to the bowl.
    Melted butter and warm milk added to yeast, flour, eggs, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
    1. Using the dough hook attachment, turn the mixer to medium-low and mix for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough forms a ball and begins pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky and sticks to the bowl, add up to an additional cup of flour (I typically add an additional ¼ cup).
    2. Rise the dough. Transfer the dough to a bowl greased with a splash of vegetable oil. Cover with a clean tea towel or saran wrap and set in a warm place for 10 minutes.
    Dough resting in a mixing bowl with a towel over top.
    1. Get ready to roll the dough: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 casserole dish. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the apple pie filling and set aside.
    2. Roll the dough. Flour a clean surface, then roll the dough out until rolled into a large rectangle, about ½" thick. You can do this in 2 batches if you are limited on space.
    Cinnamon and sugar mixed in a bowl. Dough rolled out into a rectangle on a cutting board.
    1. Spread on the apple pie filling. Spread the softened unsalted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar until the dough is completely coated. Lastly, gently place the apple pie filling on top of the cinnamon sugar.
    Rolled out dough topped with butter, cinnamon sugar, and apple pie filling.
    1. Roll the cinnamon roll dough.Starting with the long edge, roll the dough tightly to form a long log, keeping the apples inside. Then, using a knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into a total of 12 even-sized rolls.
    Raw cinnamon rolls rolled up and cut into rolls.
    1. Transfer to a baking dish and rise again. Place the cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling into the greased baking dish, swirl side up. Cover with the same clean tea towel and allow the rolls to rise once more for 20 minutes.
    2. Bake. Bake the rolls with apple pie filling for 23-28 minutes, or until golden brown and the dough is cooked through in the middle.
    Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling before and after baking in a white baking dish.
    1. Prepare the cream cheese icing. In a clean stand mixer bowl, beat together the full fat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract, using the paddle attachment. Add in the powdered sugar, salt, and milk, and beat again until light and fluffy.
    Whipped cream cheese and other ingredients in a mixing bowl for the icing.
    1. Serve! Serve the apple pie filled rolls warm with the cream cheese icing spread over top.
    Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling in a white baking dish topped halfway with cream cheese icing.

    ⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations

    • Use any sweet apples you'd like! In this recipe, I recommend using gala, but you can use what you have.
    • Substitute the unsalted butter with salted butter. If doing so, omit the additional kosher salt.
    • All purpose flour is the only flour recommended. It creates the best, fluffy cinnamon rolls. No other flour has been tested and cannot be recommended.

    ❄️ How to Store

    To store: Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator in an airtight container or the casserole dish covered tightly with saran wrap. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    To freeze: Freeze the rolls in an airtight container with the icing on the side up to 6 months.

    To reheat: Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until warmed through. If you are reheating a bunch of rolls at once, you can place them back in an oven preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit covered with foil for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.

    🔍 FAQs

    Why did my cinnamon rolls turn out dry?

    If your cinnamon rolls are on the drier side, you likely added too much flour to the dough. When measuring flour, it is important to use the spoon and level method:

    Instead of digging the measuring cup directly into the bag, you want to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife. Do not pack the flour in or tap it on the counter to fit more in - this will yield too much flour and therefore, create dry buns.

    Why did my cinnamon rolls turn out dense?

    Contrastingly to dry cinnamon rolls, dense cinnamon rolls typically means that not enough flour was used.

    If your dough was super sticky and difficult to work with, this is a sign not enough flour was used or it was under mixed. Another cause for dense cinnamon rolls could be under baking.

    Why didn't my cinnamon rolls rise in the oven?

    If your cinnamon rolls did not rise, my guess is your yeast was not fresh (make sure to check the expiration date!) or the butter/milk mixture you poured overtop the yeast was too hot and therefore killed the yeast.

    Both of these things can prevent the rolls from rising properly in the oven.

    💭 A Couple More Tips

    • Use unflavored dental floss when possible. When cutting the cinnamon rolls, I highly recommend using dental floss. Using a knife works in a pinch, but it smashes the cinnamon rolls down, which will likely cause the apple pie filling to ooze out of the middle. Dental floss will allow the rolls to keep their shape, effortlessly cutting through the dough, keeping the filling inside.
    • Sift the powdered sugar into the icing. Powdered sugar has a tendency to get clumpy and whipping those clumps out of the icing is very difficult once added. Sift the powdered sugar into the icing to create the smoothest texture.
    • Use room temperature ingredients. Room temperature ingredients are going to blend together easier and yield the lightest, fluffiest cinnamon rolls.
    A cinnamon roll on a black plate with a fork full of apple pie filling and flakey dough.

    🍴 Related Recipes

    • Chunky Apple Cinnamon Granola
    • Apple Cider and Date Coffee Cake
    • Chocolate Baked Oats
    • Cast Iron Bourbon Caramel Apple Crisp

    Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!

    📖 Recipe

    Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling topped with a cream cheese icing in a baking dish.

    Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

    Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling are the perfect gooey sweet treat to enjoy on weekends and special occasions. Each roll is filled with fresh apples and cinnamon sugar and smothered with a homemade cream cheese icing!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Kosher, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 50 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Proofing Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
    Servings: 12 rolls
    Calories: 472kcal
    Author: Alana Lieberman
    Cost: $20

    Equipment

    • large pot
    • Stand Mixer
    • 9x13 baking dish

    Ingredients

    Apple Pie Filling

    • 3 gala apples peeled and sliced thin in half
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice (about ½ a lemon)
    • ⅔ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Cinnamon Roll Dough

    • 1 ⅓ cups whole milk room temperature
    • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (5 ⅓ tablespoons) room temperature
    • 4 cups all purpose flour
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 packet instant rapid rise yeast (¼ ounce or 2 teaspoons)
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1 egg yolk room temperature

    Cinnamon Roll Filling

    • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (5 ⅓ tablespoons) softened
    • ⅔ cup light brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

    Cream Cheese Icing

    • 5 ⅓ ounce full fat, plain cream cheese
    • 2 ⅔ tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ⅔ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon whole milk room temperature
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Make the apple pie filling ahead of time. Combine all apple pie ingredients in a large pot and cook on medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes until the apples are softened. Stir constantly so the apples don’t stick or burn. Set aside to cool completely.
    • Make the dough: Add butter and milk to a microwavable measuring cup or bowl. Microwave for about 1 minute or until the butter is melted and it registers 110 degrees F on a thermometer. If the butter isn’t fully melted, whisk it into the milk until it melts.
    • Add yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour the butter and milk mixture over top while still warm. Whisk and let sit for about 1 minute.
    • Add flour, sugar, salt, and eggs to the bowl. Using a dough hook, turn the mixer to medium-low and mix for 5 to 7 minutes to form a ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. You can add more flour if it’s still sticky, but not more than an additional 1 cup. (I added about ¼ cup more flour.)
    • Take the dough out of the bowl, grease the bowl with a light splash of vegetable oil, and put the dough back in. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm place for 10 minutes.
    • Get ready to roll the dough: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together for the cinnamon roll filling and set aside. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature.
    • Flour a clean surface and roll the dough out until it’s about a ½ inch thick rectangle. You can do this in 2 batches by dividing the dough in half, if you’re limited on space.
    • For the cinnamon roll filling: Spread the softened butter over the dough and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place the apple pie filling over top.
    • Starting with the long edge, roll the dough tightly to form a long log. Using a knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log (or logs, if rolled in 2 batches) into a total of 12 even-sized cinnamon rolls.
    • Place the rolls into the greased baking dish, swirl-side up. Cover with the same dish towel and allow to sit in a warm, dry place for another 20 minutes.
    • Make the cream cheese icing: Clean the bowl of your stand mixer. Then, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl with a paddle attachment until creamy. Add powdered sugar, salt, and milk. Then beat again until light and fluffy.
    • Bake cinnamon rolls for 23 to 28 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked in the middle.
    • Spread the cream cheese icing over the rolls and serve warm.

    Notes

    1. Make sure to use room temperature ingredients so they mix together easier.
    2. The butter for the cinnamon roll filling is much easier to spread if it is completely softened, but not melted.
    3. Use unflavored dental floss when possible. When cutting the cinnamon rolls, I highly recommend using dental floss. Using a knife works in a pinch, but it smashes the cinnamon rolls down, which will likely cause the apple pie filling to ooze out of the middle. Dental floss will allow the rolls to keep their shape, effortlessly cutting through the dough, keeping the filling inside.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 357mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 516IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 2mg
    Want to Save this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Make sure to follow @yourhomemadehealthy for more delicious recipes!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brent

      September 13, 2022 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      I made this cinnamon roll dough a few days ago (was too lazy to make the apple pie filling) and it was PERFECT. Truly the best (and also easiest!) cinnamon roll dough I've ever made. Highly recommend!

      Reply
    2. Tanya

      June 14, 2022 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely frickin delish ❣️

      Reply
      • Alana Lieberman

        November 01, 2022 at 10:04 pm

        So happy you enjoyed it! It's one of my favorites too!

        Reply
    3. Lexi

      April 29, 2022 at 9:17 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!!

      Reply

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