Who doesn’t love waking up to the comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven? These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls take the classic breakfast pastry up a notch with a gooey apple pie filling tucked inside the fluffy dough. One bite will have your tastebuds doing a happy dance!
What Makes These So Special?
What sets these cinnamon rolls apart from others? The addition of homemade apple pie filling, of course! Diced apples are cooked down with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla to create a sweet, syrupy filling. We layer that fruity goodness into the rolls before baking for a burst of appley flavor in each bite. Yum!
How Do You Make Them?
Part of what makes these Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls so doable is that the dough itself comes together quickly. After proofing the yeast, you’ll mix up a simple dough of flour, sugar, butter, egg, milk, and salt. No stand mixer required here! Roll it out, spread on melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture, plop on the apple filling, then roll it all up. A few more rises and these beauties are oven-bound.
While the rolls bake, mix up a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting to drizzle on top. And that’s it – pull them warm from the oven and dive right in!
When Are They Best Enjoyed?
Is there a bad time to eat these apple-filled rolls? We think not! The gooey filling and soft dough make them perfect for leisurely weekend mornings. Packed in lunchboxes, they make school days brighter. Bring a pan to the office for an instant morale boost. Serve as a fun dessert after dinner parties. However and whenever you enjoy them, these Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls always hit the sweet spot!
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- Milk: 1 cup, warmed to 110°F (45°C)
- Instant Yeast: 2-1/2 teaspoons
- Granulated Sugar: 1/3 cup
- Butter, melted: 1/3 cup
- Egg: 1 large, lightly whisked
- All-purpose Flour: 3 1/2 cups
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Cooking Oil Spray
For the Filling:
- Brown Sugar, loosely packed: 3/4 cup
- Butter, melted: 2 tablespoons
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Apple Pie Filling: 1 can (21 ounces/600 grams)
To Make Your Own Apple Pie Filling:
- Apples: 5, peeled, cored, and diced
- White Sugar: 1/3 cup
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
- Pure Vanilla Extract (optional): 1 teaspoon
For the Frosting:
- Cream Cheese, room temperature: 2 ounces (60 grams)
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Milk: 1 tablespoon
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon
- Powdered Sugar (adjust to taste): 1 cup
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (100°C).
For the Yeast: 2. Combine warm milk, yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl. Let it stand for 10 minutes until frothy.
For the Rolls: 3. Add the whisked egg to the milk mixture. Then, incorporate exactly 3 1/2 cups flour, remaining sugar, and salt, mixing until a soft, sticky dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 2 minutes.
- Lightly coat a large bowl with cooking oil spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover with a damp towel. Turn off the oven and place the bowl inside. Let it rise for 30 minutes. Check readiness by pressing two fingers into the dough; if an indentation remains, let it rise longer. Punch down the dough and let it rest for another 30 minutes until doubled in size.
For the Apple Filling: 5. If using canned apple pie filling, dice apples into 1/2-inch cubes. Alternatively, make your own filling by heating apples, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla in a pot over medium heat. Simmer until apples are softened, then cool slightly before using.
- Roll out the dough into a 21×14-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the apple pie mixture. Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 12 slices.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Uncover rolls and bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly golden. Cool slightly before frosting.
For the Frosting: 10. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until lump-free. Drizzle over rolls and serve warm.
Notes:
- Use full fat, 2%, or skim milk for the dough. Warm in the microwave, ensuring it’s warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
