Irresistibly Gooey Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Crafting the most delectable apple pie cinnamon rolls requires passion and a dash of culinary magic.

Sweet aromas will soon fill your kitchen with warmth.

Spiral pastries packed with seasonal fruit and fragrant spices promise pure comfort.

Layers of soft dough embrace tender apple chunks and rich cinnamon swirls.

Baking these treats connects you to generations of home cooks who cherished simple, delightful recipes.

Every bite tells a story of love and tradition.

Roll up your sleeves and let’s create something extraordinary that will make mouths water and hearts smile.

Why Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Feel So Cozy

• Celebrate Family Comfort: Dive into a warm, gooey treat that brings everyone together around the table with its irresistible aroma and classic flavors.
• Master Baking Skills: Learn a delightful recipe that teaches essential techniques like yeast activation, dough handling, and caramelizing fruits while feeling like a pro baker.
• Seasonal Dessert Delight: Transform ordinary cinnamon rolls into a special autumn-inspired dessert that captures the essence of apple pie in every single bite.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for brunches, holiday gatherings, or weekend morning surprises that will make you the star baker among friends and family.

What’s In Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational ingredient that creates the soft and tender dough structure.
• Active Dry Yeast: A crucial ingredient that helps the dough rise and develop a light, airy texture.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps activate the yeast for proper dough development.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and contributes to the softness of the rolls.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and brings subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the rolls.

• Apples: The star ingredient that brings a sweet and tangy fruit element to the cinnamon rolls.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramelized and rich sweetness in the apple mixture.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement the apple flavor and add depth to the filling.
• Vanilla: Provides a subtle aromatic enhancement to the apple mixture.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich and creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Vanilla, Milk: Provide additional flavor and help adjust the frosting's texture.

How To Roll And Bake Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate Yeast

Warm milk and butter to 110°F in a small saucepan. Stir in sugar and let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms. The dough should feel soft and pliable.

Step 3: First Dough Rise

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm spot. Allow the dough to rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size and looks puffy.

Step 4: Prepare Apple Filling

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Nutmeg

Sauté the mixture until the apples caramelize and become tender, creating a rich, fragrant filling.

Step 5: Roll Out Dough

On a floured surface, roll the risen dough into a large rectangular shape. Spread the warm apple mixture evenly across the surface, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 6: Shape Cinnamon Rolls

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, slice the log into 12 equal rounds.

Step 7: Second Dough Rise

Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature.

Step 8: Bake Rolls

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown and fill the kitchen with a delightful aroma.

Step 9: Create Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Blend until the frosting becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious combination of apple pie and cinnamon rolls.

Best Tips For Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Prevent Dough Sticking: Dust your work surface with flour to keep the dough from clinging and tearing when rolling out.
• Control Apple Texture: Dice apples finely and cook briefly to maintain a soft, not mushy, filling with caramelized edges.
• Precise Yeast Activation: Use a kitchen thermometer to hit exactly 110°F, ensuring proper yeast growth and soft roll texture.
• Slice Cleanly: Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to cut rolls evenly without squishing the delicate dough.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let rolls rise in a draft-free, warm spot to help them expand and become wonderfully fluffy before baking.

Yummy Spins On Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Caramel Apple Adventure: Replace standard apple filling with rich caramel sauce and chopped apples, creating a gooey, decadent version with deeper sweetness.
• Maple Walnut Apple Roll: Incorporate chopped walnuts into the apple mixture and drizzle maple syrup over the frosting for a nutty, autumnal flavor profile.
• Rustic Spiced Apple Roll: Add ground cardamom and ginger to the apple filling, using whole wheat flour for the dough to create a more robust, earthy cinnamon roll experience.
• Cream Cheese Apple Crumble Roll: Top rolls with a crunchy streusel made from flour, brown sugar, and butter before baking, adding textural contrast to the soft, fruity rolls.

What Tastes Great With Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: Brew a hot apple cider infused with cinnamon sticks and cloves, complementing the rolls' sweet apple and cinnamon profile.
• Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm rolls, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Match with Caramel Macchiato: Brew a rich caramel macchiato that echoes the dessert's warm, sweet notes and provides a luxurious beverage companion.
• Accompany with Toasted Pecan Crunch: Sprinkle toasted, chopped pecans over the rolls for added texture and a nutty depth that elevates the apple and cinnamon flavors.

How To Store Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Without A Mess

• Store cooled apple pie cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Wrap each roll separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. This method allows you to defrost only the number of rolls you want to enjoy.
• Keep rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days in a covered container. Ensure the container is sealed to prevent staleness and maintain softness.

Answers To Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Questions

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are ideal because they hold their shape well and provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness during caramelization.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature and rise before rolling and filling.

• How do I know the yeast is properly activated?

The mixture should become foamy and slightly bubbly within 5 minutes, indicating the yeast is alive and ready to help the dough rise.

• What's the best way to slice the rolls evenly?

Use unflavored dental floss or a very sharp serrated knife, cutting with a gentle sawing motion to maintain the rolls’ shape and prevent squishing.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent apple pie cinnamon rolls blend classic dessert magic with breakfast comfort. Warm spices and sweet apple filling promise a delightful morning treat you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs

Apple Filling:

• 3 medium apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Frosting/Topping:

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by warming milk and butter to 110°F, then mix with sugar and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Combine flour, salt, and activated yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
3. Cover dough and allow to rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. While dough rises, prepare apple filling by peeling and finely dicing apples, then sautéing with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, and nutmeg until caramelized and tender.
5. Roll out risen dough into a large rectangular shape, spreading the warm apple mixture evenly across the surface.
6. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then slice into 12 equal rounds using a sharp knife or dental floss.
7. Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F and bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
9. While cooling, whip cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a smooth, creamy frosting.
10. Generously spread frosting over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Notes

• Choose ripe, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in the filling.
• Ensure milk and butter are precisely 110°F to activate yeast without killing it, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
• Test dough’s readiness by gently pressing with a finger; if it springs back slowly, it’s perfectly risen and ready to roll.
• Gluten-free option: Substitute regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Prevent rolls from sticking by using dental floss or a sharp serrated knife when cutting the log into individual pieces.
• Add extra warmth by placing rolls in a slightly heated oven (turned off) during the second rise for consistent proofing.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg