This Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls recipe is a great combination of our favorite indulgences; Apple Pie and Cinnamon Rolls. When you combine these flavors you will have everybody’s favorite treat during this holiday season.
How often do you make homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast? If you say “not often because they are too complicated”, hold that thought! I can give you a great recipe for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with luscious icing which is quite easy to make. I didn’t say it is quick, because it still takes some time to prove the dough, but the steps are very easy to follow even if you are not a professional baker.
There are different ways on how to make cinnamon rolls from scratch. The easiest way is to use a stand mixer, because you can just put all the ingredients in at once, and this magical mixer will do all the mixing and kneading work for you. In the meantime, just watch another episode of “Fixer Uppers” or “Vikings” while the dough is rising. Your final reward when all is done will be a mouthwatering apple pie cinnamon aroma in the entire house, and scrumptious fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with apples and topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
BTW, if you decide to exclude apples from the recipe (which I strongly advise against), you still will have delicious classic cinnamon buns.
How to make Cinnamon Rolls Dough:
When you make the dough you can make it by hand and just knead the dough or use a stand mixer with dough hook attachment (I think the second technique is much easier).
If you decide to use a stand mixer, you just need to mix all the ingredients together and knead it in the mixer for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Put it in a greased bowl, turn it around so the oil covers all the sides, cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and put the bowl in a warm place to rise for about 2 hours.
How to make Apple Pie Filling:
While the dough is rising, let’s look at apple pie filling recipe. You will need to preheat a skillet over medium/high heat, add unsalted butter, diced apples, zest from one orange, and apple cider and bring it to boil. Then turn the heat down to medium/low, cover with a lid and simmer until the apples are soft. Drain the mixture through a fine sieve and set aside to cool off. Before you add the apples to the cinnamon rolls, add a tablespoon of all-purpose flour and mix well. That will help to absorb the excess liquid.
How to make Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls:
When the dough is ready, roll it on the floured surface, spread over softened butter, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture and precooked apples which have been previously drained from the liquid and mixed with flour. Roll, cut into 12 even pieces, put them into greased pan, cover and set them aside at warm place for another 30-40 minutes.
Bake them at 350°F for about 35 min or until golden/brown color. Top with cream cheese glaze and enjoy!
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to grease a bowl)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (to brush over the top before baking)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 5 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- zest from 1 orange
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 tablespoon all-purpoose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4-1/3 cup whole milk
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In a small bowl, combine together warm water and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Sprinkle 1 package of the yeast over the top and set aside for about 5 minutes.
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In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer (with a dough hook attached), add all-purpose flour, salt, granulated sugar, melted unsalted butter, an egg, whole milk, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture. Mix it on a low speed until combined, then switch to a medium speed and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth.
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Grease a large bowl with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Place the dough in the greased bowl, turn it around so the oil covers all the sides, cover with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place to rise for 2 hours.
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While the dough is rising, make the filling. In a preheated large skillet on a medium/high heat. Add a tablespoon of butter, diced apples and orange zest. Mix it and add apple cider. Bring it to boil, then reduce the heat to medium/low, cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes until the apples are soft. When done, drain them through a fine sieve and put soften apples aside to cool off.
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When the dough has risen and doubled in size, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle. Spread over 4 tablespoons of softened butter and sprinkle over the cinnamon/sugar mixture evenly. Mix apple mixture with a tablespoon of all-purpose flour and spread it evenly over the cinnamon/sugar.
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Roll into a log lengthwise, starting from one end to the other. Using a sharp knife, cut it into 12 even slices and put them side down in a buttered 9×13 baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place to rise for 30-40 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. When the cinnamon rolls has risen, brush them with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and baked inside.
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While they are baking, mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract in a mixing bowl, and using a fork, mix it together until well combined. Add some milk until you get a slightly runny glaze consistency.
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When the Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are baked, spread the glaze over and enjoy!
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