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Home » Course » Breakfast » Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Published: Sep 9, 2022 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

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This is the best recipe for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls! Soft and fluffy layers of dough filled with classic apple pie filling and topped with silky cream cheese frosting. It will be the best breakfast/brunch to serve to your family during the holiday season and Christmas!

Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll in a baking dish.

This is my favorite recipe for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls that I make every holiday season. For the dough, I use my Overnight Cinnamon Rolls recipe that makes the best soft and fluffy rolls. Roll it out, top with butter and cinnamon/sugar mixture, homemade apple pie filling and bake until perfection. Serve it with silky luscious cream cheese frosting for the best flavor combination.

Why this recipe works

  • Cinnamon Rolls Dough. I use a foolproof cinnamon rolls dough recipe that can be made the same day from start to finish or prep the dough and rolls a day before and refrigerate overnight. So, in the morning, just let the rolls get the room temperature and rise, and they are ready to be baked!
  • Apple Pie Filling. There is nothing better than a delicious homemade apple pie filling. It’s easy to prep and tastes so much better than a store-bought version.
  • Cream Cheese Frosting. The cinnamon rolls are not finished until you top them with cream cheese frosting! It takes 5 minutes to prep but adds SO MUCH FLAVOR!
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls topped with cream cheese frosting in a baking dish.

Ingredients and Substitution

  • Flour. I usually use regular all-purpose flour, as I always have it on hand. To make the rolls even lighter and fluffier, you can use bread flour instead.
  • Yeast. In this recipe, I use active dry yeast that needs to be activated in warm liquid before mixing with dry ingredients. You can substitute it with instant yeast, which can be mixed directly with dry ingredients and doesn’t need to be activated before that.
  • Milk. I prefer to use whole milk as it provides more fats, making the dough soft and fluffy. If you decide to use low fat milk, the dough might come out a bit dry.
  • Apples. You can use pretty much any variety you love of have on hand. My favorite ones are Granny Smith, McIntosh, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious.
  • Sugar. In the filling, I like to use light brown sugar that provides more caramelized flavor. If you don’t have it, you can easily use regular granulated sugar.
  • Cream Cheese. Original Philadelphia Cream Cheese is my to-go brand (not sponsored). It has the best flavor and creates a perfect silky texture for the frosting.
Ingredients for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls.

How to make Cinnamon Rolls Dough

In a stand mixer bowl, add ¾ cup warm milk (about 110F), ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 2 ½ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast. Give it a stir and let sit for 5 minutes for the yeast to get activated.

Then add ¼ cup melted butter, 1 egg and stir again.

Process photos of making dough.

Add half of the all-purpose flour. Using a dough attachment, mix everything until combined on a low speed. Add the rest of the flour, slowly increase the speed to medium/low and continue to knead for 5 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft and smooth.

When done, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover the dough from all the sides. Cover with a towel and let it rise for 1 ½-2 hours or until it’s doubled in size.

Dough in a mixing bowl, before and after rising.

How to make Apple Pie Filling

While the dough is rising, we can prepare the apple pie filling.

Peel, core, and slice 4 apples.

Preheat a skillet over medium/low heat and add 2 tbsp butter and sliced apples. Stir and let it cook for a few minutes, so the apples get a bit softer.

Then add ¼ cup light brown sugar, stir, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the apples are soft and caramelized.

Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and add it to the filling. Cook for a few minutes or until the caramelized sauce is thicken.

Turn off the heat, set the skillet on the side and let it cool off completely.

Process photos of cooking apple slices in a skillet.

Assemble the rolls

When the dough is ready, punch it with a hand to deflate and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Then roll in a rectangular shape.

In a separate mixing bowl, mix together ⅔ cup light brown sugar and 1 ½ tbsp cinnamon.

Using your hands, evenly spread 6 tbsp softened butter over the rolled dough, then top with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Then evenly top it with the cooled apple pie filling.

Process photos of topping the rolled dough with butter, cinnamon, and cooked apples.

Tightly roll it into a log and cut with a sharp knife in 12 even rolls.

Transfer the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Then cover with the towel and let it rise again for about 40 minutes to an hour or until they double in size.

Unbaked cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling in a baking dish.

How to bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until they are baked through.

When done, take them out of the oven and let them sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes.

Close up photo of Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls.

How to make Cream Cheese Frosting

While the apple pie cinnamon rolls are cooling off, we can prepare the icing.

In a mixing bowl, add 8 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Using a hand or stand mixer, beat if for a few minutes until well blended.

Gradually, add some milk (1 tbsp at a time) until the desired consistency.

Generously, top the rolls with the cream cheese frosting and serve!

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls topped with cream cheese frosting.

Tips for best results

  • Milk. When mixing warm milk with active dry yeast, make sure the milk is not hotter than 110˚F. Too hot liquid will just kill the yeast and the dough will not rise. If the liquid got too hot, just let it sit a bit on the counter to cool off and get the right temperature before adding to the yeast.
  • Yeast. Always check the expiration date on the yeast package, especially if you don’t use it very often. If it’s expired, the dough might not rise well and the rolls will come out flat.
  • Butter. When spreading the butter over rolled dough, make sure it’s softened enough or it will be really hard to spread it evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I knead the dough by hand?

Yes. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough with your hands for about 10 minutes.

What apples are best for apple pie filling?

You can use any apples you have on hand. If you prefer more tart flavor, Granny Smith will work the best. For sweeter varieties, I like to use Honeycrisp, McIntosh, or Gala.

How to store?

You can store them on the countertop for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.

How to know if the cinnamon rolls are baked through?

To make sure the rolls are baked through, you can use a thermometer. When they are done, the internal temperature of the dough should reach 190˚F.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls with the filling, cut and transfer to a baking dish. Then cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, take them out of the fridge and let sit on the counter for about 1 hour or until they get the room temperature and double in size. Then bake according to the instructions.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll on a plate.

More Breakfast Ideas:

  • Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes
  • French Crepe Recipe
  • Oven Baked Potato Frittata
  • One Bowl Banana Bread
  • Banana Zucchini Bread
  • Healthy Morning Glory Muffins
  • Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Cups
  • Instant Pot Oatmeal
  • Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll in a baking dish.
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is the best recipe for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls! Soft and fluffy layers of dough filled with classic apple pie filling and topped with silky cream cheese frosting. It will be the best breakfast/brunch to serve to your family during the holiday season and Christmas!
Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 449kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

Ingredients for Cinnamon Rolls:

  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup whole milk warm, about 110˚F
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, for brushing

Ingredients for Apple Pie Filling:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 apples peeled, cored, and sliced
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Ingredients for Filling:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • ⅔ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup whole milk

Instructions

How to make Cinnamon Rolls Dough

  • In a stand mixer bowl, add ¾ cup warm milk (about 110F), ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 2 ½ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast. Give it a stir and let sit for 5 minutes for the yeast to get activated.
  • Then add ½ tsp salt, ¼ cup melted butter, 1 egg and stir again.
  • Add half of the all-purpose flour. Using a dough attachment, mix everything until combined on a low speed. Add the rest of the flour, slowly increase the speed to medium/low and continue to knead for 5 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft and smooth.
  • When done, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover the dough from all the sides. Cover with a towel and let it rise for 1 ½-2 hours or until it’s doubled in size.

How to make Apple Pie Filling

  • While the dough is rising, we can prepare the apple pie filling.
  • Peel, core, and slice 4 apples.
  • Preheat a skillet over medium/low heat and add 2 tbsp butter and sliced apples. Stir and let it cook for a few minutes, so the apples get a bit softer.
  • Then add ¼ cup light brown sugar, stir, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the apples are soft and caramelized.
  • Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and add it to the filling. Cook for a few minutes or until the caramelized sauce is thicken.
  • Turn off the heat, set the skillet on the side and let it cool off completely.

Assemble the rolls

  • When the dough is ready, punch it with a hand to deflate and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Then roll in a rectangular shape.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, mix together ⅔ cup light brown sugar and 1 ½ tbsp cinnamon.
  • Using your hands, evenly spread 6 tbsp softened butter over the rolled dough, then top with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Then evenly top it with the cooled apple pie filling.
  • Tightly roll it into a log and cut with a sharp knife in 12 even rolls.
  • Transfer the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Then cover with the towel and let it rise again for about 40 minutes to an hour or until they double in size.

How to bake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until they are baked through.
  • When done, take them out of the oven and let them sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes.

How to make Cream Cheese Frosting

  • While the apple pie cinnamon rolls are cooling off, we can prepare the icing.
  • In a mixing bowl, add 8 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  • Using a hand or stand mixer, beat if for a few minutes until well blended.
  • Gradually, add some milk (1 tbsp at a time) until the desired consistency.
  • Generously, top the rolls with the cream cheese frosting and serve!

Notes

  • Milk. When mixing warm milk with active dry yeast, make sure the milk is not hotter than 110˚F. Too hot liquid will just kill the yeast and the dough will not rise. If the liquid got too hot, just let it sit a bit on the counter to cool off and get the right temperature before adding to the yeast.
  • Yeast. Always check the expiration date on the yeast package, especially if you don’t use it very often. If it’s expired, the dough might not rise well and the rolls will come out flat.
  • Butter. When spreading the butter over rolled dough, make sure it’s softened enough or it will be really hard to spread it evenly.
  • How to store? You can store them on the countertop for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cinnamon roll | Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 781IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2018, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and FAQs in September of 2022.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Lisa says

    September 19, 2022 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    I love cinanmon rolls! But cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling? Now we are talking!

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    September 19, 2022 at 5:06 am

    5 stars
    I have been meaning to write you a note about these. Ever since I found your recipe, I have made them three times. We can’t have enough! My husband requests apple pie cinnamon rolls for breakfast and dessert! Thanks so much for giving us such a lovely recipe!

    Reply
  3. Dennis says

    September 18, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    5 stars
    OMG your apple pie cinnamon rolls were freaking amazing! My family devoured them and luckily I set two aside for myself before I let them at them.
    I need to make a double batch for my brother’s family when they visit next week.

    Reply
  4. Tammy says

    September 18, 2022 at 12:17 pm

    5 stars
    Oh I would love a batch of these. What a beautiful morning treat for the brisk Autumn mornings!

    Reply
  5. Helene says

    September 17, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Apple pie and cinnamon rolls combine in the same recipe; that’s a dream recipe. Thank you for the step-by-step instructions; it makes the recipe easy to follow.

    Reply
  6. Kathryn says

    September 15, 2022 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    These cinnamon rolls are heaven! I love the apple pie version and it’s absolutely perfect for fall mornings. I can’t wait to make these again, I’m already getting requests!

    Reply
  7. Tracy says

    September 14, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    5 stars
    The absolute perfect brunch! That cream cheese frosting is to die for. My kids are still talking about these!

    Reply
  8. Ann says

    September 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great fall season twist to the usual cinnamon rolls. Sounds so delicious! Excited to make these cinnamon rolls!

    Reply
  9. Jamie says

    September 13, 2022 at 7:55 am

    5 stars
    I have never tried to put apples on my cinnamon rolls, but it looks delicious!
    I am so excited to make this for everyone, and I wish it will turn good as yours. Yum!

    Reply
  10. Marta says

    September 12, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    I love these apple pie cinnamon rolls. They were a nice change of pace from all the pumpkin spice everything that usually takes over fall.

    Reply
  11. Nicolas Desjardins says

    January 06, 2020 at 6:04 pm

    It’s been a while that i’m looking for some apple pie rolls. This one look’s soo good i will try this at home tonight. Your website is great, simple but i love the white design. Keep going the great job 🙂

    Reply
  12. Mackenzie says

    September 02, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    We always do cinnamon rolls for special occasion breakfasts (birthdays, holidays, etc…) and I’m always looking for new ways to do them! We have two upcoming autumn birthdays, and nothing says autumn like apple pie! Totally making this!

    Reply
  13. Dawn says

    August 28, 2018 at 7:27 am

    5 stars
    I bet these smell amazing as they bake and fill up the house with such a wonderful aroma! Perfect with some coffee right about now 🙂

    Reply

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