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These cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling are like mini apple pies with a cinnamon roll crust! Topped with cream cheese frosting, good luck stopping at one.
Why choose between cinnamon rolls and apple pie when these gooey, fluffy rolls have the best of both worlds?
These apple pie cinnamon rolls are indulgent, comforting, and easy enough that you’ll actually want to make them.
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They say cinnamon rolls are intimidating, but once you try them, you might make them again and again! Skip the basic recipes and try our TikTok cinnamon rolls and strawberry cinnamon rolls.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling Recipe
- These apple filled cinnamon rolls are like two desserts in one, perfect for when you can’t decide between an apple pie and cinnamon rolls!
- These apple pie cinnamon rolls are easier than they look, and they even use canned apple pie filling.
- Fluffy, spiced just right, and topped with decadent cream cheese frosting, these cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling are a sure way to please a crowd this holiday season (or any occasion, to be honest).
Ingredients
DOUGH INGREDIENTS:
Egg – Lends moisture to the dough.
All-purpose flour – For crave-worthy, fluffy apple pie cinnamon rolls, stick with good old all-purpose flour.
Milk – Make sure your milk is warm to activate the yeast.
Butter – For a softer dough.
Active dry yeast – We used active dry yeast for these cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling.
Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and acts as the food for yeast.
Kosher salt – For structure and flavor.
Cooking oil – For greasing the bowl.
APPLE PIE FILLING INGREDIENTS:
Apple pie filling – You can make your cinnamon roll pie filling from scratch, but feel free to grab your favorite canned filling for convenience!
Butter – For extra luscious apple stuffed cinnamon rolls.
Brown sugar – Its rich molasses flavor makes it the best sweetener for spiced apples!
Ground cinnamon – Feel free to add your favorite warm spice or use a spice blend like apple pie spice to give these apple desserts the best cozy flavors.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS:
Cream cheese – You can top the rolls with any cinnamon roll icing you love, but it’s honestly tough to beat a good cream cheese frosting. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor!
Milk – Helps stabilize the frosting.
Butter – Lends richness and lightens the frosting.
Powdered sugar – Thickens and sweetens the frosting.
Vanilla extract – To round out the decadent cream cheese frosting.
Ingredient Substitutions For Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Instant yeast
You can use instant yeast for these cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling if that’s what you have on hand.
You don’t need to mix it with warm milk and sugar, and the rise time will be about 15 minutes shorter.
Homemade apple pie filling
Want to learn how to make apple pie filling from scratch? Select apple varieties that hold their shape well (Think Gala and/or Granny Smith).
Peel and dice 3 apples and toss them with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour.
Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and cook the mixture over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally and adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of water as needed.
Vanilla ice cream
If you don’t have the time or extra ingredients to make the frosting for these apple filled cinnamon rolls, just serve them with vanilla ice cream on top!
Tips For Making This Recipe
Don’t Over-Knead
For perfectly fluffy cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, knead the dough just enough to bring it together. Over-kneading leads to tough rolls!
Use Warm Milk
Make sure your milk is around 110ºF. If it’s too hot, it’ll kill the yeast.
Toppings to Try
Add a special twist to these apple pie cinnamon rolls with toppings like chocolate chips, chopped toasted pecans, or raisins!
Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Pie Filling Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling for this apple pie cinnamon roll recipe?
Sure! You can peel and chop 2 medium apples. To assemble the cinnamon roll log, spread 6 tablespoons of softened butter over your dough, top it with cinnamon brown sugar and chopped apples, then just tightly roll up the log.
How do you keep the filling from falling out of apple pie cinnamon rolls?
Make sure the apple pie filling is spread evenly over the dough so it doesn’t spill out of the rolls. You can also gently loosen the rolled-up spiral, then use the edge of the dough to “cover” the top of your apple pie stuffed cinnamon rolls.
Can I use canned cinnamon rolls for this cinnamon roll apple pie recipe?
We haven’t tested this recipe with canned cinnamon rolls yet, but they should work for muffin tin apple pie cinnamon buns. Just roll out the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, press them into a muffin pan, fill them with your apple pie filling, and bake for about 15 minutes at 375°F.
How do I prevent the cinnamon rolls from getting soggy?
To keep your apple pie filling cinnamon rolls from getting soggy, make sure the apple filling you’re using is not too watery.
What is the best way to store cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling?
You can store these apple pie filled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
More Delicious Quick Easy Desserts
- Apple Pie Milkshake
- Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Caramel Apple Tart
- Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats
Snicker Apple Salad
I found this recipe for Apple Spice Cupcakes that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
FOR THE DOUGH:
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk, warm
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Cooking oil for greasing the pan
FOR THE APPLE PIE FILLING:
- 1 21-oz can apple pie filling
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
FOR THE DOUGH:
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm milk and yeast.
- Whisk the egg in a separate small bowl, then add it to the yeast mixture along with the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes or until it becomes frothy.
- Mix in the flour, the remaining sugar, and the salt until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Lightly flour a clean surface with about 1/4 cup of flour. Knead the dough for 2 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with cooking oil and place the dough inside. Make sure the dough is lightly coated in oil, then cover it with a damp cloth.
- Turn off the oven and place the bowl inside to let the dough rise for 30 minutes. To check if it’s ready, press two fingers into the dough. If the indentation stays, let it rise a bit longer.
- After the first rise, punch down the dough to release the air. Cover it again and let it rest for another 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.
FOR THE FILLING:
- Cut the apples from the store-bought apple pie filling into pieces about ½ inch thick.
- Mix the chopped apples with the brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
ASSEMBLY:
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 16 x 21-inch rectangle.
- Spread the apple pie mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll the cinnamon roll dough tightly from one long side and press the edge to seal.
- Slice the log into 9 equal pieces.
- Place the slices in a greased 9 × 13-inch baking pan, cover with a damp cloth, and let them rise for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
BAKING:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Uncover the rolls and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let them rest in the baking dish for 5 minutes.
- Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the frosting.
FOR THE FROSTING:
- Whip together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the milk and mix until the frosting is creamy and lump-free.
- Drizzle the frosting over the warm rolls before serving. Enjoy your homemade apple pie cinnamon rolls!
Notes
- For perfectly fluffy cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, knead the dough just enough to bring it together. Over-kneading leads to tough rolls!
- Make sure your milk is around 110ºF. If it’s too hot, it’ll kill the yeast.
- Add a special twist to these apple pie cinnamon rolls with toppings like chocolate chips, chopped toasted pecans, or raisins!
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!