Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Introduction

These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls combine the warm spices of classic apple pie with soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls. Topped with a luscious cream cheese icing, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 package yeast (about 2 & 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 granny smith apples (peeled and diced)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon apple spice (optional)
• 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water, 1/4 cup sugar, and yeast. Set aside for 5-6 minutes until bubbly and yeast is activated.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, warm milk, and salt together. Add the yeast mixture.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 1 cup of flour, then another cup. When the mixture thickens, switch to a wooden spoon and add the remaining flour slowly until fully combined.
4. Step 4: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot (microwave or oven off) for 90 minutes.
5. Step 5: While the dough rises, prepare the apple filling by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt 5 tablespoons butter, add diced apples and 1/2 cup sugar, and sauté until lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Step 6: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×24 inch rectangle.
7. Step 7: Spread 2 tablespoons room temperature butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
8. Step 8: Mix brown sugar with cinnamon (and apple spice if using) and sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
9. Step 9: Evenly spread the apple filling over the sugar and spice mixture.
10. Step 10: Roll the dough lengthwise into a 24-inch log. Cut into 2-inch slices for 12 rolls or 3-inch slices for 8 larger rolls.
11. Step 11: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Place rolls about 1 inch apart, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour.
12. Step 12: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) about 20 minutes before baking. Bake rolls for 20 minutes or until edges are golden.
13. Step 13: Let rolls cool at least 15 minutes before topping with cream cheese frosting.
14. Step 14: To make the frosting, beat cream cheese, 4 tablespoons softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until light and fluffy. Spread over warm rolls and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast or swap half for sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp.
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the filling for added crunch.
• If you don’t have apple spice, a pinch of ground nutmeg or allspice works well.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a warm oven before serving to soften them. Frosting can be stored separately and added just before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes, after kneading, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise before assembling the rolls.

Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?

Absolutely. Freeze the assembled rolls before the second rise. Thaw overnight in the fridge, let them rise covered for about an hour, then bake as directed.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 139 reviews

• Author: Simon
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x

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Description

These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic flavors of apple pie with soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls, all topped with creamy, luscious cream cheese icing. A perfect treat for breakfast or dessert that’s bursting with warm spices, tender diced apples, and sweet cinnamon sugar rolled into every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 package yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Apple Pie Filling

• 5 Granny Smith apples (peeled and diced)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons melted butter

Roll Filling

• 2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon apple spice (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast and Make Dough: Combine lukewarm water, 1/4 cup sugar, and yeast in a small bowl; let sit for 5-6 minutes until bubbly and yeast activates. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, warm milk, and salt. Add the yeast mixture. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of flour, then another cup. Switch to a wooden spoon as mixture thickens, and add remaining flour until fully combined.
2. Knead and Proof Dough: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in a warm place (such as a turned-off oven or microwave) for 90 minutes until doubled in size.
3. Prepare Apple Filling: While the dough rises, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 tablespoons melted butter, then the peeled and diced apples and 1/2 cup sugar. Sauté until apples are lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Roll Out Dough and Add Fillings: After dough has risen, punch it down and roll onto a floured surface into a 16×24 inch rectangle. Spread 2 tablespoons room temperature butter evenly over dough leaving a 1/2-inch border. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional apple spice, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough. Spread the apple mixture over the sugar layer.
5. Form Rolls and Second Proof: Roll the dough lengthwise into a 24-inch log. Cut into 2-inch slices for 12 rolls or 3-inch slices for 8 larger rolls. Place rolls on a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan about 1 inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
6. Bake Rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) about 20 minutes before baking. Bake rolls for 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool at least 15 minutes before frosting.
7. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, room temperature butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt on medium speed until light and fluffy.
8. Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients where noted for better dough texture and easier mixing.
• Proofing dough in a warm but turned-off oven helps speed yeast activation.
• If apple spice is unavailable, substitute with a mix of nutmeg and allspice.
• Adjust sugar in the filling to taste depending on apple sweetness.
• Let rolls cool slightly before frosting to prevent frosting from melting off.
• These cinnamon rolls can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen before baking.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple pie cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, cream cheese frosting, baked breakfast pastries, apple cinnamon rolls