Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

These are the best homemade cinnamon buns! Layered with rich apple pie filling, my cinnamon rolls have golden brown tops drizzled with tangy cream cheese frosting. Bake these to enjoy today – you don’t have to wait for them to rise overnight!

The flavors of apple pie inside a soft and fluffy cinnamon roll sounds like one sweet deal to me. I wanted to take these two comforting fall favorites and bring them together. Enter my scratch-made apple pie cinnamon rolls!

The smell of these apple cinnamon rolls baking will envelop your whole house. I say grab a cup of coffee, a new book, and one (or three) of these and call it a morning!

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade apple cinnamon rolls ready in just over an hour?

I took away time-constraint issues from this apple cinnamon rolls recipe. I used instant yeast and the dough for the rolls has just two ten-minute rest times to proof and rise. This recipe also uses pre-made apple pie filling to spread onto your yeasted dough. While they bake, whip together a tangy cream cheese frosting with cinnamon.

Soon you’ll be enjoying all the Fall feels with none of the hassle. See? Easy as (apple) pie.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s your shopping list for making these Fall-flavored cinnamon rolls. See the recipe card below for exact measurements of each ingredient.

For Dough:

• Milk – Whole milk
• Butter – Unsalted
• Instant yeast
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Kosher salt
• Egg

For Filling:

• Butter – Unsalted
• Granulated sugar
• Apple pie spice
• Cinnamon
• Apple pie filling – Finely chopped

For Frosting:

• Cream cheese – Plain and at room temperature.
• Butter – Unsalted and at room temperature.
• Powdered sugar
• Milk – Whole milk at room temperature.
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Kosher salt

How to Make Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s a step-by-step on how to make these easy cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling:

• Add the milk and butter to a glass measuring cup. Microwave for about 1
  minute, or until the milk is about 120-130 degrees F. Whisk the melted butter into the milk to
  combine.
• Add the instant yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer. Pour in the warmed milk mixture. Gently stir
  and let sit 1 minute.
• Add 3 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt, and egg to the stand mixer bowl. Using the paddle attachment, mix until the dough is combined and starting to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• Sprinkle in the other 3 tablespoon of the flour. Mix until you have a thick dough that no
  longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into a clean bowl. Add the dough and turn the dough ball around to coat on all sides.
• Cover the dough with a clean towel. Set aside in a warm area, and let it rise about 10
  minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet or pie
  dish.
• Place a skillet in the oven. Let the butter melt for 1-2 minutes. Remove the skillet and swirl the butter around to coat the bottom.
• Roll the dough. Use a lightly floured surface and roll until the dough is ¼ inch thick. Spread the softened butter over the top of the dough.
• Chop the apples in your apple pie filling into small cubes.
• Combine the sugar, the apple pie spice, and the cinnamon in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly on top of the butter.
• Top the dough with the apples. Place the chopped apple pie filling apples evenly on top of the dough.
• Cut 9 long strips of dough with a pizza cutter. Slowly roll each one tightly into a cinnamon roll shape.Tuck any loose apple cubes into the rolls as needed.
• Place the rolls in the prepared skillet. Cover with a clean towel, and let rise another 10
  minutes.
• Bake the cinnamon rolls for 28 to 35 minutes. They will be lightly golden brown on top and baked
  through in the center.
• Make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese and the butter on medium speed until smooth. Beat in
  the powdered sugar. Once no lumps of the sugar remain, add in the milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy.
• Frost the cinnamon rolls. Serve while warm.

Tips for Success

A few tips when making these homemade apple cinnamon rolls:

• Read through the recipe. Familiarize yourself with the recipe. It’s not too complicated, I promise!
• Use a pizza cutter. A pizza cutter will simplify cutting your dough into strips.
• Plan ahead. Set out the milk and cream cheese for the frosting as you gather your ingredients.

How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Rolls

Keep your extra rolls fresh so you can enjoy for breakfast tomorrow.

These will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 20 seconds.

Can I Freeze These?

Did you have leftover baked rolls? Here is how to freeze them.

• I recommend only freezing unfrosted rolls.
• If you aren’t planning to finish the whole pan, simply frost each roll individually. Then you can wrap up any baked rolls you didn’t eat for freezing.
• Wrapped tightly with plastic, these will keep for 1-2 months in the freezer.

Freezing Unbaked Cinnamon Rolls 

Make ahead and simply thaw before baking.

• To freeze: After you haver created your nine spiraled rolls, wrap them tightly in plastic or in an airtight container. You will want to immediately freeze them before the second ten minute rise.
• To thaw: at room temperature for 3-4 hours or overnight in your fridge. Bake as directed.

More Apple Recipes to Try

Try these other apple cinnamon flavored breakfast treats.

• Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Scones
• Homemade Apple Cider Donuts