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Home » Recipes » Bread & Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

September 26, 2022 by brooke 3 Comments

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Pillowy cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, and topped with a perfect vanilla buttercream frosting. They're irresistibly soft, and even better with the cinnamon sugar apple inside.

a cinnamon roll with apple pie filling on a plate with a bite on a fork.

Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling might just be the upgrade that every apple lover needs. I didn't think a cinnamon roll could get better, but I swear that filling makes them even softer and more moist. They're going to become a fall staple for sure.

If you're looking for other cinnamon roll recipes to try I have my Mom's famous cinnamon rolls that are very popular and oreo cinnamon rolls that are perfect for an oreo lover.

cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling with some frosted and some not.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE

MOIST & SOFT- These rolls practically melt in your mouth.

SO FLAVORFUL- The addition of the apple pie filling brings on so much extra flavor.

CAN PREPARE AHEAD- I have overnight instructions in the notes if you need to make these beforehand.

INGREDIENT NOTES

  • Apples- I like using sweet and tart apples, like granny smith or honey crisp.
  • Cornstarch- This will help thicken the juices, you can sub flour if you need to.
  • Milk- I use 2% usually, but have even used water in a pinch and it worked just fine.
  • Yeast- I always use active dry.
  • Eggs- Make sure they are room temperature.
  • Butter- Make sure it's soft.
  • Flour- Bread flour or all-purpose is great. I have never tried with wheat or gluten free.
a side view of cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling right after baking.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

START WITH THE APPLE PIE FILLING:

STEP ONE: To make filling, add butter to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until melted. Add apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and stir to combine.

STEP TWO: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Place in an airtight container and stick in the fridge until ready to use.

apples cooking
apple filling done and cooled

NOW LETS MAKE THE CINNAMON ROLLS:

STEP ONE: Pour milk, sugar and yeast into a large mixing bowl, stir together with a wooden spoon or dough whisk and let sit 10-15 minutes or until yeast is bubbly. Add butter and eggs and mix together again. Add salt and 2 cups of flour and mix. Continue adding flour in ½ cup increments until dough forms a ball and pulls away from sides of the bowl.

yeast after active
adding butter and eggs

STEP TWO: Pour dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3- 5 minutes, incorporating more flour if needed. Dough should not be sticky, but more of a soft and tacky feel.

STEP THREE: Place dough in greased bowl, cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled in size, about 1½ hours. Punch dough down and roll onto a floured surface. I try for a rectangle thats about 14x18.

dough before rise.
dough after rise.

STEP FOUR: Spread the room temperature butter into a thin and even layer, leaving about ½ inch on the bottom of the dough untouched so it can hold together. Sprinkle with the brown sugar, being careful for to tear the dough while you spread it. Then top with cinnamon. Remove apple pie filling and place the apples on top of the brown sugar/cinnamon.

STEP FIVE: Working from the long 18 inch end of the dough, tightly roll it up into a log. Place your hands at each end of the side and give it a gentle squeeze to help compact the dough. It may have stretched out a bit during the rolling process so this brings it back together. 

rolling dough into a log.
cutting into rolls.

STEP SIX: Cut the dough into 12 rolls total. I like to make little marking first to help make sure they are all about the same size. Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 pan (you could also use two 9″ round pans, placing 6 rolls in each). It’s OK if all of the rolls are touching. *If wanting to bake the following day read notes down below for instructions.

STEP SEVEN: Place in a warm spot, cover and let rise again until doubled in size. This takes about 45-60 minutes depending on how warm it is. You can always put them in your oven with the light on to help with warmth, but make sure you take them out to preheat your oven.

before rising.
after rising.

STEP EIGHT: Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake for 14-18 minutes or until the tops are a light golden brown. While they cool, make the frosting.

MAKE THE FROSTING:

Mix all frosting ingredients together until smooth and creamy. You might need to add a little bit more powdered sugar or milk to get your desired consistency. Frost cinnamon rolls once cooled.

cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling baked before frosting.
cinnamon rolls after frosted.

OVERNIGHT OPTION

After cutting and placing the rolls in the pan, cover in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. Before baking the next day, allow the rolls to rest at room temperature (covered) for about 45 minutes. They may not puff up but that’s OK. Follow the same baking instructions. I love doing this to have fresh rolls the morning of a holiday. 

FAQ

Can I use canned apple pie filling?

Yes, you will just want to drain off some of the juice and dice up the apples very small.

How can you tell if cinnamon roll dough is done rising?

You can tell if you're dough is done rising if when you lightly tough the dough with your finger, the dough springs back, then you know it is ready.

Why did my cinnamon rolls turn out dry?

The usual reason for a dry cinnamon roll is too much flour. You want to make sure your dough stays sticky before letting it rise the first time.

cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling being taken out of the pan.

STORING AND FREEZING

Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days while remaining fresh. Refrigerating them will make them dry out quicker.

FREEZING

You can freeze freshly baked cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for 3 months to keep fresh. I will individually wrap them in saran wrap and then pull them out one at a time when needed for a quick breakfast. You can also freeze the whole pan, just allow to come to room temperature before serving.

close up of frosted cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling.

OTHER RECIPES WITH APPLES

Apple Cider Cookies

Blackberry and Apple Crumble

Amish Apple Fritter Bread

For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do. 

Make sure to leave a star review below!

a cinnamon roll with apple pie filling on a plate with a bite on a fork.

Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filing

brooke
Pillowy cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, and topped with a perfect vanilla buttercream frosting. They're irresistibly soft, and even better with the cinnamon sugar apple inside.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 15 mins
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 396 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Apple Pie Filling

  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 3 medium apples peeled and diced very small
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Cinnamon Roll Dough

  • ½ cup milk warm
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yeast I use active dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs room temp
  • 6 tablespoon butter softened
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2¾-4 cups bread flour all-purpose can be used also

For the Filling

  • 2-3 tablespoon butter softened
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • 4 tablespoon butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoon cream or milk
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Apple Pie Filling

  • To make filling, add butter to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until melted. Add apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Place in an airtight container and stick in the fridge until ready to use.

Cinnamon Rolls

  • Pour milk, sugar and yeast into a large mixing bowl, stir together with a wooden spoon or dough whisk and let sit 10-15 minutes or until yeast is bubbly.
  • Add butter and eggs and mix together again.
  • Add salt and 2 cups of flour and mix. Continue adding flour in ½ cup increments until dough forms a ball and pulls away from sides of the bowl.
  • Pour dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3- 5 minutes, incorporating more flour if needed. Dough should not be sticky, but more of a soft and tacky feel.
  • Place dough in greased bowl, cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
  • Punch dough down and roll onto a floured surface. I try for a rectangle thats about 14x18.
  • Spread the room temperature butter into a thin and even layer, leaving about ½ inch on the bottom of the dough untouched so it can hold together.
  • Sprinkle with the brown sugar, being careful for to tear the dough while you spread it. Then top with cinnamon.
  • Remove apple pie filling and place the apples on top of the brown sugar/cinnamon.
  • Working from the long 18 inch end of the dough, tightly roll it up into a log. Place your hands at each end of the side and give it a gentle squeeze to help compact the dough. It may have stretched out a bit during the rolling process so this brings it back together. 
  • Cut the dough into 12 rolls total. I like to make little marking first to help make sure they are all about the same size.
  • Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 pan (you could also use two 9″ round pans, placing 6 rolls in each). It’s OK if all of the rolls are touching. *If wanting to bake the following day read notes down below for instructions.
  • Place in a warm spot, cover and let rise again until doubled in size. This takes about 45-60 minutes depending on how warm it is. You can always put them in your oven with the light on to help with warmth, but make sure you take them out to preheat your oven.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Bake for 14-18 minutes or until the tops are a light golden brown. While they cool, make the frosting.

To make the frosting:

  • Mix all frosting ingredients together until smooth and creamy. You might need to add a little bit more powdered sugar or milk to get your desired consistency.
  • Let rolls cool a bit before frosting or it will melt.

Notes

You can used canned apple pie filling if preferred. Just drain off most of the liquid filling and dice the apples very small.
OVERNIGHT CINNAMON ROLLS – After cutting and placing the rolls in the pan, cover in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. Before baking the next day, allow the rolls to rest at room temperature (covered) for about 45 minutes. They may not puff up but that’s OK. Follow the same baking instructions. I love doing this to have fresh rolls the morning of a holiday. 
If you want to bake the rolls the night before you want to eat them, rewarm in the oven at 275 F for about 8-10 minutes.
I have used water instead of milk before and it works too. Not as rich of a dough, but great none the less.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 138mgFiber: 2gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 501IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple pie filling, Cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, vanilla buttercream
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dana Marchant

    September 29, 2022 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    Might be better than regular cinnamon rolls. Delicious!

    Reply
  2. Amelia

    October 03, 2022 at 3:21 am

    5 stars
    These turned out really yummy, and were even accepted by my dad who doesn't like cinnamon rolls as they are too sweet - the apple in these really balances out the sweetness

    Reply
    • brooke

      October 03, 2022 at 3:00 pm

      Oh I love that! Thank you so much for trying them and coming back to share!

      Reply

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