Description
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are soft, buttery, and filled with warm spiced apple filling. Topped with luscious cream cheese icing, they’re the ultimate cozy baked treat for brunch or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough: 1 cup warm milk, 1 tbsp instant yeast, 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp salt, 4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cream for baking
Filling: 4 diced apples, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp all-spice, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp water, 1/2 cup softened butter
Icing: 8 oz cream cheese, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast dough
- Warm milk to 120–130 °F. Combine in a mixing bowl with a pinch of sugar and yeast. Let proof for ~5 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in salt, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
- Mix in flour ½ cup at a time until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 4–5 minutes until smooth and non-sticky.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, ~45–60 minutes.
- Make the apple filling
- In a pot, combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, all‑spice, salt, and vanilla. Simmer over medium heat, giving it a stir now and then, until the apples become tender—about 15 to 18 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water. Stir into filling and cook another minute until thickened. Remove from heat to cool to room temperature.
- Shape the rolls
- Roll the dough into a 20×20‑inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over it.
- Evenly spread the cooled apple filling to the edges. Roll the dough tightly into a log, pinch seams closed.
- Slice the log into 12 equal pieces with a serrated knife. Arrange them cut‑side up in a 9×13‑inch baking dish.
- Cover with a towel and allow the rolls to rise a second time for 30 to 45 minutes, or until they appear visibly puffy and airy. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
- Prepare the icing
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in vanilla, salt, confectioners’ sugar, and a few tablespoons of heavy cream until thick and creamy. Add more cream if needed to reach desired drizzling consistency.
- Bake the rolls
- Bake rolls for 10 minutes, then remove and gently pour the topping cream (¾ cup) over each roll. Return to the oven and bake another 25–28 minutes until tops turn golden.
- Finish with icing
- Once baked, immediately spread with the cream cheese icing while still warm. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples for best flavor. Rolls can be refrigerated before baking or frozen for later. Adjust icing consistency with more or less cream as needed.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 658
- Sugar: 56g
- Carbohydrates: 93g
- Protein: 8g