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close-up of gooey apple pie cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Card

These apple pie cinnamon rolls combine soft, buttery dough with a gooey cinnamon-spiced apple filling, all topped with a sweet, creamy frosting. A perfect cozy treat for fall mornings, holidays, or anytime you crave pure comfort.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 rolls
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Dough:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
  • ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Apple Filling:

  • 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cornstarch

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp milk (to thin, if needed)

Instructions
 

  • Make the Dough:In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes). Cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
  • Prepare the Apple Filling:In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until apples soften (about 5 minutes). Stir in cornstarch and cook 1–2 minutes more until thickened. Cool slightly.
  • Assemble the Rolls:Roll out dough into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread cooled apple filling evenly over dough. Roll up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 even rolls.
  • Second Rise:Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch pan. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
  • Bake:Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Make the Frosting:Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Thin with milk if needed for drizzling consistency.
  • Frost and Serve:Spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve and enjoy the gooey, apple-pie-inspired goodness!

Notes

  • Use firm apples: Choose Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so the filling stays flavorful and not mushy.
  • Don’t overfill: Spread apple filling evenly and lightly — too much can cause the rolls to unroll or become soggy.
  • Warm your frosting slightly: Drizzling slightly warmed cream cheese frosting over warm rolls gives the perfect gooey melt.
Keyword apple cinnamon rolls, apple pie cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls