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Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

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  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

  • 1 ¼ cups whole milk (300 ml)
  • â…“ cup granulated sugar (divided (66 grams))
  • 1 ½ tbsp active yeast (14 grams)
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature (84 grams))
  • 2 large eggs (whisked)
  • 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour (701 grams)
  • ½ tsp salt

Apple Pie Filling:

  • 4 cups chopped apples (about 4 apples or 600 grams)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (110 grams)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • â…› tsp salt
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp water

Cinnamon Butter Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 113 grams)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (55 grams)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 cup cream cheese (room temperature (256 grams))
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature (84 grams))
  • 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar (218 grams)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • â…› tsp salt


Instructions

Dough:

  1. Warm the Milk: Heat the milk to 110°F. Pour into a large bowl or stand mixer bowl.
  2. Activate Yeast: Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and yeast to the milk. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Mix Ingredients: Add the remaining sugar, butter, and whisked eggs to the bowl. Mix for about 30 seconds using a spatula or mixer.
  4. Combine Dough: Add 5 cups of flour and salt. Mix with the paddle attachment until it forms a shaggy dough.
  5. Knead Dough: Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, knead by hand on a floured surface for 10 minutes. Add the remaining ½ cup of flour if the dough is too sticky.
  6. Form Dough Ball: Shape the dough into a smooth ball.
  7. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature (72°F) for about 2 hours.

Apple Pie Filling:

  1. Cook Filling: In a large saucepan, combine apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until apples are soft and the mixture thickens, about 12-15 minutes.
  2. Thicken Filling: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add to apples and cook until very thick, 1-2 minutes.
  3. Cool Filling: Transfer apples to a bowl, cover, and let cool to room temperature.

Cinnamon Butter Filling:

  1. Mix Ingredients: Combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Mix into a thick paste.

Assemble the Rolls:

  1. Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. Roll Dough: On a floured surface, roll dough into a 20×12-inch rectangle, about ½ inch thick.
  3. Add Fillings: Spread cinnamon butter evenly over dough, then add apple pie filling.
  4. Form Rolls: Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 even pieces. Use dental floss for neat cuts.
  5. Second Rise: Place rolls in the pan, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.

Bake the Rolls:

  1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for convection ovens).
  2. Bake: Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until edges are browned. If the center isn’t fully baked, cover with foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes.
  3. Cool Rolls: Let the rolls cool for 20 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1. Beat Ingredients: In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer for 1 minute until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and mix until smooth.
  2. Frost Rolls: Spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve after another 10 minutes.

Notes

Storage:

  • Room Temperature: Best served fresh but can be kept at room temperature for 1 day.
  • Fridge: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
  • Freezer: Freeze baked rolls, thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat before serving.

Notes:

  • Rising Time: Speed up the first rise by placing dough near a warm oven. Check frequently to avoid over-proofing.
  • Yeast: Instant yeast can be used instead of active yeast.
  • Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best. Dice small for even distribution.
  • Make-Ahead: Prepare apple filling ahead or assemble rolls a day before. Let rise at room temperature before baking.