Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk, 105-115°F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for yeast
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 3 apples, medium, peeled, cored, and diced (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, as needed for consistency
For Baking
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, for drizzling
- unsalted butter, as needed, for greasing pan
Instructions
- 1
Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk (105-115°F), 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Prepare the Dough: To the activated yeast mixture, add the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter, large eggs, plain Greek yogurt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt. Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and knead on medium-low speed for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
⏱️ 20 min
- 3
First Rise: Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with butter or cooking spray. Transfer the dough to the greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm, draft-free place and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min
- 4
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: While the dough is rising, combine the diced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add the cornstarch slurry to the apples, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Stir in 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until melted. Remove from heat and let the apple pie filling cool completely.
⏱️ 20 min
- 5
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly until a thick, spreadable paste forms.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Roll and Fill the Dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches. Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small 1/2-inch border along one of the long edges. Then, spread the cooled apple pie filling evenly over the cinnamon sugar layer.
⏱️ 15 min
- 7
Roll and Slice the Rolls: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Once rolled, use a piece of dental floss (unflavored works best) or a very sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal rolls, each about 1 1/2 inches thick.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Second Rise: Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Arrange the cut cinnamon rolls in the prepared dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until the rolls are puffy and nearly touching.
⏱️ 45 min
- 9
Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Once the rolls have completed their second rise, drizzle them evenly with 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fully combined and smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add milk or heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency.
⏱️ 10 min
- 11
Frost and Serve: Remove the baked cinnamon rolls from the oven. Let them cool in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes. While still warm, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the rolls. If desired, spoon any remaining apple pie filling over the top of the frosted rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy warm!
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk, 105-115°F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for yeast
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 3 apples, medium, peeled, cored, and diced (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, as needed for consistency
For Baking
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, for drizzling
- unsalted butter, as needed, for greasing pan
Instructions
- 1
Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk (105-115°F), 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Prepare the Dough: To the activated yeast mixture, add the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter, large eggs, plain Greek yogurt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt. Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and knead on medium-low speed for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
⏱️ 20 min - 3
First Rise: Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with butter or cooking spray. Transfer the dough to the greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm, draft-free place and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
⏱️ 90 min - 4
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling: While the dough is rising, combine the diced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add the cornstarch slurry to the apples, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Stir in 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until melted. Remove from heat and let the apple pie filling cool completely.
⏱️ 20 min - 5
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly until a thick, spreadable paste forms.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Roll and Fill the Dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12x18 inches. Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a small 1/2-inch border along one of the long edges. Then, spread the cooled apple pie filling evenly over the cinnamon sugar layer.
⏱️ 15 min - 7
Roll and Slice the Rolls: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Once rolled, use a piece of dental floss (unflavored works best) or a very sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal rolls, each about 1 1/2 inches thick.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Second Rise: Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Arrange the cut cinnamon rolls in the prepared dish, leaving a little space between each roll. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until the rolls are puffy and nearly touching.
⏱️ 45 min - 9
Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Once the rolls have completed their second rise, drizzle them evenly with 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fully combined and smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add milk or heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency.
⏱️ 10 min - 11
Frost and Serve: Remove the baked cinnamon rolls from the oven. Let them cool in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes. While still warm, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the rolls. If desired, spoon any remaining apple pie filling over the top of the frosted rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy warm!
⏱️ 10 min