Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling, an easy cinnamon roll recipe loaded with apple pie filling make the perfect fall breakfast treat. Simple to make & incredibly good.
My family is crazy for cinnamon, which makes fall their favorite season. Seems once the weather gets a little chilly we make more frequent stops over to visit our friend farmer Joe & we always come home with flats & flats of apples.
Be sure to try our Instant Pot Apple Cider & Apple Cider Donut Cake!
This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I’m a contributor.
All those apples usually result in an overload of apple butter, cinnamon applesauce & a whole lot of apple pie filling. All of which are loaded with, you guessed it…..cinnamon.
The house smells incredible & I’m often looking for new & creative ways to use all these apple-cinnamon creations.
apple pie cinnamon rolls recipe
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Because of our love for cinnamon, we also have a huge love for cinnamon rolls. When I was expecting my son we lived close to a place that makes HANDS-DOWN the most AMAZING cinnamon rolls or really, I think they were sticky buns. But delicious all the same. I bought one every single day on my way to work.
I’m sure that is why my son has such an obsession with cinnamon now. I practically lived on them at the time. Fortunately, I was so young that my metabolism was super fast & even though I was pregnant, I could still eat just about anything I could ever want. It was blissful.
Now my son is older than I was at that time & things are different. We have since moved far from that town & we don’t have a lot of choices for cinnamon rolls. So that means I have to make them- which is a good thing in a lot of ways.
The other day we went out to breakfast at a place we had never visited before. We weren’t that thrilled with everything but then ordered some cinnamon rolls to bring home in hopes they could redeem themselves.
Well- it was a colossal disappointment. What we ended up with was more in line with a dinner roll that had a ribbon of cinnamon through it. Not what we were hoping for. So it was a good thing that I had this “go-to” recipe to fall back on.
I pulled out my casserole dishes & made sure to make a double batch of these super easy & delicious cinnamon rolls that I know will rival any bakery in town.
Here are some commonly asked questions
Can I make this recipe with another flavor of pie filling?
Yes- of course you can make this any flavor pie filling you like. They are certainly delicious no matter what you stuff them with.
Why Make Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Making cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling adds a delightful twist to the traditional cinnamon roll recipe. The combination of the soft, sweet dough of the cinnamon roll with the flavorful, spiced apple pie filling creates a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.
Here are a few reasons why people might choose to make cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling:
- Flavor Combination: The combination of cinnamon, sugar, and apple creates a comforting and delicious flavor profile.
- Variation: Adding apple pie filling to cinnamon rolls adds an element of surprise and variety.
- Seasonal Twist: If you’re baking during the fall season when apples are abundant and apple pies are popular, incorporating apple pie filling can infuse your cinnamon rolls with a seasonal touch.
- Texture Contrast: The soft and gooey texture of the cinnamon roll dough contrasts nicely with the tender yet slightly firm texture of the apple pie filling.
- Visual Appeal: The swirls of apple pie filling throughout the cinnamon roll create a visually appealing pattern that can be quite enticing.
- Combining Favorites: Cinnamon rolls and apple pie are both beloved desserts.
What is the best way to store leftover cinnamon rolls?
The easiest way is to add some plastic wrap or foil over the top of the baking dish & store at room temperature. If you live in an overly humid or extremely dry climate, these cinnamon rolls will keep better if you refrigerate them.
This way it is more climate-controlled & they will stay fresh for the longest possible time. Please enjoy them within 2-3 days.
More Great Cinnamon Roll Recipes
Super Easy Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
One-Hour Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
Caramel Macchiato Cinnamon Rolls
How many can this serve?
This recipe makes 12 rolls. They are a decent size & VERY filling. My girls & I have a hard time eating a whole one in one sitting.
If you have a smaller appetite or don’t want to be completely stuffed with your eyes bulging out of your face for hours on end, you could get away with half of a roll at a time.
If you are feeding super hungry boys – then you might want to make a double batch. 😉
homemade cinnamon rolls
Can this recipe be doubled?
Theoretically yes. However, I use my largest mixer to handle this dough & it fills it. So if you are not using a mixer to kneed the dough & have plenty of room, then I suppose you could double this & then divide between 2 baking dishes for 24 rolls.
Or do as I do & just make them back to back. Takes a bit longer, but so worth it.
Can this recipe be halved?
I haven’t tried making a half-batch for this recipe yet. The trick would be cutting that egg in half. You could use an egg substitute so it makes it easier for that portion of the recipe.
Or you could make the recipe as it is written & then freeze whatever portion you won’t use immediately or share with friends.
HOW DO YOU MAKE Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls?
- Add the yeast to 1/2 cup of room-temperature water.
- Stir with a spoon and set aside while you prep the other ingredients.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add shortening, sugar, hot water, and salt & beat for 30 seconds.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Add in 2 cups of flour & mix until smooth.
- Mix in yeast mixture until well combined.
- Mix in the beaten eggs.
- Gradually stir in the remaining flour & mix with the dough hook -about 2 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl & place on a lightly floured counter.
- Coat hands in flour & knead by hand, add a little flour if the dough is still too sticky.
- Knead until the dough feels smooth.
- Put the dough in a greased bowl & cover with a towel.
- Let dough rise for 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Remove the dough from the bowl & place it on a lightly floured counter again.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle.
- Spread butter over the dough.
- Sprinkle dough with brown sugar & cinnamon/sugar mixture.
- Spread apple pie filling on top.
- Gently roll up the dough into one long roll.
- Cut rolls into 12 even slices using a dough cutter.
- Place rolls into a greased 9X13 baking pan.
- Place rolls in a warm spot & cover with a towel.
- Let rolls rise until double in size, about an hour.
- Bake rolls at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove pans from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In a small bowl, combine milk & confectioners sugar, and whisk until smooth.
- Pour frosting over rolls and serve.
Can I use Gluten-Free flour?
I’m not sure just yet. I have been meaning to give this a try but haven’t had a chance. If you do try this, I would recommend using a 1:1 flour like this one as I don’t believe it would require additional ingredients that are typically called for when trying to make bread-type recipes in a gluten-free version. Please come back & tell me how they turned out.
What to serve with Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling are a delicious treat on their own, but if you’re looking to create a well-rounded meal or spread, you might want to consider some complementary dishes.
Here are a few ideas for what you can serve alongside your cinnamon rolls:
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A light and refreshing fruit salad can balance out the sweetness of the cinnamon rolls.
- Yogurt Parfait: Serve individual yogurt parfaits with layers of yogurt, granola, and mixed berries. .
- Scrambled Eggs: If you’re serving cinnamon rolls for breakfast or brunch, scrambled eggs can provide a savory element to the meal. Add some chopped herbs, cheese, or diced vegetables to the eggs for extra flavor.
- Breakfast Sausages: Sausages, whether pork, chicken, or plant-based, can add a savory component that complements the sweet and spiced flavors of the cinnamon rolls.
- Quiche: A savory quiche filled with vegetables, cheese, and maybe some ham or bacon can offer a balanced contrast to the sweetness of the rolls.
- Bacon or Turkey Bacon: Crispy bacon or turkey bacon is another savory option that pairs well with sweet cinnamon rolls.
- Frittata: A frittata made with eggs, cheese, and vegetables is a versatile dish that can be customized to your taste and served warm or at room temperature.
- Sliced Ham or Turkey: Thin slices of ham or turkey can provide a protein-rich option that contrasts with the sweet rolls.
- Tea or Coffee: Serve your cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee to complete the breakfast or brunch experience.
- Smoothies: Blend up a nutritious smoothie with fruits, vegetables, and your choice of milk or yogurt for a refreshing and healthful accompaniment.
- Fresh Juice: Serve freshly squeezed orange juice or another fruit juice for a refreshing and tangy drink.
What type of bakeware should I use?
For a long while I used glass baking dishes like pyrex. However, since I last photographed these cinnamon rolls I have had to make some changes.
Due to some safety concerns with baking glass cookware (mainly many people having their pans shatter after being baked at high temperatures), I ask that you please use a metal, Corningware or Enameled Cast Iron baking dish.
Can you freeze apple pie cinnamon rolls?
Yes, these cinnamon rolls can be frozen. Just bake the rolls according to the recipe instructions & then portion out whatever you aren’t going to enjoy within 2-3 days.
Then just wrap the rolls in plastic wrap & then with foil. Make sure to label with the date before putting in the freezer. Use within 2-3 months.
I recommend adding the icing to just the rolls that you plan on enjoying right away & then adding more icing to the others once you are ready to eat them. They are definitely better with fresh icing.
Apple Pie Filling Recipes
Ingredients for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Dough
- yeast
- shortening
- granulated sugar
- all-purpose flour
- hot water
- egg -beaten
- salt
Filling
- softened butter
- light brown sugar
- apple pie filling
- cinnamon/sugar mix
Frosting
- confectioners sugar
- milk
Variations
Absolutely, there are numerous variations you can explore when making cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling. Here are a few ideas to get your creative baking juices flowing:
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add a layer of caramel sauce along with the apple pie filling before rolling up the dough.
- Streusel Topping: Top your cinnamon rolls with a streusel made from a mixture of flour, butter, sugar, and spices.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: nstead of a traditional glaze, top your apple pie cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting.
- Nutty Delight: Incorporate chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, into the apple pie filling or sprinkle them on top of the rolls before baking.
- Spiced Drizzle: Drizzle the baked rolls with spiced icing made from powdered sugar, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of milk or cream.
- Whole Wheat or Gluten-Free Dough: Experiment with using whole wheat or gluten-free dough for a healthier or dietary-friendly option.
- Apple Varieties: Try using different apple varieties for your filling. Some apples are sweeter, while others are more tart, allowing you to adjust the flavor balance to your liking.
- Chunky Filling: Instead of spreading the filling, use larger chunks of apples within the rolls for a rustic feel and a burst of apple flavor in every bite.
- Mini Rolls: Make smaller rolls for bite-sized treats, perfect for serving at parties or gatherings.
- Add Raisins or Cranberries: Incorporate raisins or dried cranberries into the apple pie filling for extra bursts of sweetness and a different texture.
- Savory Twist: Add a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh rosemary to the filling to create a savory-sweet combination that’s unique and unexpected.
Remember, baking is all about experimentation and creativity, so feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own variations. The goal is to create a treat that delights your taste buds and brings joy to your kitchen.
Tips, Tricks, and Suggestions
- When making these gooey cinnamon rolls try changing them up with caramel syrup, melted butter, ice cream, your own homemade apple pie filling, and cream cheese icing. These are great when served as a breakfast on Christmas morning or as an easy dessert recipe – depending on how you serve it. It is sure to take the experience to the next level.
- Every oven bakes a little differently, so if the tops get too brown, you can tent the top with aluminum foil to prevent this sweet treat from over-browning.
- Choose whatever brand of sweet apple pie filling you like.
- Be sure to use the dough hook attachment when making the dough for these classic desserts.
- You can use unsalted butter or salted butter when making these warm cinnamon rolls – whatever you prefer.
- If you would like to simplify things next time, you could try taking cans of cinnamon rolls (your favorite brand of cinnamon rolls) and either sweet apples or canned apple pie filling, and some warm cinnamon spice and bake those together. You could do it like a cinnamon roll casserole (cobbler-style dessert) or like traditional cinnamon buns.
- This would be great to try this with apple filling paired with pie dough crusts and the original icing as an added bonus.
Products I love when making Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls…
This Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls recipe is so EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me during the fall season, you probably already have many of these items on hand!
OR maybe you have never made homemade cinnamon rolls before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love how easy this breakfast treat is to make. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this yummy treat.
- 1:1 gluten-free flour
- all-purpose flour
- pro-6 qt mixer
- yeast
- shortening
- granulated sugar
- table salt
- light brown sugar
- apple pie filling
- cinnamon/sugar mix
- confectioners sugar
- metal baking dish
- Corningware baking dish
- Enameled Cast Iron baking dish
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
More Delicious Cinnamon Recipes
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookie Bars
One-Hour Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake
Copycat Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter
cinnamon roll apple pie
If you love this Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls recipe, you’re going to love these other quick & easy breakfast recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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best cinnamon rolls recipe
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Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2¼ tsp yeast (or 1 packet, dissolved in ½ cup room temperature water)
- 3 tbsp shortening (Crisco)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 egg beaten
- 3 tsp salt
Filling
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 20 ounces apple pie filling ½ can
- ¼ cup cinnamon/sugar mix
Frosting:
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Add the yeast to a ½ cup of room temperature water.
- Stir with a spoon and set aside while you prep the other ingredients.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the shortening, sugar, hot water, and salt and beat for 30 seconds.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Add in 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth.
- Stir in the yeast mixture until well combined.
- Mix in the beaten eggs.
- Gradually stir in the remaining flour and mix with the dough hook – about 2 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured counter.
- Coat your hands in flour and knead by hand, add a little flour if the dough is still too sticky.
- Knead until the dough feels smooth.
- Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel.
- Let the dough rise for 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured counter again.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle.
- Spread the butter over the dough.
- Sprinkle the dough with the brown sugar and cinnamon/sugar mixture.
- Spread the apple pie filling on top.
- Gently roll up the dough into one long roll.
- Cut the rolls into 12 even slices using a dough cutter or sharp knife.
- Place the rolls into a greased 9X13 baking pan.
- Set the rolls in a warm spot and cover them with a towel.
- Let the rolls rise until they have doubled in size, about an hour.
- Bake the rolls at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In a small bowl, combine milk and confectioners sugar, whisk until smooth.
- Pour the frosting over rolls and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Taste of the Frontier cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
