Go Back

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Gooey cinnamon rolls filled with fresh apple pie filling and coated with caramel cream cheese frosting. They're the perfect fall twist to classic cinnamon rolls. Great for a holiday breakfast!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 1 cup whole milk warmed to about 100°F
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 packets active dry or instant yeast
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 ½ cups flour
Cinnamon Filling
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp salt
Apple Pie Filling
  • 5-6 apples
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup caramel topping caramel dip or ice cream topping

Method
 

Dough
  1. Warm the milk to about 100 °F. Whisk the milk, 2 tsp of sugar, and yeast together in a bowl. Cover and allow to sit until bubbling, at least 5 minutes.
  2. Divide the butter into 4 pieces. After yeast mixture is foamy, beat in the remaining sugar and butter, until butter is broken up into small pieces.
  3. Add the eggs and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined.
  4. On low speed, add the flour 1 cup at a time. After all flour has been incorporated, beat until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  5. Beat on low speed or knead by hand for an additional 3 minutes. If kneading by hand, do so on a floured surface.
  6. Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough into the bowl and cover. Allow to rise for about 2 hours or until double in size.
  7. Punch down the dough. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and roll into a large rectangle, about 12x18 inches.
  8. Spread cinnamon filling evenly across dough and then top with apple filling.
  9. Roll dough into a large 'log' shape. Using a very sharp knife, cut into about 12 rolls.
  10. Place rolls into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Cover and let rise for about an hour.
  11. Right before putting the rolls in the oven, warm the heavy cream and pour over top of the cinnamon buns.
  12. Bake at 350 °F for about 25-28 minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Let cinnamon rolls cool slightly and spread frosting over the top.
Apple Filling
  1. Peel, core, and dice apples.
  2. In a saucepan, add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and flour. Heat over medium-low heat mixing often.
  3. Once apples soften and liquid starts to to thicken, set aside to cool.
Cinnamon filling
  1. Beat butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl for about 3 minutes or until well combined.
Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. Cream together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
  3. Pour the caramel into the frosting and beat to incorporate.