Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls – Cozy Fall Dessert
Turn your favorite breakfast classic into the ultimate dessert! 🍎🥧 These Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls combine gooey cinnamon-sugar swirls with warm apple pie filling for a decadent, fall-inspired treat. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or anytime you’re craving comfort food. Soft, sweet, and absolutely irresistible—you’ll want to make them again and again!
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rolling Pin
- 9x13-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
- Saucepan (for apple filling)
- Sharp knife or dough cutter
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 3 medium apples, peeled & diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry, optional for thickening)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit until foamy (5–10 minutes).
- Add sugar, butter, eggs, salt, and flour. Mix until dough forms. Knead 8–10 minutes (or use stand mixer).
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
Make the Apple Pie Filling
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until apples soften.
- If needed, add cornstarch slurry to thicken. Set aside to cool.
Roll & Fill the Dough
- Roll dough into a large rectangle (~16x12 inches).
- Spread softened butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture, and spoon apple filling evenly.
- Roll tightly from the long side, then cut into 12 rolls.
Second Rise
- Place rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes, until golden.
Make the Glaze
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Serve
- Spread glaze over warm rolls and enjoy!
Notes
- Apple choice matters: Granny Smith gives a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness.
- Make-ahead option: Prepare rolls up to step 4, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning.
- Freezer-friendly: Bake, cool, then freeze. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
- Dough shortcut: Crescent roll dough or pre-made pizza dough works if you want a quicker version.