Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls bring together two classic favorites in one delicious treat. Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls are filled with warm, spiced apple pie filling, creating a perfect balance of gooey cinnamon sweetness and tender apples. The smell alone is enough to make anyone smile and feel cozy inside.
I love making these when I want something a little extra special for breakfast or a weekend brunch. The apple filling adds a fresh, fruity twist that makes these rolls feel like a celebration, even if it’s just a regular day. Plus, the cinnamon-sugar dough turns golden and sticky, which is just plain irresistible.
My favorite way to serve these is fresh out of the oven with a drizzle of simple glaze or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if it’s after dinner. They’re perfect for sharing with family or friends, and I find that making them together turns into a fun activity full of laughs and tasty results. These rolls make any morning feel a little sweeter and more memorable.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Yeast & Milk: Active dry yeast needs warm milk (around 110°F) to activate properly. If you’re out of whole milk, you can use 2% or even plant milk like oat or almond, but keep it warm and unsweetened.
Apples: I like Granny Smith for a tart flavor, but Honeycrisp or Fuji add sweetness. Just make sure to chop them finely so they cook through evenly inside the rolls.
Butter & Sugar: Unsalted butter is best so you control salt levels, and brown sugar gives a nice depth. If needed, coconut oil can replace butter in a pinch for a dairy-free option.
Spices: Cinnamon is the star here. Nutmeg adds warmth, but if you don’t have it, you can skip or substitute with a pinch of ground cloves or allspice.
Streusel Topping: This is optional but so worth it for crunch. Nuts add texture but feel free to leave it out if you want simpler rolls or have allergies.
Powdered Sugar Glaze: Simple to make and adds that classic sweet finish. You can swap milk for a bit of orange juice for a citrus twist.
How Do You Get Soft, Fluffy Dough That Rises Well?
The dough is the heart of these cinnamon rolls. Here’s how I get it just right:
- Warm the milk: It should feel like a warm bath, not hot. Too hot and it kills the yeast, too cold and the yeast won’t activate.
- Let yeast bloom: Sprinkle yeast on warm milk and wait 5-10 minutes until foamy to ensure it’s active.
- Knead well: Kneading develops gluten, which gives you that soft, stretchy dough. About 5-7 minutes by hand or with a mixer works great.
- First rise: Cover dough and place in a warm spot (like an off oven or sunny windowsill). Patience here leads to fluffy rolls.
- Second rise after shaping: Letting the cut rolls rise again ensures they bake up tall and tender, with good texture inside.
Following these steps gives you dough that’s pillowy soft, slightly chewy, and perfect for holding that sweet apple filling.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – I use a big bowl so the dough has plenty of space to rise comfortably.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts, especially with yeast and spices.
- Kitchen towel or plastic wrap – to cover the dough while it rises, keeping it warm and moist.
- Rolling pin – makes it easy to roll out the dough into a rectangle for spreading and filling.
- Sharp knife or dental floss – to cut the rolled dough into even slices without squishing the filling.
- Baking dish (9×13-inch recommended) – to hold the rolls during their second rise and baking.
- Mixing bowls for fillings and toppings – to prepare the apple filling, streusel, and glaze.
- Brush or spatula – to spread butter evenly and add toppings smoothly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Different fruit fillings: Swap apples for pears, cherries, or berries to change the flavor and color.
- Cheesecake swirl: Add dollops of cream cheese mixed with sugar and vanilla inside the rolls for an extra creamy twist.
- Nutty crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel for added texture and flavor.
- Spice mixes: Add a pinch of ginger, cardamom, or cloves to the cinnamon to customize the spice profile.
Apple Pie Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed (around 110°F / 43°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (more as needed)
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 2 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, to brighten flavor)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Streusel Topping (optional):
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and diced
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare the dough and filling, 1 to 1.5 hours for the first rise, 30-45 minutes for the second rise, and 25-30 minutes to bake. Overall, plan for about 2.5 to 3 hours including rising time, but the hands-on part is quite quick and easy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Sprinkle the yeast over warm milk in a large bowl and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg, then mix well. Slowly add flour while stirring until the dough comes together. Knead on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 to 1.5 hours).
2. Make the Apple Filling:
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional lemon juice. Cook for 5 minutes until apples soften. Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
3. Prepare the Streusel Topping (Optional):
Mix walnuts, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside.
4. Roll Out and Fill Dough:
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling on top. Finally, spread the cooled apple filling evenly over everything.
5. Form and Cut the Rolls:
Start rolling the dough from a long edge into a tight log. Cut the log into 9 to 12 even slices using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss.
6. Arrange Rolls and Add Topping:
Place rolls spaced apart in a greased baking dish. If using, sprinkle the streusel topping over the rolls.
7. Second Rise:
Cover loosely and let the rolls rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
8. Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
9. Make the Glaze:
While the rolls bake, mix powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding more liquid or sugar as needed.
10. Glaze and Serve:
Drizzle the glaze over the warm cinnamon rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, gooey deliciousness of apple pie stuffed cinnamon rolls!
Can I Use Frozen Apples for the Filling?
Yes, you can! Just thaw the frozen apples completely and drain any excess liquid before cooking them with the sugar and spices. This helps prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough the night before and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before rolling out and assembling the rolls.
How Should I Store Leftover Rolls?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I Substitute the Nuts in the Streusel Topping?
Yes! Feel free to use any nuts you like or have on hand, such as almonds or pecans. If you have nut allergies, simply leave out the nuts and the topping will still taste great.
