Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling (VIDEO)

Whether you serve it as breakfast casserole or as dessert with ice cream, there's nothing quite like a sweet, soft, and fluffy Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling to satisfy your sweet tooth. No need to run to the store and buy canned cinnamon rolls, with this easy-to-make recipe using sweet brioche dough, delicious apples, and cream cheese icing, you'll be able to whip up your own mouthwatering apple pie cinnamon rolls at home in no time.

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• 🌟 Why this is the best recipe
• 📝 Ingredient notes
• 👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe
• 🥣 Equipment notes
• 🎓 Expert tips
• ❓Recipe FAQs
• 🍞 Other Sweet Bread recipes
• Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie filling (VIDE0)

🌟 Why this is the best recipe

1. No fancy tools needed - The fanciest piece of equipment you'll need to make the cinnamon rolls and apple pie filling is a stand mixer, and you can even eliminate that if you knead the dough by hand! Everything else you likely already have at home or can easily find.
2. It is beginner friendly - You don't have to be an expert to bake these delectable rolls! This recipe uses simple, attainable ingredients that come together very easily. I provide step-by-step instructions for rolling the dough so that you end up with professional-looking results!
3. It doesn't take much time or effort - The hardest part about making these cinnamon rolls is waiting for the dough to rest between steps. As a yeasted dough, you'll need to be patient during the proofing process. Other than that, the recipe is simple to make and doesn't require much time in the kitchen.
4. It is a crowd-pleaser - This Cinnamon roll recipe is so delicious that your guests will think you served them a can of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling, in fact, this from-scratch recipe tastes actually 100x better! Between the sweet apple-cinnamon flavor and the soft, fluffy texture, you'll be craving these rolls for days.
5. It's a versatile recipe - You can choose to use different spices, skip the apples, or use an alternative filling such as Nutella. It's all up to your taste buds! Or make it into a proper cinnamon roll casserole with apples!

📝 Ingredient notes

Dough

1. Butter - Use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt. I always use butter with 82% fat content in my recipes. Keep in mind that the butter needs to be at room temperature so that it is soft enough to knead into the dough. However, the melted butter will not work, so try to avoid microwaving the butter at the last minute!
2. Flour - As with most sweet bread, you will want a light, fluffy bread that you can sink your teeth into. That said, a bread flour with high protein content is the best choice to achieve the right texture for your cinnamon rolls apples. However, depending on your country, it may or may not be labeled as "bread flour." Be sure to scan the ingredient label and choose the flour with the highest protein content. If all else fails, you can use all-purpose flour. My handy flour guide dives into the difference between the various types of flour used in recipes.
3. Milk - For this cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling recipe, whole milk is best. The milk should be lukewarm or room temperature for the ingredients to properly emulsify.
4. Eggs - You will need one whole egg in addition to one egg yolk to keep the dough moist. Like the milk, the egg should be at room temperature for the ingredients to properly emulsify.
5. Yeast - For the best (and most delicious) results, fresh yeast works best. However, if you don't have access to fresh yeast, dry yeast is an acceptable substitute. However, you'll need to check the brand of yeast to calculate exactly how much yeast to substitute for the required 12,5 g of fresh yeast. For example, the dry yeast packet that I use says that 7g of dry yeast equals 25g of fresh yeast. Since 25g is double what is required for the recipe, I simply divide the amount of dry yeast in half from 7g to 3.5g (approximately one teaspoon). Don't forget to check out my ultimate yeast guide for more information about how to substitute and activate yeast.
6. Sugar - A small amount of white granulated sugar is necessary for the dough, but not much since the filling is already sweet! 
7. Salt - Salt is a key ingredient for balancing and helping to bring out the flavors in this cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling recipe. Don't skip it!

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all Ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

Apple filling

1. Apple - The kind of apple you use is really up to you. However, I find that the sweeter the apple, the better tasting the filling! Before measuring the apple, make sure it is peeled and cut into chunks.
2. Sugar - For the best-complimenting taste, brown sugar is the way to go (especially if you use brown sugar with molasses notes). If you don't have brown sugar on hand, you can use granulated sugar, or a combo of both.
3. Cinnamon - Cinnamon is always an excellent compliment to an apple-flavored dessert or pastry. However, you can also use spices such as ginger, nutmeg, or a combo of all three to add an extra pop of flavor to the apple pie filling and cinnamon rolls!
4. Butter - Just like the dough, you'll want to use unsalted butter for the filling. In this case, it is OK to use cold butter since it will later be melted.

Check my caramelized apple recipe for more details on how to prepare the filling!

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all Ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

Cream cheese icing

• Cream Cheese - This is the base of the icing and is best if you use a high-fat cream cheese (33% or more).
• Powdered Sugar - Use fine, high-quality powdered sugar for the best results. Make sure to sift the sugar before mixing it into the cream cheese.

🛒 You’ll find detailed measurements for all Ingredients in the printable version of the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

👩‍🍳 How to make this recipe

1. Step-by-step process of making the dough

Making the dough is a two-day process that requires proofing two times before it goes into the oven. The first part of the process is to activate the yeast and knead the dough, which can be super easy as long as you follow some simple rules!

1. Heat the milk until it reaches a lukewarm temperature. It shouldn't be too hot. 
2. Next, mix half of your sugar into the milk and sprinkle your fresh or dry yeast over top. Make sure your kitchen is nice and warm during this process (above 20C / 68F). If the kitchen temperature is correct, your yeast should begin bubbling after roughly 10 minutes. If it does not start bubbling, I recommend throwing out the yeast and starting over because it is unlikely it will rise later.
3. Start using the activated yeast immediately after it foams. Otherwise, it could overflow and break.

Now that the yeast is activated, it's time to knead the dough:

1. Place the foamy, activated yeast mixture into the stand mixer (the kneading hook should be on the mixer). Mix the yeast, egg, and egg yolk for roughly one minute.
2. Slowly add all of your dry ingredients (your bread flour, remaining sugar, and salt) and use the stand mixer to knead the dough. Don't worry if the mixture looks messy at first. After a few minutes of kneading it will come together.
3. While the stand mixer is on, slowly add the room temperature butter to the dough piece-by-piece. It is critical that the butter is at room temperature and soft during this stage, NOT melted and liquid. Otherwise, it will be impossible to mix it into the dough.
4. Once the butter is mixed in (it may take a few minutes to come together), knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes on medium-high speed.

Once the dough becomes elastic, shiny, and is no longer sticky, it is time to move on to the next step, rising the dough!

💡 Top Tip: Even if first, the dough looks super wet, do not adjust any of the recipe quantities or add ingredients. The dough will come together during the kneading process and any changes can drastically alter your results (and not in a good way)!

2. How to rise the dough

Once the dough has been kneaded and prepared, it is time for the first proofing. This stage is best done overnight.

1. Once kneaded, form a ball with the dough and place it into a glass or plastic bowl.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge overnight for at least 12 hours. During this time, the dough will rise. If you are low on time, you can rise the dough at room temperature in a warm (not hot) place in your kitchen for 1-2 hours. However, I don't recommend it. 

💡 Top Tip: An overnight rise in the fridge is recommended to achieve a soft and fluffy texture as well as provide ease when working with the dough later. However, if you must rise the dough at room temperature, you'll need to avoid direct sunshine or heat.

3. How to make the cinnamon apple filling

The next day, you'll make the delicious apple cinnamon filling to spread across the dough. Once completed, make sure that the filling is kept and remains cold - this is crucial to the cutting and shaping process!

1. Peel and cut the apples into small, identical pieces.
2. Cook the cut apple slices for a few minutes with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. You only need to cook the mixture long enough to soften the apples and thicken them (thickening is also essential to the shaping process). Do not overcook it!
3. Let the filling cool down and chill in the refrigerator before using. The filling must be cold and thick enough to fill the dough and give the proper results.

💡 Top Tip: Sprinkle freshly squeezed lemon juice over the cut apple slices as you work on them. Doing so helps prevent the apples from browning while you slice the rest of the apples.

4. How to assemble

Now it's time for the fun part, filling and rolling the dough! This part of making the cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling should only happen after the dough has had its first rise, not before! 

Between steps, you'll need to pop the dough back into the freezer to keep it chilled. The key to success during this stage is temperature. Both the dough and the filling need to be cold enough to make the assembly easier and prevent a mess! However, do not over-chill the dough to the point where it becomes frozen and too hard to work with.

1. Now that the dough has risen, a rolling pin to roll the dough onto a silicone baking mat. If you don't have a silicone baking mat, you can roll it on a lightly floured surface such as your kitchen counter. Roll it into a rectangle of approximately 42x30 cm (or 16x12 inches).
2. Chill the rolled dough in the freezer for a few minutes (roughly 3 minutes) so it becomes cold enough to work with.
3. Spread the cold apple cinnamon filling on top of the rolled dough. Use an offset spatula to spread it smoothly and evenly.
4. Place the dough with the spread back into the freezer for 3 minutes to chill prior to rolling it up (otherwise, it won't roll as neatly).
5. Starting from the longer end, roll the dough tightly and evenly. Once you reach the end, press it onto the roll to seal.
6. Pop the roll back in the freezer for an additional 3 minutes to chill. In the meantime, grease a pan.
7. Remove the cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling from the freezer. It should be nice and chilled. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 evenly-sized pieces and place them into a pan with some spaces in between them to rise
8. Proof the cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling a second time at room temperature. Depending on your kitchen temperature, this may take 1-2 hours. The key is for the dough to double in size before moving on to the next step. You cannot begin baking without a second proofing!

💡 Top Tip: To prevent dryness, cover the cinnamon roll dough during the second proofing. A Ziploc bag works just fine! Make sure you don't place it in an area too warm, as it could cause the filling to melt!

5. How to bake

Preheat your oven to 190C / 374F. Do not use a fan. Once preheated, lower the temperature slightly to 180C / 356F and place the rolls in the oven.

Bake the cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling for about 40 minutes. Check its progress at around 30 minutes. If necessary, adjust the temperature.

Your Cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling are done once the rolls are golden brown and a skewer (or toothpick) comes out clean when inserted.

💡 Top Tip: Since some oven temperatures can vary, use a digital oven thermometer to ensure you get the temperature just right and avoid over or underbaking the dough.

6. How to make the cream cheese icing

Whip the cream cheese and powdered sugar together for roughly 2-3 minutes until creamy. Make sure not to overwhip it, as it can over-soften the cream.

Once your cinnamon rolls have cooled to room temperature, apply the icing to the top of each roll as desired.

Store the iced cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling in an air-tight container at room temperature, or stick them in the oven for a few minutes and serve warm!

💡 Top Tip: To help thicken your cream cheese icing, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30-60 minutes before using it.

🥣 Equipment notes

A digital scale helps you get the exact ingredient measurements for your cinnamon roll bake. For the best results, you don't want to do any guessing!

Unless you have the time (and the strength) to knead the dough by hand, your stand mixer will save you a lot of time and energy. 

A rolling pin is a must for rolling out the dough. I also suggest using a silicone baking mat for rolling out the dough. Doing so will prevent the dough from sticking, saving the need to use extra flour. Your offset spatula will help ensure the filling is spread out nicely and evenly over the dough. 

You'll need a sheet pan or baking dish for placing the cinnamon roll pieces before they go in the oven. Use the digital oven thermometer to ensure that your oven bakes at the correct temperature. Some ovens may cook slightly above or below the required temperature, which could affect the outcome of the rolls.

🎓 Expert tips

1. Drizzle freshly squeezed lemon over the apple slices to prevent browning while preparing the filling. The lemon also helps balance the sweetness of the apples and enhances the flavor!
2. For ingredients such as egg, butter, milk, etc. make sure they are at room temperature.
3. Always work with cold dough and filling to achieve easy-to-work-with, perfectly rolled cinnamon rolls. Cold dough helps prevent sticking, and cold filling keeps it from melting the dough. It helps to stick the dough and apple filling in the fridge or freezer between steps to keep it cool.
4. Kneading the dough will take time (approximately 10 minutes). Although it may initially look messy, do not add more flour or other ingredients to the mixture. Continue kneading it, and it will eventually reach the shiny, elastic, stick-free texture you need.
5. A second proofing is absolutely necessary to achieve a perfect, fluffy rise and dough texture. Don't skip it!
6. For the best results and a chilled dough that is easier to work with, proof the dough overnight in the fridge versus at room temperature.
7. You can always spray non stick cooking spray on your hands to help keep the dough from sticking. 

❓Recipe FAQs

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