You want to know what you get when you mix two of my all time favorite breakfast and desserts? Cinnamon rolls with apple filling. It's a great combination of breakfast and dessert all in one!
Who doesn't love warm apple pie (ok I just thought of the scene from American pie) and fresh cinnamon rolls? My heart is singing with this one and I am sure Jason Biggs would appreciate these as well!
Homemade brioche type dough, layered with brown sugar cinnamon filling and fresh apple pie filling. In addition, once you pull them out of the oven, cream cheese frosting gets piled on top! My salivary glands are working overtime right now!
My kids have been bugging me for a new kind of breakfast food for about a month now. Nonetheless, I had to get creative in the kitchen. They all love cinnamon rolls and the last batch I made they were gone in 2 days. However, adding the apple pie filling was a hit (not just for them, for my son's friend as well).
These rolls are super filling and a great way to make their tummies full for school. Thank God, I don't have to count calories for my kids as they are all thin because these are anything but healthy for you! But is anything that tastes this good ever healthy for you?
Ingredients and substitutions
- All Purpose flour
- Apples: I used pink lady, but other varieties will work as well
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar: Light or dark
- Confectioner's sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Active dry yeast
- Cream cheese
Can the rolls be made ahead of time?
These cinnamon rolls with apple filling can be prepared a day ahead of time. Nevertheless, with the holidays coming up, these rolls will make the perfect breakfast for family coming to visit. Please see the steps that can be made the day before and will lessen the time from the oven to your mouth!
- Prepare the dough 1 day ahead of time and place in the fridge for the perfect overnight rise.
- The apple filling can be prepared and placed in an airtight container and out in the fridge.
- The brown sugar filling can be placed in a covered bowl or airtight container on your counter at room temperature.
Tips for cinnamon rolls with apple filling
- Although these rolls can be made in the same day, just note that it does take some time. So prepare for that process.
- These rolls can get large due to the amount of filling in them, don't fret, a 9x13 pan works the best for their size!
- Other nuts can be added to these rolls if you are feeling up to it. Pecans and walnuts go great inside a cinnamon roll!
- The best way to tell when these rolls are done is to use an instant thermometer. I recommend this one. It can be hard to tell because of all the filling, but the edges will be a slight golden brown color as well.
How to make cinnamon rolls with apple filling
These cinnamon rolls are worth the hard work! Do yourself a favor and make them for your next get together with family!
First, prepare your dough. If making the same day give yourself at least 3 hours from start to finish.
Second, make the apple filling. Place in the fridge to chill until ready for use.
Third, assemble the rolls. Chill in freezer for at least 30 minutes before cutting and placing in pan.
Fourth, bake the rolls. While the rolls are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting. Once they have cooled for 15 minutes, frost! Enjoy!
Variations
- Use this recipe and make it into a casserole or breakfast bake.
- Add in raisins, nuts, or experiment with different spices.
- Use a vanilla or cinnamon buttercream frosting on top.
- Add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.
FAQ's
Yes, to both. If you are not in the mood to make the dough from scratch feel free to substitute.
Yes, you can and it will cut down on time if making the dough from scratch.
Cover the rolls and store at room temperature for 3 days and up to 5 days in the fridge.
Cinnamon Rolls with apple filling
Equipment
- Stand mixer fitted with dough hook
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheet
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
Cinnamon rolls dough
- 1 cup 2% milk Lukewarm
- 4 tablespoon granulated sugar divided
- 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs
- 3½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature and cubed
Apple pie filling
- 4 medium pink lady apples peeled, cored, and chopped
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Brown sugar cinnamon filling
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Cream cheese frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 3 cups confectioner's sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
Cinnamon roll dough
- Take warm milk, 2 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and yeast and put in bowl of stand mixer. Stir to mix and let it sit for 10 minutes to proof. It should smell like bread and be foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl of stand mixer with the wet ingredients and add both eggs. Mix on low for 2-3 minutes (mixture will be more crumbly). Increase the speed to medium for an additional 5 minutes. Add in the cubes of butter little by little until completely incorporated. Mix for an additional 7 minutes until dough is soft and smooth.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until it has doubled in size (1-2 hours).
Apple pie filling
- In a large saucepan melt the butter on low. Add in the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes until apples are softened.
- Add in cornstarch and stir until the mixture has thickened and apples are all coated.
- Place in the fridge to chill until ready for use.
Brown sugar cinnamon filling
- In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Set aside.
Cream cheese frosting
- In a large mixing bowl. add the butter and cream cheese and mix until combined and smooth. Add in the confectioner's sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and salt until incorporated. Set aside or place in fridge until ready for use.
Assembly of cinnamon rolls
- Grease a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until you reach about a 25x15 rectangle. Spread out the cinnamon filling around the center, leaving only about an inch or two on the sides. Top with apple pie filling.
- Starting with the long side, roll up into a tight log. Pinch the seams closed. Cut the log into 2 separate pieces and place on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in freezer for 30 minutes (allows for a sharper cut).
- Once the logs have properly chilled, cut each logs into 6 equal pieces. Place in the prepared pan. Cover and let rise again in a warm place for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Once the rolls have risen, place in oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Let cool for 15 minutes. Frost the rolls and serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Breakfast at its best!
Fun fact of the day!
Phobophobia is the fear of having phobias! I can't even say the word!
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