Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls – Irresistibly Soft, Gooey, and Perfect for Cozy Fall Baking

If autumn had a scent, it would be cinnamon and apples bubbling in butter. These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls capture that magic in every soft swirl — pillowy dough wrapped around caramelized apples, cinnamon-sugar filling, and a drizzle of vanilla glaze. Imagine your favorite apple pie baked right into a tender, pull-apart breakfast roll.

I first made these one chilly Sunday morning in Asheville after a local orchard trip. My kitchen filled with the scent of browned butter and sugar — by the time the rolls came out of the oven, my whole family was gathered around the counter, forks in hand. They’ve been a seasonal tradition ever since.

If you’re craving comfort baking or looking for easy fall-themed desserts that double as breakfast, these rolls are your perfect match — cozy, gooey, and completely irresistible.

Why You’ll Love Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Two desserts in one: All the flavor of apple pie meets the comfort of a cinnamon roll.
• Soft, cloud-like dough: Buttery, tender, and easy to roll out.
• Caramel apple filling: Apples sautéed in butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar — no canned filling here.
• Make-ahead friendly: You can refrigerate overnight and bake fresh in the morning.
• Customizable: Try chia cinnamon rolls, or even a festive Christmas cinnamon roll version.
• Perfect for fall brunches or bake sales: They look stunning and taste like home.

Love homemade rolls? Don’t miss these cozy companions:

• Learn more about soft, tangy dough in my Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls.
• Discover great ideas like pumpkin spiced twists in Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Muffins.
• Check out the banana-cinnamon combo you didn’t know you needed: Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) warm milk (about 105°F/40°C)
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Apple Pie Filling

• 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp flour (to thicken juices)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Spread

• 1/3 cup (70 g) light brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (57 g) softened butter

For the Glaze

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk or cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In a large bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make dough: Add remaining sugar, butter, egg, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms. Knead 6–8 minutes until soft and elastic.
3. First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and rise 1 hour (or until doubled).
4. Prepare apple filling: While dough rises, cook apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour over medium heat for 5–7 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Roll out dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10×15-inch rectangle.
6. Spread filling: Brush with softened butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, then spoon apple mixture evenly.
7. Roll & cut: Roll tightly from long side; cut into 12 rolls. Place in a greased 9×13-inch pan.
8. Second rise: Cover and let rise 30–40 minutes, until puffy.
9. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until golden.
10. Glaze: Cool 10 minutes, whisk glaze ingredients, and drizzle over warm rolls.

Tip: For an extra gooey topping, spoon a little leftover apple syrup over the rolls before glazing.

How to Serve Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Serve these warm and soft, right from the oven — that’s when the glaze melts into the nooks of the rolls, creating a caramel-like finish. They pair beautifully with hot cider or coffee for brunch, or you can reheat them for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a true apple pie cinnamon bake experience.

For holidays, arrange the rolls in a circular pan and drizzle white icing in a spiral to resemble a Christmas cinnamon roll wreath. Dust with powdered sugar and top with thin apple slices or toasted pecans for decoration.

If you’re hosting a fall brunch, serve them alongside a savory bake like Garlic Butter Bread Rolls to balance sweet and salty.

You can even make mini rolls for bake sales — slice thinner, bake in muffin tins, and drizzle glaze lightly. They’re the perfect grab-and-go comfort food.

How to Store Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Room Temperature: Store covered up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to refresh.
• Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Bake, cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
• Make-Ahead Option: Assemble rolls and place covered in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let them sit 45 minutes at room temperature before baking.

For longer storage, skip the glaze and add it fresh after reheating for that just-baked texture.

Tips to Make Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

1. Use warm milk (not hot): Kills the yeast if too hot; aim for body temperature.
2. Apple choice matters: Tart apples like Granny Smith balance sweetness.
3. Make ahead: Chill filled, unbaked rolls overnight for quick morning baking.
4. Chia Cinnamon Rolls twist: Add 2 tbsp chia seeds to the dough for fiber and a nutty bite.
5. Don’t overfill: Too much apple filling will make rolling tricky.
6. Check softness: Rolls are ready when tops are golden and centers feel bouncy.
7. Caramel topping bonus: Stir 2 tbsp caramel sauce into glaze for an extra dessert-style finish.
8. Light glaze drizzle: Use a fork for delicate drizzle or dunk tops for fully coated rolls.
9. Holiday hack: Add red and green sprinkles to glaze for Christmas breakfast flair.

Variations of Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

• Caramel Apple Rolls: Add a layer of caramel sauce before rolling the dough.
• Cinnamon Rolls With Bread Dough: Substitute store-bought white bread dough for a shortcut version.
• Apple Crisp Rolls: Sprinkle oats and streusel topping before baking for crunch.
• Nutty Apple Rolls: Add toasted pecans or walnuts to the filling.
• Maple Glazed Rolls: Swap vanilla in glaze for 1 tsp pure maple extract.
• Healthy Version: Replace 1 cup flour with whole wheat and reduce sugar by ¼ cup.
• Christmas Morning Version: Add cranberries to the apple filling and drizzle with white chocolate.
• Cinnamon Bake Twist: Arrange in a pie dish and bake as one pull-apart “cinnamon apple bake.”

FAQs About Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Final Thoughts About Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Warm, golden, and dripping with glaze — these Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are comfort in a pan. They taste like your favorite bakery treat but fill your home with homemade love. Bake them for weekend breakfasts, Thanksgiving brunch, or a cozy Christmas morning tradition. One bite, and you’ll know why this is one of the best apple recipes for fall.

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Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

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• Author: Rosie
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft, fluffy Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and caramelized apple center. Finished with vanilla glaze for the perfect fall bake.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

DOUGH:

• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

APPLE PIE FILLING:

• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp flour

CINNAMON SPREAD:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, softened

GLAZE:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk or cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast with warm milk and sugar until foamy.

2. Add butter, egg, salt, and flour; knead into a soft dough.

3. Rise 1 hour until doubled.

4. Cook apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour until thickened; cool.

5. Roll dough into rectangle, spread butter and cinnamon sugar, spoon apples evenly.

6. Roll up and cut into 12 rolls. Place in greased pan; rise 30–40 minutes.

7. Bake 25–30 minutes at 350°F until golden.

8. Whisk glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm rolls.

Notes

Use tart apples for best balance.

Make ahead: chill shaped rolls overnight and bake in the morning.

Add caramel sauce for extra richness or chia seeds for added texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 190mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 45mg