Think fall, apple pie, and the scent of cinnamon wafting through the air (all my favorite things). It is one of those easy recipes that is perfect for a fall or winter treat. I can’t think of anything better to make when it’s apple season. Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls make for a delicious breakfast or even a dessert (try a scoop of ice cream on hot, fluffy cinnamon rolls). You won’t find a better take on the Apple Cinnamon Rolls recipe anywhere! And the best part is they are so easy to make.

Warm cinnamon rolls are a perfect comfort food. Add maple cream cheese icing, and you have a dream come true. This is where a traditional apple pie meets the perfect cinnamon roll recipe. Who can resist the smell of cinnamon rolls in the air and the gooey cinnamon roll filling?

The Simple Ingredients

Yeast: The key is ensuring your yeast is alive; check the expiration date. Ensure your ingredients are warm, not hot, and certainly not cold—warm milk, eggs at room temperature, etc. I prefer active dry yeast for this recipe.
Whole Milk: Use whole milk. The fat helps in creating a richer taste. Make sure your milk is between 110° F and 115° F, any hotter or colder, and you will impact the yeast.
Egg: The key here is to have room-temperature eggs. Remember, anything cold added to the dough might impact the yeast.
Butter: Lots of butter! Some melted butter and some softened butter.
Bread Flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content and leads to more structure and a chewier texture, which is good in risen doughs. You can use all-purpose flour if you prefer.
Dark Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar would also work, but the dark makes for a richer flavor. It’s the additional molasses.
Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cardamon: This combination of spices makes this roll taste like an apple pie. You could also substitute a premade apple pie spice.
Apple Butter: Use store-bought apple butter; not only does it add flavor, but it also adds moisture to the filling, making it very gooey.
Apples: Use your favorite cooking apples for the filling. I like McIntosh since they are softer when cooked, but Granny Smith apples would work nicely. You could use a canned apple filling, but fresh is best.
Apple Sauce: Adding the apple sauce to the dough adds to the apple flavor.
Cream Cheese: Ensure you soften your cream cheese, making it easier to work with. And be sure it is full-fat cream cheese!
Powdered Sugar: Ever wonder about the difference between powdered sugar and confectioners’ sugar? The latter has added corn starch to prevent clumping, and confectioners’ sugar is best used as a topping. The starch prevents it from melting into the cake, pie, or cookie.
Maple Syrup: Added to the frosting, it brings all the flavors together.

One Apple Cinnamon Roll on plate with bite on fork.

Tips For Making The Best Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

The milk should be warmed to 110°F. Melt the butter, but be sure to cool it a bit before using. You don’t want to add anything too hot or cold to the dough. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature. Also, make sure the apple sauce is at room temperature as well. Having warm or room-temperature ingredients will help you make the perfect cinnamon roll dough.

Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough; it’s the easiest way. You can knead by hand if you prefer; turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Either way, work the dough for at least 8 minutes.

Find a warm place to proof the dough. Cover it with plastic wrap and use a large bowl (this dough should get big). The rise time is 1 to two hours.

While the dough rises, prepare your baking dish by buttering the sides and bottom. If you prefer, line it with parchment paper to easily lift the finished rolls out of the dish.

At this time, you should peel, dice, and cook the apples on the stovetop. Tip: A little squeeze of lemon juice will keep your apple fresher looking while you work. They should be soft and tender but not mushy. Set aside to cool while the dough continues to rise. Now, combine the brown sugar and the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a small bowl.

Roll the dough out on a well-floured surface into a 14×16 rectangle. Spread the softened butter and apple butter over the dough. Then sprinkle with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom mixture. Tightly roll up the dough, starting on the 14-inch side. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Arrange in the prepared baking dish, cover with plastic wrap again, and return to a warm place to rise a final time.

While the rolls are rising, it is an excellent time to prepare the maple cream cheese frosting. Use a standing mixer or a hand mixer to make the frosting; be sure to beat until fluffy and the lumps are gone. Adding a little vanilla extract and maple syrup enhances the flavor.

Preheat the oven to 350° F and bake the rolls for 30 minutes. Don’t overcook; you want gooey cinnamon rolls, not over-baked. They should turn a light golden brown when ready to come out of the oven.

Cool for 10-15 minutes, then cover with the frosting. They should be warm so the frosting will melt a bit.

The most delicious fall Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting will be delightful. They store well in an airtight container for a few days (reheat in a microwave when serving). They are the perfect taste of fall and throughout the holiday season.

Be sure to check out my traditional Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe!