Introduction

These apple pie cinnamon rolls combine the classic flavors of cinnamon rolls with a delicious apple filling and a crumbly streusel topping. Soft, gooey, and bursting with warm spices, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.

The image shows a close-up of a single cinnamon roll with several layers visible. The bottom layer is a golden brown, shiny, and sugary dough base with a slightly caramelized edge. On top of this is a thick layer of light brown cinnamon swirl filling, peeking through the dough roll folds. Above that is a crumbly beige streusel topping, scattered unevenly over the surface. Drizzled over the top is a creamy light tan icing being applied with a spoon held by a woman's hand at the upper left corner. The cinnamon roll sits on a baking sheet with more rolls blurred in the background, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 packs Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls (5 count, ideally not the small 8 count)
Butter for greasing muffin tin

Apple Pie Filling:

4 large apples (2 Honeycrisp and 2 Granny Smith)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 tbsp water

Streusel Topping:

5 tbsp butter, partially melted
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Buttery Icing:

1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2-1 tsp cinnamon, based on your preference

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Use softened butter to generously grease each muffin cup. Press the cinnamon rolls into each muffin cup, spreading the dough up the sides to create a cavity for the apple filling. Avoid having too much dough at the bottom so you can add plenty of filling.
Step 2: Peel the apples, slice them thin, then dice into 1-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, mix the apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, melted butter, and the dissolved cornstarch. Heat the mixture in the microwave, stirring occasionally until the syrup thickens and apples soften, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, warm it in a saucepan on the stove.
Step 3: Using a slotted spoon, scoop the apple mixture to drain excess syrup. Fill each cinnamon roll cavity up to the top with the apple filling.
Step 4: Combine all streusel topping ingredients in a bowl and mix until large crumbs form. Mound handfuls of streusel on top of the apple filling, covering most of the surface.
Step 5: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 15 minutes. Cover loosely with foil for the first 5 minutes to prevent over-browning, and rotate the pan halfway through baking for even cooking.
Step 6: While baking, whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon for the icing until smooth. After the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes, drizzle the icing over the warm rolls and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a deeper apple flavor, sauté the diced apples with a bit of butter and cinnamon before mixing them with the other filling ingredients.
Try substituting the apple filling with pear or peach slices for a different fruit twist.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of brown sugar in the apple filling and streusel.
Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls after baking to keep the layers intact for a beautiful presentation.

Storage

Store leftover apple pie cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until warm before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several cinnamon rolls arranged on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each roll has a golden-brown base layer of baked dough swirled with darker brown cinnamon filling. On top, there is a crumbly, light beige streusel layer with a rough, uneven texture. Creamy white glaze is drizzled generously over the streusel and edges, creating smooth, shiny patches that slightly drip onto the plate below. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use refrigerated cinnamon roll dough from other brands?

Yes, other brands of pre-made cinnamon roll dough can work well. Just ensure the dough is thick enough to hold the apple filling and that you adjust baking time if needed.

Can I prepare these cinnamon rolls in advance?

Absolutely. You can assemble the rolls and store them covered in the refrigerator overnight. Bake them fresh the next day, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from cold.