Apple pie cinnamon rolls are full of cinnamon flavor. Stuffed with apples and cheddar cheese, they make for a perfectly sweet and salty breakfast.
Warm gooey cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Is there anything better to wake up to? When we were younger, cinnamon rolls were one of my favorite breakfasts to have after church.
Popping open that tube of giant cinnamon rolls and watching them rise was a great start to the day. Of course they had to be topped with icing right out of the oven so that it melted perfectly over the whole cinnamon roll.
I was usually put in charge of “making” the cinnamon rolls. So naturally, I added just a little extra frosting to mine!
Making these apple pie cinnamon rolls the other weekend took me back to those Sunday mornings. But this time, I kicked it up a notch by taking my favorite cinnamon roll and the perfect fall pie and rolling them into one delicious breakfast.
Easy peasy apple pie cinnamon rolls
Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this super simple apple pie cinnamon roll:
- Cinnamon rolls – obvious…but they need to be the big Grands. You know, the ones that come with 5 in a container. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotta have that cream cheese frosting.
- Apples – another obvious one. But I like to use either Gala or Fuji for their crispness and sweetness.
- Apple pie spice – this is going to kick that apple pie and cinnamon flavor into high gear.
- Cheddar cheese – it may sound like a weird one, but trust me on this. If you’ve ever had cheddar cheese on top of an actual slice of apple pie, you know what I’m talking about.
Rolling it all together – apple pie cinnamon rolls
This step may seem complicated, but I promise you, it’s quite simple.
First you’ll want to make sure your apples are chopped pretty small. You’ll want them to cook and soften slightly while they’re stuffed inside that giant ball of doughy goodness.
Next, unroll the cinnamon roll. I had to press some of the cinnamon chunks back into the dough, but that’s okay. Top with apples {lay in a single row} and then with the cheddar cheese.
I found it easiest to press the apples into the dough first so that they stayed. Then rolling the dough over the cheddar cheese.
Baking and frosting warm apple pie cinnamon rolls
Just check out that cheddar cheese that’s about to become all gooey and delicious inside of those cinnamon rolls! The cheddar cheese helps to balance out all of the sweetness of the apples, cinnamon rolls and frosting. If you love sweet and salty, this is the perfect combo for you!
Bake until golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside.
And now it’s time for the best part…cream cheese frosting! Just watch it melt into all of the cracks and crevices of these ooey-gooey apple pie cinnamon rolls.
My favorite part of the roll was always the center, and that was no exception today. I just had to eat it first!
Looking for some more brunch-tastic recipes? Check these out:
Baked Chocolate Protein Donuts
Overnight Banana French Toast Bake
- 1 {17.5 oz} canister Grands Cinnamon Rolls
- 1 medium Gala apple peeled and diced {about 1 cup}
- 1 tsp. apple pie spice
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
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Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9” x 9” pan with baking spray.
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Pop open the canister of cinnamon rolls and roll out each into a long strip.
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In a small bowl, toss together the apples and apple pie spice.
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Press the apples in a single layer down the strips of cinnamon rolls.
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Cut, or tear, the cheddar cheese so that it is the same size as the strip of cinnamon roll. Lay on top of the apples in an even layer.
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Carefully roll up the cinnamon rolls, ensuring the cheese and apples stay inside.
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Lay in the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Top with cream cheese frosting {from the cinnamon roll canister} while the cinnamon rolls are still warm.
