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Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie: A Cozy Twist on a Classic

Warm, Gooey, and Glazed: The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

You know that moment when your sweet tooth stages a full-blown mutiny and refuses to choose between apple pie and cinnamon rolls?
It’s like a flavor standoff in your kitchen—flaky crust versus gooey swirl, warm spice versus buttery bliss.
This Apple Cinnamon-Bun Pie is the delicious ceasefire you didn’t know you needed—a mashup masterpiece where tender Fuji apples cozy up under a crust that looks straight from a bakery window.
Think of it as brunch and dessert eloping in a pie dish—and spoiler alert: they live happily ever after.

A slice of Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie on a white plate showing moist apple layers, flaky cinnamon-sugar crust, and cream cheese drizzle, with the full pie in a glass dish behind it surrounded by pumpkins and fall leaves.
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie – A Swirly Fall Favorite

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon-Bun Pie

  • Flaky meets gooey: A crisp pie crust meets cinnamon-bun softness.
  • Perfect for fall: Ideal for Thanksgiving, autumn brunch, or cozy weekends.
  • Kid-approved & camera-ready: Those swirls make it irresistible for both taste buds and Instagram.
  • Shortcut-friendly: Use store-bought crusts or make from scratch—it’s a win either way.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crust

  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ packages (11 oz each) pie crust mix

For the Filling

  • 3 lbs Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick (about 9 cups)
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp apple pie spice (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 egg, beaten

For the Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¼ cup milk

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Crust

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
  3. Prepare pie crust mix per package instructions using ½ cup water.
  4. Shape one-third of dough into a ½-inch-thick rectangle; wrap and refrigerate the rest.

Step 2: Roll and Fill the Dough

  • On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
  • Lightly coat surface with cooking spray; sprinkle with one-third of cinnamon sugar.
  • Roll tightly (like a jelly roll), seam-side down. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  • Repeat with remaining dough.
Helpful Tip: Short on time? Use

Pillsbury™ Refrigerated Pie Crusts

—they’re in the grocery section near canned biscuits and save major prep time.

Step 3: Slice the Dough Logs

  • Cut the first log into straight ¼-inch slices.
  • Cut the second log into diagonal ¼-inch slices; refrigerate diagonals for later.
Helpful Tip: For perfect slices, use a pizza cutter or unflavored dental floss instead of a knife.

Step 4: Form the Bottom Crust

  • Arrange 8 straight-cut slices in a circle at the center of the pie pan.
  • Add more slices along the sides; press and flatten to form the crust up the rim. Chill until firm.
Glass pie dish lined with cinnamon roll dough spirals arranged in neat circles.
How to Line a Pie Pan with Cinnamon Roll Dough | Fall Baking Tutorial
Overhead shot of shaped pie shell made from flattened cinnamon roll dough spirals in a glass dish.
Shape a Cinnamon Roll Pie Shell Like a Pro | Fall Pie Tutorial

Step 5: Make the Top Crust

  • Roll out several diagonal slices between parchment sheets until 1/16-inch thick.
  • Refrigerate for 20 minutes to chill.
Helpful Tip: If the dough cracks, let it rest a few minutes at room temperature before rolling again.
Cinnamon roll dough slices placed over apple filling in a glass pie plate.
Make the Top Crust for Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie | Step-by-Step Recipe Visual

Step 6: Prepare the Apple Filling

  • Preheat oven to 400°F with a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack.
  • Combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Transfer apple mixture into the prepared pie shell.

Step 7: Assemble and Bake

  • Layer chilled top-crust slices over the filling in two slightly overlapping rows.
  • Use reserved slices to fill gaps and seal edges; flute if desired.
  • Brush with beaten egg for a glossy finish.
  • Bake 1½ hours, or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool completely on a wire rack.
How-To: For a perfect fluted edge, pinch the dough between thumb and forefinger in small twists around the rim.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

  • Beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
  • Add milk gradually until you reach drizzling consistency.
  • Drizzle over cooled pie before serving.
Golden baked cinnamon roll apple pie with flaky crust and creamy frosting swirls.
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie | Easy Fall Dessert Everyone Will Love

Expert Baking Tips

  • Chill your dough before slicing—it keeps those cinnamon swirls defined.
  • Use firm apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for perfect texture.
  • Brush with heavy cream instead of egg for a rich golden finish.
  • Let the pie rest before slicing to allow the filling to set.

Variations & Creative Twists

  • Maple Drizzle: Stir 1 tbsp maple syrup into the icing.
  • Caramel Apple: Add a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce.
  • Pecan Crunch: Add chopped pecans between dough layers for extra texture.
  • Mini Pies: Make individual versions using muffin tins—perfect for brunch spreads.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with:

FAQs About Apple Cinnamon-Bun Pie

Can I make this pie ahead? Yes. Prepare up to baking, wrap tightly, and refrigerate 24 hours.

How do I store leftovers? Keep covered in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat at 325°F for 10 minutes.

Can I freeze it? Absolutely. Wrap tightly, freeze up to 2 months, and thaw overnight before reheating.

More Great Recipes and Fun

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon-Bun Pie is comfort food at its most creative—a swirl of nostalgia baked into every bite.
Whether you serve it at Thanksgiving or a lazy Sunday brunch, it’s guaranteed to turn heads and satisfy cravings.

Love dessert mashups? Try it with my Root Beer Buttercream Frosting Recipe next.

A slice of Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie on a white plate showing moist apple layers, flaky cinnamon-sugar crust, and cream cheese drizzle, with the full pie in a glass dish behind it surrounded by pumpkins and fall leaves.
Yield: 10 servings

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie: A Cozy Twist on a Classic

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

This Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie brings together two fall favorites—warm cinnamon rolls and classic apple pie—into one irresistible dessert. With buttery layers, tender Fuji apples, and a swirl of cream cheese icing, it’s a mashup that’s part brunch indulgence, part cozy comfort food. Pair it with a drizzle of Homemade Cinnamon Whipped Cream or serve alongside a slice of Cheesy Beer Bread for a comforting fall feast.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ packages (11 oz each) pie crust mix

For the Filling:

  • 3 lbs Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick (about 9 cups)
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp apple pie spice (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 egg, beaten

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¼ cup milk

Instructions

    Step 1 – Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Crust: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Prepare the pie crust mix per package instructions using ½ cup water. Shape one-third of the dough into a ½-inch thick rectangle and refrigerate the remaining dough.

    Step 2 – Roll and Slice the Dough: On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Lightly coat with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll tightly jelly-roll style and chill for 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.

    Step 3 – Form the Pie Shell: Cut one dough log into straight ¼-inch slices and the other into diagonal ¼-inch slices. Arrange straight slices in a circle in the center of your pie dish, pressing to form the bottom crust. Refrigerate until firm.

    Step 4 – Prepare the Apple Filling: Preheat oven to 400°F with a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack. In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour into the pie shell.

    Step 5 – Add the Top Crust: Layer the diagonal dough slices over the apple filling, slightly overlapping. Brush with beaten egg for a glossy finish.

    Step 6 – Bake: Bake for 1 ½ hours, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

    Step 7 – Make the Cream Cheese Icing: In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add milk gradually until it’s pourable. Drizzle over the cooled pie before serving.

Notes

  • For a time-saving shortcut, use Pillsbury™ Refrigerated Pie Crusts found near the canned biscuits at your grocery store.
  • Chill dough before slicing—it keeps those signature cinnamon swirls sharp.
  • Try a drizzle of Easy Homemade Caramel Sauce or a scoop of ice cream for a bakery-style finish.
  • Serve alongside a warm beverage like apple cider or coffee for the ultimate fall dessert moment.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    10

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 403Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 80gFiber: 5gSugar: 60gProtein: 3g

    The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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    About Julee Morrison

    Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

    Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

    Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

    Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.

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