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.

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
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
- Prepare pie crust mix per package instructions using ½ cup water.
- 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.
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.
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.


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.

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.
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.

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:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A drizzle of salted caramel sauce
- Or a dollop of Homemade Cinnamon Whipped Cream
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.
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie: A Cozy Twist on a Classic
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
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount 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.
