There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through your home. It instantly transports you to cozy mornings, family gatherings, and the simple joy of a delicious treat. Today, we’re going to combine two quintessential comfort foods into one irresistible dessert that will undoubtedly become a new favorite: the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake. Get ready to experience the warmth of apple pie and the sugary swirl of a cinnamon roll, all in one glorious, easy-to-make cake. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create cherished memories in your kitchen.
Why Make This Recipe
This cake is the best of both worlds. You get the gooey, spiced apple filling of a pie and the soft, fluffy texture with a sweet cinnamon swirl from a cinnamon roll. People will love this cake for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Everyone will give you compliments! Even though it looks fancy, this recipe is easy for anyone to make. Your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes. You can enjoy it warm with coffee, as a fancy dessert, or a special breakfast.
How to Make Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
You will make a simple cake batter. Then you create a cinnamon swirl and an apple pie filling. Layer these tasty parts in a baking dish and swirl them together. After baking, a delicious cream cheese glaze goes on top. The steps are easy to follow for a wonderful cake.
Ingredients of Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
- For the Cake Batter (Cinnamon Roll Style)
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Eggs, large
- Milk (whole or 2%)
- Vanilla extract
- For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Brown sugar, packed
- Ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- For the Apple Pie Filling
- Apples (Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith work best), peeled, cored, and diced
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
- Water or apple cider (optional)
- For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- Cream cheese, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or cream (for desired consistency)
Directions of Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
Combine diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook them over medium heat until the apples soften a little. Mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water or apple cider. Add this mixture to the apples. Stir until the filling gets thick. Take it off the heat and let it cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
Heat your oven and prepare your baking dish (grease and flour it). Beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until they are light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly, alternating with milk. Mix only until everything is just combined. Do not mix too much.
Step 3: Assemble the Cinnamon Swirl
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir until it forms a paste.
Step 4: Layer and Swirl the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the cooled apple pie filling over the batter. Drizzle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the apples. Repeat these layers with the rest of the cake batter, apple filling, and cinnamon swirl. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl through the layers to make a pretty marble pattern.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Bake the cake in the heated oven for the time given, or until a toothpick put into the center comes out clean. Let the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake cool in the pan on a wire rack.
Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Cream Cheese Glaze
In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy. Add milk or cream, one teaspoon at a time, until the glaze is thin enough to drizzle. Once the cake has cooled a little (it can still be warm!), drizzle the glaze all over the top.
How to Serve Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Serve slices warm. You can add more cream cheese glaze on top. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with a warm slice makes it a special dessert. It is perfect with coffee or tea for a nice weekend brunch. This cake is also a great addition to any holiday breakfast or dessert table.
How to Store Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Store leftover Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips to Make Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Use apples that stay firm when cooked. Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith apples work well. Make sure the apple pie filling cools completely before you add it to the cake batter. This stops it from sinking or making the batter too thin. Do not mix the cake batter too much; overmixing makes the cake tough. All ingredients like butter, eggs, milk, and cream cheese should be at room temperature. This helps mix them well. Measure flour exactly; use the spoon-and-level method. To check if the cake is done, put a toothpick in the middle. It should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Variations
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the cinnamon swirl or sprinkle them on top before baking for a nutty crunch. For more flavor, add a caramel drizzle over the glaze. In the fall, use some pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon in the apple and swirl fillings. You can also bake this in a muffin tin for individual Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake muffins. Adjust the baking time for smaller cakes.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake ahead of time?
A1: Yes, you can. You can bake the whole Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake one day early. Keep it covered at room temperature. Add the glaze just before serving for the best look. You can also glaze it earlier and warm it slightly in the microwave or oven if you like.
Q2: What kind of apples are best for this Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake?
A2: For the best texture, use firm apples that stay together when cooked. Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn are good choices. Mixing sweet and tart apples also adds a nice flavor to your Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Q3: Can I freeze the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake?
A3: Yes, you can freeze it. For best results, freeze the Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake without glaze. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It will last for up to 2-3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature. Then, make fresh glaze before serving.
Delightful Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cake
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Small bowl
- Oven
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Wire rack
- Knife/Skewer
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter (Cinnamon Roll Style)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 2 medium apples (Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water or apple cider (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream (for desired consistency)
Instructions
Prepare the Apple Pie Filling
- Combine diced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a saucepan; cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until apples soften slightly. Whisk together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water or apple cider until smooth, then add this mixture to the apples and stir until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Make the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
Assemble the Cinnamon Swirl
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, stirring until a thick paste forms.
Layer and Swirl the Cake
- Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, then spoon half of the cooled apple pie filling over the batter. Drizzle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the apples, and repeat these layers with the remaining cake batter, apple filling, and cinnamon swirl. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl through the layers to create a marbled pattern.
Bake the Cake
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare and Apply the Cream Cheese Glaze
- While the cake cools, beat softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy, then add milk or cream, one teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Once the cake has cooled slightly (it can still be warm), drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the top.
Serve
- Slice and serve warm. Enjoy!