Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

This is a cinnamon-scented twist on apple pie which is fun to make and always wows. The same homemade or store bought pie dough forms both the base crust and the topping—the fun part happens when a sweetened cinnamon-butter is spread on half of the dough and rolled up like a log and chilled then sliced and fanned over the apples and baked until golden brown and bubbly.

I was thrilled to partner up with E.D. Smith to make a fabulous pie using their apple pie filling. I wanted to make some that incorporates the classic flavours of an apple pie but with a very fun twist.  Mission accomplished if you ask me. I have wanted to make this cinnamon twist/roll pie since last year. I’m late to the game - this isn’t new - I have seen many versions of this all over the net but I found one I particularly liked via the one and only Martha Stewart. Her version makes a huge slab pie. I liked her version because the twists get super crispy and delicious as opposed to some recipes that use actual cinnamon bun dough that creates a fluffy pie crust. Not opposed too that idea at all and may have to try it as well in the future but I wanted a crispy edged crust for this pie.

I linked below my go to simple pie dough recipe but feel free to use a good quality store bought one too.  When I mean store bought I mean the refrigerated pie dough that you roll out not the frozen ones.  I also noted that it may take 2 pie doughs to cover the pie with all those cinnamon rolls depending on the size of your pie plate. I used approx 1 and a ½ because my twists were small.  Larger twists with thicker pie dough will create larger ones which will cover more surface.  So it all depends.  If you have to make more that is not a problem just chill your pie while you make more. Usually 30-40 twists will do the trick.

I have used both store bought and homemade crusts to make this and I have to say the store bought version makes for very good looking consistently shaped twist not to mention makes things super easy and saves you some time too. That goes for the same with this E.D. Smith pie filling. It helps  keep this pie recipe streamlined and simple - both things I don’t normally associate with pie making. This pie is definitely simple enough for a weekend bake up but still elegant enough for a special occasion.  

I love apple pie served with vanilla bean triple churned ice cream but I think a really nice simple glaze drizzled over top of it would be perfect with it too (you know cinnamon bun style). As this crust is free formed and not attached to the bottom crust expect it to be a little on the messy side when serving and that is ok. Embrace it like you would a crisp or a crumble. It’s absolutely delicious and really fun to bring to the dinner table.

I have partnered up with E.D. Smith to bring you this fabulous recipe, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Olive & Mango.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 storebought or homemade 9 inch pie crusts *
• 2 tbsp of unsalted butter
• 4 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp of brown sugar
• 2 cans of E.D.SMITH® Apple Pie Filling
• 1 egg whisked for egg wash
• 2 tbsps of turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piecrust into 12 inch circle, and place in an greased 9 inch glass/ceramic pie plate. Press firmly against side and bottom of pie plate folding extra crust underneath and pressing on top of rim of pie plate. Crimp edges or leave flat. Use a fork to pierce the crust gently all over the bottom and up the sides of the pie and then refrigerate.

2. In a small bowl, mix 4 teaspoons of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of sugar. On lightly floured surface roll the other piecrust into an oblong shape or as close to a rectangle as possible. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar and the cinnamon mixture to within quarter inch of the edges. Starting at the longest edge tightly roll into a log, pressing seam together and pinching ends to seal. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 400°F; place large cookie sheet on bottom rack of the oven to catch any drippings.

4. Remove pie and pie plate from the fridge and fill with the apple pie filling and set aside for a minute while you cut the dough log. Remove dough log from fridge and trim ends of it and then cut it into approximately 40 slices. Arrange slices over apple mixture, brush the pie crust edges and the slices with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. (*If you need extra cinnamon rolls refrigerate pie while you make more)

5. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 40 to 45 minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown. If the edges or the top of the pie begin to brown too quickly, cover withaluminum foil

6. Remove from oven once done and cool completely before serving

* For a basic and simple homemade pie dough recipe check this post.

Recipe Note

Depending on the size of your dough log and size of your pie plate you may need to use an extra pie dough and extra cinnamon and sugar to make a third log roll.