These apple cream cheese pinwheels are filled with a layer of sweet cream cheese mixture and then topped with a homemade apple filling that is spread out over the convenient and versatile Pillsbury pizza dough. They are rolled up like cinnamon rolls and cut into 1-inch slices and are baked to golden perfection. Then, a delightful glaze drizzle and decadent caramel sauce transform these pinwheels into a show-stopping dessert everyone will enjoy.
I love apple pie in any form. Of course, classic apple pie is always great, but I also love to take that flavor and add it to other treats. This time around, I’ve taken apple filling and a sweet cream cheese mixture and rolled them up into delicious pinwheels with a fun, chewy twist. I use pizza dough instead of crescent dough. It’s a simple switch that adds a soft, chewy texture to the sweet and savory filling. It’s a delicious dessert, afternoon snack, or a sweet breakfast.
Apple Cream Cheese Pinwheels
These pinwheels start with a sweet cream cheese mixture and homemade apple pie filling. I roll out the pizza dough and top it with the cream cheese mixture. Then, I spoon the apple filling on top of it and roll the whole thing up into a tight roll. I slice it into 1-inch-thick pieces and bake them until they’re golden. Finally, I drizzle them with a simple glaze and watch them disappear. It’s an easy recipe that only takes about 40 minutes from start to finish and always has everyone excited to dig in!
Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Apple Pinwheel Recipe
- These pinwheels use pizza dough, a surprising yet delicious swap for traditional pastry dough. It offers a slightly chewy texture that complements the creamy filling.
- The sweet cream cheese mixture and the homemade apple filling combine to create a double dose of deliciousness in every bite.
- They have another layer of sweetness with the simple glaze drizzle and the caramel sauce, which makes these apple cream cheese pinwheels simply irresistible.
Apple Cream Cheese Pinwheel Ingredients
You’ll only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe, and they’re all pantry staples. If you do happen to need anything for this recipe, you’ll be able to snag it in just a few minutes at your local grocery store.
- Granny Smith apples are tart, delicious, and adds a bit of sweetness to the pinwheels.
- Granulated sugar adds sweetness to both the apple pie filling and the glaze drizzle.
- Water is used to mix with the cornstarch to help thicken up the apple filling.
- Cornstarch is used to thicken up the apple filling.
- Lemon juice helps keep the apples from turning brown.
- Ground cinnamon pairs well with apples adding a warm spiced taste to the apple filling.
- Cream cheese adds the rich, creamy base for the pinwheels
- Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cream cheese filling mixture.
- Pillsbury classic pizza dough provides the base for the pinwheels.
- Powdered sugar adds sweetness to the glaze that is drizzled over the pinwheels.
- Milk is used to make the glaze drizzle.
- Ghirardelli caramel sauce provides additional sweetness along with the glaze drizzle.
How to Make Apple Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Making these pinwheels is very easy. It only takes a few minutes of cooking, mixing, and rolling. After that, you just bake your pinwheels and enjoy. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in about 40 minutes!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Apple Filling
Add the diced apples, water, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface, forming it into a rectangle.
Step 5: Top
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving ½ inch of space around the edges. Then, spoon the apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
Step 6: Roll and Cut
Starting from one of the shorter sides, roll the dough as tightly as possible into a log. Then, cut it into 1-inch-thick pieces.
Step 7: Bake
Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake the pinwheels for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool while you make the glaze.
Step 8: Make the Glaze
Combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl, mixing until fully combined. Drizzle the pinwheels with the glaze and caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Stir your apple filling often, or even continuously, while it thickens to prevent scorching.
- Be sure your cream cheese is fully softened so it blends easily and fully with the other filling ingredients.
- Be gentle when forming your pizza dough into a rectangle so you don’t rip it.
- Roll the pinwheels as tightly as possible before cutting so they hold their shape.
- Use a very sharp knife so you don’t have to press down while cutting the pinwheels. This helps prevent them from squishing down as you cut.
Variations
- You can use store-bought apple filling if you prefer.
- Make your favorite filling using diced pears, peaches, pineapple, or berries.
- If you prefer a more classic texture, feel free to use crescent dough.
What to Serve with Apple Pinwheels
Serve these pinwheels to the kids with a glass of cold milk. Adults can enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea. These make a great snack or sweet breakfast with fresh fruit or dipped into vanilla glaze. You can also serve them as a sweet addition to a larger breakfast with savory items like sausage, bacon, eggs, biscuits, gravy, or any of your other favorites.
Recipe FAQ
Apple cream cheese pinwheels are a pastry variation made of crescent or pizza dough topped with a sweet cream cheese mixture and apple filling, rolled into a log, sliced into pinwheels, and baked until golden.
You can make the apple and cream cheese fillings the night before, then leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before continuing with the recipe as directed.
Dessert pinwheels like these will last for about 4 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
These pinwheels reheat reasonably well, but they’re best when served fresh from the oven. At that time, they’re at their peak freshness, flavor, and texture. I don’t recommend making them in advance for this reason.
These apple pinwheels are freezer-friendly and can be stored for up to a month in the freezer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pinwheels
Refrigerate these pinwheels for up to 4 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat the pinwheels, microwave them covered with a damp paper towel at 30-second intervals until heated through.
Try These Delicious Apple Pinwheels Today
These apple pinwheels are full of flavor, not work. With around 40 minutes in the kitchen, you’ll be able to make these sweet and tangy pinwheels that have a lovely chewiness to them and tons of classic apple and cream cheese flavor. Give them a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
More Apple Dessert Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler is a delicious cobbler recipe made with juicy, tart apples, chopped pecans, an incredible homemade caramel sauce, a delicious cobbler topping, and more caramel drizzled over the top. A family favorite cobbler recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Apple Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peel, core and chop into small chunks (about 4 cups)
- 1½ cups water
- ¾ cups sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Pillsbury classic pizza dough
Glaze Drizzle
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° and lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Apple Filling
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add diced apples, water, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir frequently until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla together until smooth.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over dough in an even layer half inch from the edges.
- Spoon the apple mixture over the cream cheese mixture and tightly roll up.
- Slice dough approximately 1-inch thick and place on the prepared baking sheet. Reshape if needed.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool while making the glaze.
Glaze Drizzle
- In a small bowl, add powdered sugar and milk. Mix until combined.
- Top each pinwheel with glaze drizzle once cooled.
Notes
Nutrition
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