Apple Cinnamon Roll

With fall approaching {it can’t come soon enough for me!} and school back in session, everything is coming up apples around here.  I made an apple cinnamon roll for each of my kids on their first day of school but these sweet treats would be fun to bake for any fall day!  And the best part?  They start with storebought refrigerated cinnamon rolls so they’re quick and easy!

Ready to see how simple they are to make?  Start with a package of refrigerated cinnamon rolls.  Carefully separate the rolls and place them on a greased baking sheet, pulling the end out slightly to form the leaf.

Bake the rolls according to package directions.  Remove from the oven and immediately poke a pretzel stem into the top of each roll {if you wait, the rolls will harden slightly and it will be hard to push the pretzel in}.

Let the cinnamon rolls cool while you prepare the icing.

Separate a container of storebought cream cheese icing and, with food coloring, tint 1/3 of the icing green and 2/3 of the icing red.

Using a pastry bag or a plastic bag with the corner clipped off, pipe a leaf shape onto the end of the roll with the green icing.

Using the red icing, cover the rest of the cinnamon roll, piping in a spiral formation.  You could also spread the icing on but it looks a bit cuter this way.

These apple-shaped cinnamon rolls make a perfect back to school treat or a fun fall snack.  Either way, an apple cinnamon roll is cute and delicious and the kids will love them!

For more apple related ideas for back to school, be sure to check out these apple-shaped hand pies …

… a back to school apple cone …

… and a cute, upcycled apple favor treat box for a teacher gift or the first day of school!