Introduction

Get ready to fill your kitchen with the cozy aroma of homemade apple cinnamon rolls! Imagine sinking your teeth into incredibly soft, fluffy spirals bursting with sweet, tender spiced apples. These delightful rolls are then generously topped with a rich, irresistible brown butter maple icing, creating a truly decadent experience. They are the perfect comforting breakfast or sweet treat, making any morning feel like a special occasion.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Rolls

You’ll adore these apple cinnamon rolls for so many reasons! Their dough is incredibly soft and fluffy, making every bite a delightful dream. The warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling creates a wonderful contrast with the tender roll. That rich, irresistible brown butter maple icing takes these to a whole new level of deliciousness. These apple cinnamon rolls are truly perfect for cozy mornings, festive holiday brunches, or any time you crave a comforting treat. Plus, this recipe is super easy to follow, even for beginners. Get ready for a family-favorite, crowd-pleasing dessert!

Ingredients

Crafting deliciously fragrant apple cinnamon rolls begins with selecting fresh, quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating these warm, apple-filled treats, from the soft, pillowy dough to the rich brown butter maple icing. Here’s everything you’ll need to gather before you start baking your batch.

For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
3 large eggs
3 1/2 -4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped

For the Brown Butter Maple Icing:

4 tablespoons salted butter
6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup maple syrup
2-3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Notes & Substitutions

Don’t worry if you need to make a few minor adjustments! You can easily swap active dry yeast for instant yeast; simply skip the initial proofing step. Feel free to use any milk you have on hand, whether it is whole, almond, or oat milk. If you opt for unsalted butter, remember to add an extra pinch of salt to the dough mixture for balanced flavor. For an extra-chewy texture in your apple cinnamon rolls, consider using bread flour instead of all-purpose. Granny Smith apples make a wonderful, tarter filling if you prefer a less sweet profile. Adjust the powdered sugar in the icing for your desired consistency, making it thicker or thinner. Finally, honey or corn syrup can substitute maple syrup in the icing if absolutely needed.

When choosing apples for baking, it’s often recommended to use a mix of tart and sweet varieties to achieve a balanced flavor profile, as highlighted by resources like Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Equipment

Making these apple cinnamon rolls is a breeze with the right tools. Grab your stand mixer with a dough hook, mixing bowls, and measuring essentials. You’ll also need a rolling pin, a 9×13 inch baking dish, and a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the rolls. Don’t forget a small saucepan for browning butter and a whisk.

Instructions

Get ready to create amazing apple cinnamon rolls right at home with these straightforward, step-by-step instructions. We break down the process into easy, manageable tasks, ensuring your baking journey is enjoyable and leads to truly delicious results. Let’s begin creating these wonderful homemade treats!

Activate Yeast: In your stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes until bubbly. This confirms your yeast is active.
Prepare Dough: Add butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups flour, and salt. Mix with the dough hook until flour incorporates, about 4-5 minutes. If sticky, add more flour gradually until smooth.
First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough sit at room temperature for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Make Filling: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Roll Dough: Punch dough down. Roll onto a lightly floured surface into a large 12 x 18 inch rectangle.
Add Filling: Spread softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle chopped apples, then the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Roll and Slice: Tightly roll the dough into a log from the long edge. Pinch to seal. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut into 12-15 rolls.
Second Rise: Place rolls in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C).
Bake Rolls: Bake the apple cinnamon rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
Make Icing: In a small pot, brown the butter over medium heat until it smells nutty (2-3 minutes). Remove immediately. Whisk the browned butter with cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
Frost & Serve: Spread the warm, luscious icing generously over the freshly baked rolls. Serve your homemade apple cinnamon rolls immediately and enjoy!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieve perfect apple cinnamon rolls every time with these helpful hints.

Perfect Dough: Avoid over-flouring the dough; it should remain slightly sticky for the best texture.
Yeast Activation: Ensure your milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
Even Rolling: Roll your dough to a consistent thickness for uniform rolls.
Tight Rolls: Roll the log tightly from end to end for beautiful, classic spirals.
Brown Butter: Watch butter carefully as it browns; remove from heat once it smells nutty to avoid burning.
Warm Icing: Apply icing to warm, not hot, rolls for perfect melting.
Sticky Dough Solution: Add flour gradually, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth.
Dough Not Rising: Check yeast freshness and confirm milk temperature.

For further guidance on ensuring your yeast is active and ready, resources like The Kitchn offer detailed steps for proofing yeast effectively.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Make Ahead & Freezing

Overnight: Prepare rolls through second rise. Cover, refrigerate. Let warm 30-60 minutes before baking.
Freeze Unbaked: Assemble through second rise. Freeze until solid, then bag. Bake from frozen (add 10-15 mins) or thaw.
Freeze Baked: Bake, cool, wrap individually. Freeze up to 1 month. Reheat.

Storage

Store cooled apple cinnamon rolls in an airtight container up to 2 days room temp, 5 days refrigerated. Reheat gently.

Variations

Get creative with your apple cinnamon rolls by trying these fun variations.

Apple Varieties: Use Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn for different flavors.
Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling.
Spice It Up: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice to the cinnamon mixture.
Caramel Drizzle: Add homemade caramel sauce after icing.
Less Sweet Icing: Reduce the powdered sugar amount to taste.

Nutrition

Enjoying delicious apple cinnamon rolls also provides satisfying energy for your day. Each serving, which is generously one roll, contains approximately 545 kcal. These rolls offer a good source of carbohydrates for sustained energy and beneficial fats, making them a hearty treat. Please remember that this nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutritional Component	Amount
Calories	545 kcal
Serving Size	1 roll

FAQ

Can I knead the dough by hand for these apple cinnamon rolls? Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. Expect it to take around 10-15 minutes to achieve a smooth, elastic consistency.
What kind of apples are best for the filling? Honeycrisp apples are excellent for their sweetness and firm texture. Granny Smith also works beautifully for a tart filling.
Can I omit the maple syrup from the icing? Yes, omit the maple syrup if desired. Replace it with an equal amount of milk to maintain the correct icing consistency.
Why is my dough sticky? Sticky dough indicates too much moisture. Add flour slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth.
How do I know if my yeast is active? Active yeast becomes bubbly and foamy on top after 5-10 minutes in warm milk and sugar. This confirms it is alive and ready.
Can I use unsalted butter in this recipe? Yes, unsalted butter is perfectly fine. Add an extra pinch of salt to the dough mixture for balance.
How do I prevent soggy apples in my rolls? Chop apples finely to help them cook evenly. Avoid overfilling the dough, which can release too much moisture.

Conclusion

You’re now ready to bake the most delightful apple cinnamon rolls right in your own kitchen! This comforting recipe guarantees soft, tender apple-filled spirals topped with that irresistible brown butter maple icing. They are a perfect treat for any season, bringing warmth and joy, especially during the cozy fall months. Don’t wait another moment to fill your home with their amazing, sweet aroma and create cherished memories.