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Apple cinnamon rolls are the perfect combination of soft, fluffy dough and a warm, sweet apple cinnamon filling. These homemade rolls are baked until golden and finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting that melts beautifully over the warm rolls.
If you love homemade sweet rolls, you might also enjoy my soft burger buns recipe, which uses a similar dough technique to create an incredibly tender texture. The combination of apples and cinnamon makes these rolls especially cozy and perfect for cooler days.
Apple cinnamon rolls are a delicious twist on classic cinnamon rolls. The warm cinnamon spice and soft baked apples create a comforting flavor that many people love during the fall season. You can read more about the history of cinnamon rolls to see how this beloved pastry became popular around the world.
These soft apple cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting homemade dessert. They bake up incredibly fluffy with a rich apple filling and creamy frosting that makes every bite irresistible.
These apple cinnamon rolls are incredibly soft, fluffy, and filled with a sweet apple cinnamon mixture that makes every bite rich and comforting. As the rolls bake, the apples become tender and the cinnamon filling creates a warm, delicious aroma throughout the kitchen.
The dough is light and buttery, giving the rolls a soft bakery style texture that stays tender even after baking. Once the rolls come out of the oven, they are topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that melts gently over the warm rolls and adds the perfect creamy sweetness.
Apple cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast, weekend brunch, or a cozy homemade dessert. They are especially popular during the fall season when apples and warm spices are at their best, but honestly they are delicious any time of the year.
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Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Apple Filling Cook Time: 10 to 15 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Difficulty: Easy
- Recipe Type: Sweet rolls, breakfast, dessert
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
Key Ingredients and Helpful Tips
MILK
For this recipe you will need 1 cup of warm milk. The milk should be warm, not hot, about 100 to 105°F. This temperature helps activate the yeast and allows the dough to rise properly. If the milk is too hot it can damage the yeast and the dough may not rise.
Milk also enriches the dough and gives the rolls a soft and tender texture. The natural fats and proteins in milk help create fluffy apple cinnamon rolls with a light crumb. Whole milk is recommended because it adds extra richness and helps keep the rolls soft after baking.
Tip: If you do not have a thermometer, the milk should feel warm to the touch but not hot.
Yeast
This recipe uses 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast to help the dough rise and become light and fluffy. The yeast is first mixed with warm milk and a little sugar to activate it. After a few minutes it should become foamy, which means the yeast is active and ready to use.
Yeast is what creates the airy structure in apple cinnamon rolls. As the dough rises, the yeast produces tiny air bubbles that make the rolls soft, fluffy, and tender after baking.
Tip: If the yeast does not become foamy after 5 to 10 minutes, it may be inactive and should be replaced with fresh yeast.
Flour
All purpose flour works best for this recipe and gives the dough a soft but stable structure. For these apple cinnamon rolls you will need about 3 ½ to 4 cups of flour, depending on the texture of the dough.
Flour forms the base of the dough and helps create the structure of the rolls. When mixed and kneaded properly it develops gluten, which gives the dough elasticity and helps the rolls rise beautifully while baking.
Tip: For best results, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it with a knife instead of scooping directly from the bag.
Butter
Butter adds richness and flavor to the dough while also helping create a soft and tender texture. For this recipe you will need 4 tablespoons of softened butter.
The fat in butter coats the flour particles and helps keep the dough soft. This creates apple cinnamon rolls that stay moist and fluffy even after they cool.
Tip: Use softened butter at room temperature so it mixes easily into the dough and creates a smooth texture.
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Rolls
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (240 ml)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (9 g)
- 5 tablespoons sugar (60 g)
- 4 1/3 cups all purpose flour (520 g)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (70 g)
- 1/2 cup melted butter (115 g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (15 ml)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (9 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (1 g)
For the Apple Filling
- 4 apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup brown sugar (200 g)
- 1 teaspoon salt (5 g)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (8 g)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (15 ml)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16 g)
- 2 tablespoons water (30 ml)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 115 g cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter (28 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g)
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
1. Activate the yeast
In a large bowl pour 1 cup of warm milk. The milk should be warm, about 100 to 105°F (37 to 40°C), so it can properly activate the yeast.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast over the milk, then add a small amount of the sugar. Stir gently to combine.
Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. The yeast should become foamy and slightly bubbly on the surface. This means the yeast is active and ready to be used for the dough.
2. Prepare the Dough
Once the yeast mixture becomes foamy, add the egg, melted butter, and the remaining sugar to the bowl. Mix everything together until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, salt, and cinnamon to the mixture. Begin mixing the dough with your hands until all the ingredients come together.
Continue kneading in the bowl until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth, soft, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
3. First Rise
Lightly coat the dough with a small amount of oil to prevent it from drying out while it rises. This also helps keep the surface of the dough soft and smooth.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot in your kitchen. Let the dough rest for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
During this time the yeast will begin to work and create air bubbles inside the dough. This process is what makes apple cinnamon rolls soft, fluffy, and light after baking.
4. Prepare the Apples
While the dough is resting and rising, you can prepare the apples for the filling. Start by washing the apples well under running water to remove any dirt or residue.
Next, peel the apples and remove the cores. Cutting out the core helps create a smoother filling and ensures there are no tough pieces in the rolls.
Once the apples are peeled and cleaned, cut them into small cubes. Try to keep the pieces fairly even in size so they cook evenly later when preparing the apple filling.
These small apple pieces will become soft and tender during cooking and will create a delicious, sweet apple cinnamon filling inside the rolls.
5. Cook the Apple Filling
evenly coated with the sugar and warm spices. This step allows the apples to absorb the flavor of the cinnamon and vanilla as they begin to heat.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the apples, stirring occasionally so they cook evenly and do not stick to the bottom of the pan. As the apples cook they will slowly begin to soften and release their natural juices. The brown sugar will melt and combine with the cinnamon, creating a rich and flavorful apple mixture. At this point the kitchen will start to fill with the wonderful aroma of warm cinnamon and sweet apples, making the whole house smell cozy and inviting.
Continue cooking the apples until they become soft and tender but still hold their shape. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with the water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the saucepan and stir well so it blends into the apples. Cook for another minute or two until the filling thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the apple filling to cool slightly before spreading it over the dough.
6. Shape the Dough and Add the Filling
Once the dough has doubled in size, gently transfer it onto a lightly floured work surface. The dough should feel soft, airy, and smooth after resting.
Using your hands, begin to gently stretch and shape the dough into a large rectangle. Take your time and slowly press and pull the dough outward until it becomes evenly flattened. The dough should be soft and flexible, making it easy to shape without tearing.
Next, spread a thin layer of softened butter over the surface of the dough. This layer of butter adds extra flavor and helps create a rich, soft texture inside the rolls.
Once the butter is evenly spread, begin adding the prepared apple filling over the dough. Use a spoon to distribute the apples across the surface, making sure the filling is spread evenly from edge to edge.
Finally, gently spread the apples so they form a nice, even layer over the dough. Try to keep the apples well distributed so every roll will be filled with the sweet apple cinnamon mixture.
7. Cut and Shape the Rolls
Once the apple filling is evenly spread over the dough, begin cutting the dough into long strips. Use a knife or a dough cutter to cut the dough into even strips, making sure each strip has a good amount of apple filling.
Take one strip of dough and gently start rolling it into a spiral shape. Roll it carefully so the apples stay inside the dough and the roll keeps its nice shape.
As you roll the dough, you will start to see the beautiful layers of soft dough and apple filling forming inside the roll. Each roll should look full and nicely layered.
Hold the finished roll in your hand and gently adjust the shape if needed. The roll should be compact but not too tight so it can rise nicely while baking.
Place each roll into a prepared baking dish or pan. Arrange the rolls next to each other, leaving a small amount of space between them so they have room to rise.
Continue placing the rolls into the pan until the dish is filled. The rolls should sit close together, which helps them stay soft and fluffy while baking.
Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes, or until they become beautifully golden brown and fully baked.
8. Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls are baking in the oven, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a mixing bowl add the cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and powdered sugar.
Using a whisk or hand mixer, beat all the ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined. The glaze should have a soft and spreadable texture.
Once the glaze is fully mixed, place the bowl in the refrigerator while the rolls finish baking. This helps the glaze stay slightly firm and ready to spread over the warm apple cinnamon rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.
9. Freshly Baked Rolls
Once the apple cinnamon rolls are finished baking, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. The rolls should be beautifully golden brown on top and soft in the center.
As the rolls come out of the oven, the warm aroma of baked dough, cinnamon, and sweet apples will fill the kitchen. The rolls should look fluffy and slightly puffed, with the apple filling gently bubbling between the layers.
Allow the rolls to rest for a few minutes in the baking dish before adding the glaze. This short resting time helps the rolls settle and makes them easier to spread with the cream cheese topping.
10. Spread the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the rolls are still warm, take the cream cheese glaze out of the refrigerator. Using a spoon or spatula, gently spread the glaze over the freshly baked rolls.
The warmth of the rolls will slowly melt the glaze, allowing it to spread smoothly over the soft layers of dough. As the glaze melts, it seeps slightly into the rolls and adds a rich, creamy sweetness to every bite.
Continue spreading the glaze evenly across the rolls until the tops are nicely coated. The combination of warm apple cinnamon rolls and creamy glaze creates a soft, sweet, and irresistible finish.
Storing and Freezing Apple Cinnamon Rolls
If you have leftover apple cinnamon rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keeping them covered helps maintain their soft texture and prevents them from drying out.
For longer storage, place the rolls in the refrigerator where they will stay fresh for up to 4 to 5 days. Before serving, warm the rolls slightly in the microwave or oven so they become soft again and the cream cheese glaze melts gently.
Apple cinnamon rolls can also be frozen. Place the completely cooled rolls in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the rolls at room temperature and warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes until soft and warm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Can I make apple cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the rolls the night before. After shaping the rolls and placing them in the baking dish, cover the pan and store it in the refrigerator overnight. The next day let the rolls sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
What are the best apples to use for apple cinnamon rolls?
Firm apples work best because they hold their shape during cooking. Popular choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be used instead of active dry yeast. You can mix it directly with the flour without activating it in milk first. The amount of yeast stays the same.
Why are my cinnamon rolls not soft and fluffy?
Cinnamon rolls can become dense if too much flour is added or if the dough does not rise long enough. Make sure the dough has time to double in size and stays soft before shaping.
Can I freeze apple cinnamon rolls before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the shaped rolls before baking. Place them in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and allow them to rise before baking.
Watch the Full Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Video
If you would like to see the entire process, watch the full step by step video below. The video shows how to prepare the dough, cook the apple filling, shape the rolls, and finish them with the creamy cream cheese glaze.
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
Nutrition per roll
Calories: 320
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Sugar: 24 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sodium: 220 mg
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