Posted on by Sweet Bacon & Pecans

The Best Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Soft and gooey apple cinnamon rolls are one of the best fall recipes to make for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. 

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Looking for the perfect fall dessert or fall brunch recipe? Apple cinnamon rolls are one of the best sweet treats to make this season.

If you’re obsessed with fall baking, then apple cinnamon rolls are a must try recipe. They’re super easy to make and perfect for serving at brunch or as a cozy dessert when the weather cools down.

Using fresh apples not only gives these cinnamon rolls a deliciously fruity twist, but also makes the most of the season’s best produce. Fresh apples add a new spin to a classic cinnamon roll recipe.

Imagine biting into soft, fluffy dough filled with warm, spiced apples and topped a sweet vanilla glaze—it’s the ultimate autumn treat. Whether you’re hosting a fall get together or just craving something homemade and comforting, these apple cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to hit the spot!

In This Post:

What are Apple Cinnamon Rolls?

Apple cinnamon rolls are one of the best fall recipes, combining everything there is to love about the season into a warm, comforting treat. They’re basically like classic cinnamon rolls but with a twist—the filling is packed with fresh, tart apples cooked down with cinnamon, sugar, and butter. The dough is soft and fluffy, and when you roll it all up and bake it, the whole house smells like fall. It’s the perfect cozy vibe.

Apple cinnamon rolls are great to make in the fall because apples are in season, and they taste fresh and amazing. There’s something special about using fresh, crisp apples at their peak.

Plus, the combination of cinnamon and apples just screams autumn. The flavors are so warm and comforting, perfect for those cooler days when you start craving for something sweet and indulgent.

These rolls are also great for sharing, whether it’s a family brunch or a weekend breakfast with friends. Apple cinnamon rolls are a total crowd pleaser, and the vanilla icing on top just makes them even more irresistible. These cinnamon rolls are more than just a dessert—they’re a way to embrace the season and bring a little extra warmth into the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this apple cinnamon rolls recipe because it’s basically fall in a roll. The dough is super soft and fluffy, and the apple filling has that perfect mix of warm spices and sweet chunks of apple.

Topping apple cinnamon rolls off with a sweet vanilla icing makes every bite irresistible. Plus, the smell of these baking in the oven is like a cozy fall hug for your kitchen. It’s perfect for a chilly morning or any time you want to impress friends and family with something that’s both delicious and perfect for the season.

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Apple Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients

Here is a breakdown of all the ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious apple cinnamon rolls. Each of these ingredients plays a key role in making these apple cinnamon rolls super flavorful, soft, and totally irresistible. When it comes to making cinnamon rolls, it’s worth getting the good stuff—like fresh apples, real butter, and quality vanilla—because it can make all the difference!

For the Dough:

  • All Purpose Flour (3 ½ to 4 cups, sifted). All purpose flour forms the base of your cinnamon roll dough, giving it structure and that soft, fluffy texture we all love in cinnamon rolls. Start by making the dough mixture with 3 ½ cups of flour. If you find that the dough is sticky, add a few tablespoons of flour at a time until the dough thickens up and becomes smooth when kneaded.
  • Granulated Sugar (¼ cup). Adding a little sugar to the dough helps it rise better and adds just a touch of sweetness.
  • Active Dry Yeast (2 ¼ tsp). Yeast is what makes the dough rise, giving you those soft, pillowy rolls.
  • Salt (½ tsp). Add just a bit of salt to balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor of the cinnamon rolls.
  • Warm Milk (¾ cup). Warm milk helps activate the yeast, and it makes the dough richer and softer. Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Unsalted Butter, melted (¼ cup). Butter adds richness and moisture to the dough, making it extra flavorful tender.
  • Egg (1 large). Egg helps to bind the dough together and adds a little extra richness.
  • Vanilla Extract (1 tsp). A bit of vanilla extract gives the dough a subtle flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples and cinnamon.

For the Apple Filling:

  • Apples (4 large, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or other cooking apples). Crisp, fresh apples are the star of the filling. Granny Smith apples are tart and hold their shape well, while Honeycrisp apples are sweet and juicy.
  • Unsalted Butter (½ cup). Butter helps to cook the apples down, and it creates a rich, caramel like sauce with the sugar.
  • Brown Sugar (1 cup). Brown sugar sweetens the apple filling and adds a deep, caramel flavor to the mix.
  • Ground Cinnamon (2 tbsp). Cinnamon is essential for that warm, spicy flavor that makes these rolls so comforting.
  • Ground Nutmeg (½ tsp, optional). A pinch of nutmeg adds a little extra warmth and depth to the apple filling.
  • All Purpose Flour (2 tbsp). Add a small amount of flour to help thicken the apple filling so it stays nice and gooey without being too runny.
  • Lemon Juice (2 tsp). A splash of lemon juice keeps the apples from browning, and it adds a subtle brightness to balance the out the sweetness of the filling.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

  • Brown Sugar (1 cup). Use brown sugar make a cinnamon sugar blend to sweeten the inside of the cinnamon rolls and also to create that classic gooey cinnamon swirl.
  • Ground Cinnamon (3 tbsp). More ground cinnamon means double the flavor in every bite.
  • Unsalted Butter, softened (½ cup). Softened butter makes it easy to spread butter over the dough. The butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick, and it gives the apple cinnamon rolls rich, buttery flavor.

For the Icing:

  • Powdered Sugar (2 cups). Powdered sugar forms the base of the sweet icing for the cinnamon rolls.
  • Milk or Heavy Cream (3 to 6 tbsp). Use a small amount of liquid to thin out the icing to the perfect drizzle-able consistency. Start with 3 tablespoons of milk or cream, and add more as needed by the tablespoonful.
  • Vanilla Extract (2 tsp). Vanilla adds a warm flavor to the icing that complements the cinnamon and apples perfectly.

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How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Making apple cinnamon rolls is one of the best fall baking projects! Cinnamon rolls are easy to make, but they do require some time when it comes to preparing the ingredients and letting the dough rise. Here you’ll find some tips for making delicious apple cinnamon rolls.

Set aside a few hours to make the rolls. Once they’ve ready, you can indulge in a decadent treat that is perfect for the fall season.

1—Proof the yeast.

Make a soft dough by mixing warm milk, yeast, sugar, melted butter, an egg, and vanilla. First, proof the yeast by sprinkling the yeast over warm milk that has been heated to 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit and mixed with a few tablespoons of granulated sugar.

Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast is nice and foamy. While the yeast is proofing, sift out 4 cups of flour to use for making the cinnamon roll dough (sifting helps to remove lumps from the flour). 

2—Mix the dough.

Add remaining sugar, salt, butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Whisk gently to combine the ingredients.

Add 3 ½ cups of the sifted flour to the mixture in batches, whisking after each addition. Once the dough starts to thicken up, switch to using a spatula to blend it.

Once the dough ingredients start to hold together, turn the dough onto a floured surface to knead it until the dough has a smooth texture that is soft and elastic (this generally takes about 5 to 10 minutes of kneading).

If you find that the dough is too sticky, add a sprinkle of flour at a time until the dough thickens up and becomes smooth when kneaded. The dough should require about 3 ½ to 4 cups total to make a nice smooth dough.

On the other hand, if the dough is to dry, then add a tablespoon or two of milk at a time, to get the right consistency. The dough should be smooth and pliable, and it should hold it’s shape easily.

Place the dough into a greased large mixing bowl. Cover the dough, and sit the bowl in a warm place to rise. Let the dough rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. 

3—Make the apple filling.

While the dough is rising, move on making to the apple filling for the cinnamon rolls.

Core, peel, and dice 4 medium apples—a blend of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples works well to add sweet and tart flavors to the filling. But you can use whatever cooking apples that you like or have on hand. Also, you can leave the apple peel on if you like.

Sauté the diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, until the apples are nice and tender. Cook the apples for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in a small amount of sifted flour to help thicken the sauce as the apples cook and break down. Cook the apples for about 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently. Remove the apples from heat, and let them cool down to room temperature before using them to fill the dough.

The recipe should make about 3 to 3 ½ cups of apple filling for the cinnamon rolls. You can use more or less apple filling to make the cinnamon rolls (about 2 to 2 ½ cups seems to be about right), but save a cup or so of apple filling to top the cinnamon rolls once they are done baking, if desired. 

4—Roll out the dough.

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch down the dough to release air, and then turn the dough onto a floured surface to roll it out. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches.

Spread the top of the dough with softened butter, leaving a ½ inch margin or border between the edge of the butter and the edge of the dough on all four sides of the dough.

Sprinkle a mix of cinnamon and brown sugar evenly over the top of the butter. Use the back of a spoon to very gently press the cinnamon sugar mix into the dough.

The recipe for cinnamon sugar mix should make about 1 cup of the blend—you can use more or less of the blend according to how sweet you want the rolls to be. About ⅔ to ¾ cup seems to be just the right amount when making cinnamon rolls, but your preferences may vary.

Next, spread the apple filling over the cinnamon sugar mix evenly. Leave about ½ inch margin or border around all sides of the dough—the apple filling will spread out as you roll the dough into a log. 

Once the apple filling is spread over the dough, roll the dough up tightly lengthwise into a log shape. Press gently but firmly to enclose the cinnamon apple filling in the roll as you go.

Slice the dough log it into 12 rolls of equal size. To do this, divide the dough into fourths, and then slice each fourth of dough into thirds. Use a serrated bread knife to carefully cut the dough.

Arrange the rolls in a 9×13 inch baking dish, and let the dough rise again for about 25 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip: Line the inside of the baking dish with  parchment paper before adding the rolls to the dish. This helps to make cleanup easier.

5—Bake the apple cinnamon rolls.

Bake the apple cinnamon rolls at 350 F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are fully cooked and golden brown.

While the cinnamon rolls cool for a bit,  make a simple vanilla icing for the rolls. Blend together 2 cups of sifted confectioners sugar with a few tablespoons of milk or cream and 2 teaspoons of vanilla until a smooth icing forms.

Drizzle the icing over the cinnamon rolls, using as much or as little of the icing as you like—depending on how sweet you like your cinnamon rolls to be. Serve the cinnamon rolls with extra apple filling, for a more sweet and tart flavor.

Dig in while the apple cinnamon rolls are still warm—and enjoy a taste of incredible fall baked goodness! These decadent cinnamon rolls make a delicious treat for the autumn season.

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Tips for Making the Best Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Here are some tips for making the best apple cinnamon rolls.

  • Use the right types of apples. Some apples are better to use for baking than others. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp make great baking apples. They hold up well during the baking process, and a blend of the two balances out the sweetness with a nice tartness.
  • Don’t rush the dough. Give the cinnamon roll dough plenty of time to rise—the process makes the rolls extra fluffy. Proof the yeast by activating it in a mixture of warm water and sugar, before adding the other ingredients to make the dough. Let the dough rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which usually takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Use fresh yeast for best results.
  • Cook the apples until just tender. When making the apple filling, sauté the apples until they’re just tender. You want them soft, but not mushy, so that they hold their shape in the rolls. Reserve some of the cooked apples to spoon over the tops of the cinnamon rolls before serving them.
  • Roll out the dough evenly. When rolling out the dough, try to keep it as even as possible. This helps the rolls to bake more evenly, and they look good when you slice them.Cut the cinnamon roll dough with floss. Instead of using a knife to slice the rolled up dough, use unflavored dental floss to cut it instead. Floss cuts cleanly through the dough without squishing it down, so you can get perfectly shaped round rolls.
  • Use parchment paper. Lining the baking dish with parchment paper can make it easier to clean up once the rolls are done. The parchment paper creates a layer between the cinnamon rolls and the pan, making them easier to remove once they’ve baked to a delicious and gooey state. 
  • Bake the rolls until golden. Bake the rolls until they’re just turning golden brown. This keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out. If they start browning too quickly, cover the pan with foil for the last few minutes. Let the cinnamon rolls cool before removing them from the pan.
  • Add icing while the rolls are warm. Drizzle the icing while the rolls are still warm. It melts slightly into the rolls, making them gooey and extra delicious. Let the rolls cool for a few minutes before adding the icing, so that the icing doesn’t melt when it touches the apples and bread.

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Storing Apple Cinnamon Rolls

To keep apple cinnamon rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store extra apple filling in a separate airtight container, and spoon it over the cinnamon rolls just before warming up and eating them.

To reheat, warm the cinnamon rolls in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds, or just long enough to get that fresh baked softness back.

Apple cinnamon rolls can also be frozen. To freeze apple cinnamon rolls: Let the rolls cool, and then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cinnamon rolls in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container.

Wrapping the rolls individually before freezing makes it easier to grab just one if you need it. The cinnamon rolls can be frozen for up to 2 months.

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Side Dishes for Apple Cinnamon Rolls

When serving apple cinnamon rolls, it’s often best to keep it simple and let the rolls shine, but adding a few side dishes or toppings can make things even more special.

A side of fresh fruit, like sliced pears or mixed berries, adds a nice, light contrast to cinnamon rolls. Or for a bit of extra indulgence, serve the apple cinnamon rolls with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

If you’re feeling fancy, then a sprinkle of toasted nuts or a drizzle of caramel sauce can take warm apple cinnamon rolls to the next level. These little extras make the rolls feel like an irresistible, full on treat!

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Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Here is how to make delicious apple cinnamon rolls that are full of seasonal flavors like fresh apples and ground cinnamon. Apple cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any time you need a sweet, fall inspired treat.

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Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple recipes, fall recipes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rest/Rise Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 12
Author Sweet Bacon & Pecans

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all purpose flour plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm milk around 110 degrees Fahrenheit
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Apple Filling:

  • 4 large apples
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg optional
  • 2 Tbsp all purpose flour sifted
  • 2 tsp lemon juice

For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Vanilla Icing:

  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 6 Tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

  • Start by mixing warm milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes until the yeast gets foamy.
  • Add the remaining granulated sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Stir all of the ingredients together. Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
  • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough remains sticky, add extra flour by the tablespoonful and knead until the dough becomes smooth and pliable.
  • Place the dough into a large, greased mixing bowl. Cover the bowl, and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the dough doubles in size.

Prepare the Apple Filling:

  • While the dough is resting, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (optional) to the skillet.
  • Cook the apples for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re tender and the mixture starts to thicken. Stir frequently to help keep the apples from burning.
  • Stir in the flour and lemon juice, cooking for another minute or two until the sauce thickens up. Remove the skillet from heat, and let the apple filling cool completely.
  • Divide the cooked apple filling, reserving about 1 cup to serve over the baked cinnamon rolls once they are done. The remaining apple filling will be used to fill the cinnamon rolls.

Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls:

  • Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shaping it into a 16 x 12 inch rectangular shape. Spread ½ cup softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ½ inch border on all edges of the dough.
  • Whisk together 1 cup of brown sugar and 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon until the ingredients are well blended. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the butter.
  • Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the cinnamon sugar layer, reserving some of the apple filling to serve later with the baked cinnamon rolls.
  • Roll the apple cinnamon roll dough up tightly from the longest edge to form a log. Divide the log into quarters, and then slice each quarter into thirds, to create 12 apple cinnamon rolls. Arrange the cinnamon rolls in a 9×13 inch baking dish that is lined with parchment paper.

Bake the Apple Cinnamon Rolls:

  • Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 25 to 30 minutes. Then preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Bake the apple cinnamon rolls in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the apple cinnamon rolls from the oven, and let them cool for a few minutes before topping the cinnamon rolls with icing.

Serve the Apple Cinnamon Rolls:

  • While the apple cinnamon rolls are baking, make a sweet vanilla flavored icing by mixing together sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or heavy cream. Start with 3 tablespoons of liquid and add more as needed to get the desired consistency while mixing the ingredients together.
  • Drizzle the vanilla icing over the warm apple cinnamon rolls. If desired, spoon extra apple filling over the cinnamon rolls just before serving.

Notes

  • Slice one or more apples into larger pieces that can be used to top the apple cinnamon rolls after the rolls are baked.

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