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Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are an absolute delight. Pillowy, soft dough is nestled together with a generous amount of gooey brown sugar cinnamon filling and buttery cinnamon sugar apples. These apple cinnamon rolls are easy to make and taste delicious!

apple cinnamon rolls

I absolutely love apple season, but for me, apple season isn’t really a season. I enjoy eating apple treats all year long! I just feel like apples are always in season. Now, the thing I do love about actual apple season is going to the apple orchard and picking fresh apples off of the trees. It’s one of my favorite fall activities!

These apple cinnamon rolls are the perfect fall, or any time of year treat. Soft cinnamon roll dough is combined with a delicious buttery, cinnamon sugar apple filling. The whole recipe takes roughly 90 minutes to make and trust me, these are well worth those 90 minutes!

I love eating these as a sweet treat for breakfast or brunch, or honestly as a dessert after dinner. I feel like apple desserts are one of those desserts that most people like, so if you are looking to provide a sweet treat for friends or family, I highly recommend making these apple cinnamon rolls.

The details

The Ingredients

Here is what you will need to make these apple cinnamon rolls.

  • Dough
    • warm milk (warmed to 110 degrees F) – The milk in this dough helps tenderize the crumb of the bread, making it softer and fluffier. It also sweetens the dough, which helps create that characteristic sweet cinnamon roll dough taste. The milk needs to be warmed to a temperature range of 108-112 degrees F (technically you can target a wider range of 105-115 degrees F, but I prefer to target the tighter range of 108-112 degrees F). This helps the yeast to become active and ready for baking.
    • instant dry yeast – I prefer to use instant dry yeast when making these apple cinnamon rolls, because it rises faster (and with four kids, I always seem to have next to no time). The other benefit of instant yeast is that it does not need an activation time, hence why it is called instant yeast. It can work instantly!
    • brown sugar – this recipe uses brown sugar to sweeten the dough which adds extra depth of flavor to these apple cinnamon rolls.
    • bread flour (or all-purpose) – Flour gives the apple cinnamon rolls structure when baking. I typically prefer to use bread flour when making cinnamon rolls as it helps them rise taller and results in a fluffier cinnamon roll.
    • salt – salt helps to balance the flavors of the apple cinnamon rolls.
    • cinnamon – this dough contains a hint of cinnamon which adds extra flavor to the dough.
    • eggs – eggs help give the bread structure and also act to moisten, tenderize and add richness the dough.
    • unsalted butter – butter adds richness and softness to the apple cinnamon rolls.
  • Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling:
    • unsalted butter, softened/semi-melted – the butter adds richness to the filling
    • brown sugar – I prefer to use brown sugar in the cinnamon filling for extra flavor
    • ground cinnamon – this recipe has just the right amount of cinnamon without being overpowering.
  • Apple Filling
    • apples – small, chopped apples are tossed in a butter, cinnamon sugar mixture then sprinkled over top of the brown sugar cinnamon filling. The apples get tender when baked and absorb all of the delicious flavors of the brown sugar cinnamon filling.
    • butter – the butter adds richness to the apples and helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the apples.
    • cinnamon – this adds flavor to the apple filling.
    • sugar – the hint of sugar added to the apples provides just enough sweetness to the apple filling.
  • Icing
    • powdered sugar – this provides just the right amount of sweetness for the icing on these apple cinnamon rolls
    • cream cheese, softened – cream cheese adds most of the flavor for this icing. It adds a bit of tangy flavor to the icing. Trust me, it’s good! But, if preferred, you can always sub this for butter if you don’t want cream cheese icing. If you choose not to do a cream cheese icing, I’d also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
    • unsalted butter, softened – this adds richness and creaminess to the icing.

Here’s how to make these apple cinnamon rolls

make the dough

The dough for these apple cinnamon rolls comes together easily. If you are using instant yeast, which I recommend doing (I just find it easier to use. There is no activation step), you can simply add all ingredients to the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment and mix. Knead for 5 minutes.

Now, if you choose to use active dry yeast, you will need to activate the yeast. Add the yeast, sugar and your warm milk to your mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Once combined, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture becomes frothy. This means the yeast is active and ready to be used. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine, then knead for 5 minutes.

first rise

Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, then spray the top of the dough with nonstick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 45 minutes in a warm place. A trick I always use is to turn my oven on. Once it reaches 100 degrees F, I turn the oven off, then place the covered dough in the warm oven. This allows for the dough to rise in a warm place.

The dough is the workhorse in this step, as it is doing most of the work rising. However, while the dough rises, I do like to prepare the apple filling and brown sugar cinnamon filling.

roll and shape

Once the dough is done rising, punch the dough down, then place on a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough out into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the brown sugar cinnamon filling over the dough, then sprinkle the apple filling on top. If you have trouble spreading the brown sugar cinnamon filling over the dough, place the filling in the microwave for a few seconds to almost melt the filling. It’s okay if it is partially/nearly melted. This makes it easier to spread over the soft dough.

Roll the dough up, starting at the short end, into a cylinder. Cut the dough into 9 roughly equal pieces. They don’t have to be exact. You can cut the rolls using a serrated knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss. Yes, you read that correctly! The dental floss actually cuts the rolls the best, without smashing the dough. To use the floss, simply wrap the floss around the cylinder, then pull the ends together to cut through the dough.

Place the apple cinnamon rolls in a greased 9×9 inch baking pan and cover with plastic wrap. There is no true second rise for these doughs. The dough will rest/rise while the oven preheats. The initial 45 minute rise was plenty to give these cinnamon rolls their pillowy soft texture.

bake

Once the oven comes up to temperature, bake the apple cinnamon rolls until lightly golden brown. This takes between 22-25 minutes.

cool and frost with icing

While the cinnamon rolls bake, I like to prepare the icing. That way when the rolls are done, I can spread the icing on them when they are still semi-warm. I prefer spreading the icing on them when they are still slightly warm so the icing can semi-melt into the dough. Mmm, I’m hungry just thinking about it! Now all that’s left to do is grab one and enjoy!

Storing leftovers? Here’s how.

If you think you will have leftover apple cinnamon rolls, only put icing on the rolls you plan to eat, or just ice them one at a time as you eat them. Store the leftovers, WITHOUT icing, wrapped up in plastic wrap. Essentially you want to keep the air out, because the air makes the cinnamon roll become dry.

After wrapping in plastic wrap, place the wrapped rolls in a zip-top bag or airtight container. Store icing in a separate airtight container.

when you are ready to eat one, you can thaw and reheat

Once you are ready to enjoy one, unwrap it and heat it in the oven or in the microwave. To reheat in the oven, turn oven on to 350F. Place cinnamon rolls in a baking dish. Sprinkle water over top of rolls, and place 1 tablespoon water in baking pan, OR place a small pat of butter on top of the rolls. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Frost with icing and enjoy warm!

Can I Make These Apple Cinnamon Rolls Overnight?

These Apple Cinnamon Rolls can be made overnight. For the instructions on how to do so, use the instructions in this Overnight Cinnamon Rolls recipe.

Making these apple cinnamon rolls overnight would be a great idea for if you are entertaining guests, have extra family over, or just want to cut out some of the work in the morning when you make these for your own family. There’s truly nothing that beats a cinnamon roll that is warm, fresh out of the oven.

Here are a few other cinnamon roll recipes you may enjoy

Let me know what you thought!

If you make these Apple Cinnamon Rolls, let me know what you thought in the comments and ratings below. I always appreciate your feedback and truly enjoy reading all of your comments! If you make these, make sure you snap a picture and tag me on instagram. I LOVE to see your creations!

Social

Make sure you find me on instagramyoutube, or facebook and follow along for my baking videos as well as some fun behind the scenes.

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Apple Cinnamon Rolls


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  • Author: Jolene
  • Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Pillowy, soft dough is nestled together with a generous amount of gooey brown sugar cinnamon filling and buttery cinnamon sugar apples. These apple cinnamon rolls are easy to make and taste delicious!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk (warmed to 110F)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Apple Filling

  • 2 cups peeled, chopped apples (roughly 2 medium apples
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Frosting:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add all ingredients for the dough. Knead the dough on medium speed for 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes (you can put a pan of warm water in the oven, then place the covered dough on the shelf above it. Close the oven door and allow the dough to rise.)

2. In a bowl, mix together the ingredients for the brown sugar cinnamon filling. In a separate bowl, add the apples. Drizzle butter over apples, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over apples. Toss the apples to combine.

3. Punch dough down and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread Brown Sugar Cinnamon filling over dough, then sprinkle apples evenly over top. Roll, starting at the short end into a log. Use a serrated knife to gently cut into 9 rolls.

4. Place the rolls in a greased 9×9 inch pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap while you preheat the oven.

5. Preheat the oven to 350F.

6. Once the oven is up to temperature, uncover the rolls and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown in color.

7. In a bowl, beat together the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting. Spread over the warm rolls and enjoy!

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Rise Time: 60
  • Cook Time: 22
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

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2 Comments

    1. Elise,
      Elise,
      Yes you can! Here’s what to do.
      After cutting into 9 rolls, place in a lightly greased 9×9 pan. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
      Remove rolls 1 ½ hours before baking from refrigerator. For a faster rise, you can preheat your oven to 100F, turn the oven off, then place rolls in warm oven for 30 minutes. Remove rolls from oven and preheat oven to 350F.
      Place rolls in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
      Hope you enjoy!
      -Jolene

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