Apple Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect cozy breakfast when you want something warm, sweet and comforting during the cool Fall season.
Our Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a kid-friendly treat that everyone will love! Soft, fluffy buns are filled with sweet cinnamon sugar and little bits of apple that taste like a warm apple pie. They're fun for kids to help make, from rolling out the dough to stuffing with the filling and spreading on the warm icing. They're even more fun to eat! We love these as much as our on-the-go apple hand pies during apple season.
This apple and cinnamon buns recipe makes a great breakfast, weekend treat or snack. They are a tasty way to enjoy those in-season apples, just like our apple muffins, apple pie pancakes and apple raisin bread.
Why You'll Love Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- You can make the apple filling in your slow cooker ahead of time, to save cooking time.
- They can be frozen for a quick breakfast or treat throughout the fall season.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 ¼ oz instant yeast
- 1 cup warm whole milk
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
Apple Filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 cups diced apples
Icing
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- ¼ cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Tips from the Chef
If the bottom of the baking dish fills with liquid while the buns are rising, this is fine. When you bake them the liquid will soak into the rolls, making them extra soft and delicious.
Instructions
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, stir together the yeast, warm milk, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes to foam.
- Add the brown sugar, salt, melted butter, and mix on medium speed using the dough hook. Slowly add in the flour ½ cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 10 minutes using your dough hook. Remove the dough to a large floured bowl, cover with a heavy towel and place in a warm spot to rest for 1 hour.
- While the dough is rising, make the apple filling. In a large pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low-medium heat. Add the diced apples and cook for 7-10 minutes, until softened. Toss with ½ cup of the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook for 1-2 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the remaining cup of brown sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix well.
- Roll the risen dough out to a rectangle about 9 inches by 12 inches. Spread the brown sugar butter filling over the dough, leaving about a ½ inch edge on all sides. Spread the apple filling on top, again leaving a ½ inch edge.
- Cut the dough into 12 equal strips. Roll and place in a well greased baking dish. Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Bake at 350℉ for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before icing.
- While baking, make the icing by beating together the icing ingredients over low speed in a large mixing bowl. Spoon icing over the slightly cooled rolls and serve warm.
How To Store
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days for optimal quality. They can be frozen for up to 6 months. Microwave for about 30 seconds before serving leftovers.
Recipe FAQs
Fuji, gala, honey crisp, and cosmic crisp taste the best in this recipe.
Flour the inside of the mixing stand bowl to prevent the dough from sticking to it. When kneading with your hands, coat the counter and your hands in a little flour so the dough doesn't stick too much.
Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, divided
- 4 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
- 3 cups apples, diced
Icing
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, stir together the yeast, warm milk, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes to foam.
- Add the brown sugar, salt, melted butter, and mix on medium speed using the dough hook. Slowly add in the flour ½ cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 10 minutes using your dough hook. Remove the dough to a large floured bowl, cover with a heavy towel and place in a warm spot to rest for 1 hour.
- While the dough is rising, make the apple filling. In a large pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low-medium heat. Add the diced apples and cook for 7-10 minutes, until softened. Toss with ½ cup of the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook for 1-2 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
- In a separate bowl, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the remaining cup of brown sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix well.
- Roll the risen dough out to a rectangle about 9 inches by 12 inches. Spread the brown sugar butter filling over the dough, leaving about a ½ inch edge on all sides. Spread the apple filling on top, again leaving a ½ inch edge.
- Cut the dough into 12 equal strips. Roll and place in a well greased baking dish. Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Bake at 350℉ for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before icing.
- While baking, make the icing by beating together the icing ingredients over low speed in a large mixing bowl. Spoon icing over the slightly cooled rolls and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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