If cozy comfort had a mascot, it would be these Apple Cinnamon Rolls. They’re soft, fluffy, and layered with tender caramelized apples and warm spice, then finished with a creamy vanilla glaze that melts right into the swirls. Every bite bursts with sweet-tart flavor and just the right amount of nostalgia, making them a true crowd-pleaser for crisp fall mornings or special weekend brunches. Even better: you don’t have to be a pro baker to turn out a batch worthy of your favorite bakery—just follow along and enjoy the irresistible aroma as your kitchen fills with the scent of apples and cinnamon together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Apple Cinnamon Rolls is just how approachable they are. Each ingredient plays an essential part—some add lift and fluff to the dough, others provide moisture, and the apples themselves infuse every layer with juicy sweetness and a pop of color.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the rolls, creating that pillowy base that soaks up every drop of cinnamon glaze.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the dough without overpowering the filling.
- Instant yeast: Helps the rolls rise to fluffy perfection—no need to activate separately.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens all the flavors.
- Whole milk (warmed): Adds moisture and richness to create a soft crumb.
- Water (warmed): Ensures the dough is tender and easy to work with.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Provides that signature richness and flavor to both dough and filling.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and gives it a soft, tender texture.
- Apples (peeled, cored, finely diced): Go for tart Granny Smith for extra zing, or Honeycrisp for sweeter bites and beautiful color.
- Brown sugar (packed): Brings deep molasses notes to the filling, making the rolls gooey inside.
- Ground cinnamon: The true star for warmth and spice—it’s what gives that classic cinnamon roll taste.
- Nutmeg: Just a touch lifts the apple and cinnamon flavors without overpowering.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Spread over the dough for the filling so all that cinnamon sugar sticks and melts.
- Powdered sugar: The perfect base for a silky, sweet glaze that coats every swirl.
- Milk: Helps achieve that pourable glaze consistency you want drizzled on top.
- Vanilla extract: Adds an extra layer of bakery-style flavor to the glaze.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups of flour with the granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Pour in the warmed milk, water, melted butter, and the egg. Stir everything together until just combined, then gradually add the remaining flour. You want the dough to come together and be slightly sticky but still manageable—it’s what makes your Apple Cinnamon Rolls so wonderfully soft.
Step 2: Knead and Let Rise
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until it feels smooth and bounces back when pressed. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about one hour. The dough should almost double in size and become airy and puffy, setting the stage for the most tender cinnamon rolls.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
While your dough gets some beauty rest, peel, core, and finely dice your apples. Give them a quick sauté in a skillet over medium heat—just 3 to 4 minutes is enough to soften them up. In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. The combination of juicy apples and the spiced sugar mix is what puts these Apple Cinnamon Rolls in a league of their own.
Step 4: Shape and Fill the Rolls
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down and roll it into a rectangle, about 10 by 15 inches. Spread softened butter across the surface, then scatter your cinnamon-sugar mix evenly over the dough. Top with the cooled, sautéed apples—it’s fine if it looks like a lot! Roll it up tightly (starting from the long side) and slice into 12 even pieces. Arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for 20 to 30 minutes. This second rise gives those signature fluffy layers to the Apple Cinnamon Rolls.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then slide in your rolls. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until lightly golden. The kitchen will smell like pure happiness at this point. Check them at the 22-minute mark to ensure they don’t overbake—you want them golden and irresistible, not dry.
Step 6: Glaze and Enjoy
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk to form a creamy glaze. When the Apple Cinnamon Rolls are fresh from the oven and still warm, drizzle the glaze generously over the tops. The glaze will melt into every crevice, making these rolls absolutely impossible to resist.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
For an extra finishing touch, I love to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top or add a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts for some crunch. A drizzle of caramel sauce over the glaze is never a bad idea if you’re feeling a bit extra—just watch everyone’s eyes light up as you bring the pan to the table!
Side Dishes
Apple Cinnamon Rolls make a wonderful centerpiece, but they’re even better when paired with a side of fresh fruit, a velvety yogurt parfait, or softly scrambled eggs for a heartier brunch. For true breakfast lovers, a strong cup of coffee or spiced chai is basically a must.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t just serve them right out of the pan—if you want to impress, plate each roll individually and sift a little extra powdered sugar on top. Or arrange on a tiered cake stand for a special brunch. For fall parties, you can even bake the rolls in muffin tins for cute, portable Apple Cinnamon Rolls “blossoms” that make snack time unforgettable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If by some miracle you have leftovers, let the Apple Cinnamon Rolls cool to room temperature before covering the pan tightly or transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll stay pillowy and tasty on the counter for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to four days. Just make sure the glaze has set before stacking.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, wrap them individually or as a whole (minus the glaze) and pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and glaze just before serving for a bakery-fresh treat any day you crave it.
Reheating
To reheat, just pop individual rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or warm a whole pan in a 300°F oven covered with foil for 10–15 minutes. This brings them back to that just-baked softness, and the glaze gets all gooey again—too good to skip!
FAQs
Can I use instant or active dry yeast for Apple Cinnamon Rolls?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for instant yeast for its convenience, active dry yeast works just as well. Just dissolve it in the warm milk and water for a few minutes before adding to the dough if you like, to ensure a great rise.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! After the first rise and shaping, cover the unbaked Apple Cinnamon Rolls in the pan and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes the next morning, then bake as directed. This makes for an easy, fresh-baked breakfast without the early-morning hassle.
What type Breakfast
Tart varieties like Granny Smith are classic for their contrast with the sweet filling, but sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji give a more mellow, fragrant flavor. You can even use a mix for beautiful color and balance.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Definitely! Stir in a half cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or golden raisins with the apples for a delicious crunch or chewy bite. It’s a great way to customize your Apple Cinnamon Rolls.
Is there a dairy-free option?
Yes, you can substitute your favorite plant-based milk and vegan butter in both the dough and filling. The rolls will still turn out beautifully soft and delicious—just be sure your glaze is dairy-free too!
Final Thoughts
Bringing a batch of Apple Cinnamon Rolls out of the oven feels like sharing a little joy with everyone at your table. Whether it’s for a special brunch, a holiday breakfast, or just because you crave cozy comfort, I hope this becomes a go-to recipe in your kitchen. Give them a try—your home will smell amazing, and everyone will be asking for seconds!
Print
Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (includes rising)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls. These soft, pillowy rolls are filled with a sweet apple-cinnamon filling and topped with a vanilla glaze for the perfect breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk (warmed)
- 1/4 cup water (warmed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
Filling:
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and finely diced)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, water, melted butter, and egg. Mix until combined, then gradually stir in the remaining flour until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sauté apples until softened.
- Assembly: Roll dough, spread butter, add sugar-spice mix and apples. Roll up, slice, and arrange in a baking dish. Let rise for 20–30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake rolls for 22–25 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for contrast.
- Add chopped pecans or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
