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Easy Fluffy Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing. Just the autumn breakfast we’re all looking for. Buttery, soft, and fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and sweet Honeycrisp apples. Each roll is frosted generously with a warming brown butter and maple icing that melts into every nook and cranny. There’s nothing not to love, every bite is melt in your mouth delicious.
Cinnamon rolls hold a special place in my kitchen, and by that, I really just mean that we love them to pieces. Growing up, my mom would occasionally buy the cinnamon rolls that come from the can around the holidays. My brothers and I LOVED them. We looked forward to these cinnamon roll breakfasts every single year.
These days we all know I choose to make my own, but still, we love a good cinnamon roll. And you know? Homemade really is best, and they’re really not that difficult to make.
These apple cinnamon rolls are no exception. Everything from the rolls to the icing is pretty close to perfect. They might take a little time to make, because of the rising. But besides that, they really are quite easy.
And the smells coming from the kitchen as they bake? Mmm, too good.
Ingredients
- Warm milk
- Active dry yeast
- Brown sugar
- Salted butter
- Large eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Kosher salt
- Apple filling
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salted butter
- Honeycrisp apples
- Brown Butter Maple Icing
- Salted butter
- Cream cheese
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Let’s jump into the details
The dough is the simplest to make. Simply mix the yeast with warm milk and a small touch of brown sugar. It’s important to let that mix sit for a few minutes to allow the yeast to “activate”.
Next, add the butter, eggs, flour, and salt. Mix until smooth and let the dough rest until doubled in size. Then it’s time to shape the rolls.
While the dough rests, mix the filling
It’s super simple. I love to use a mix of brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon for the best consistency. The brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavor. And I go heavy on the cinnamon for sweet cinnamon swirls throughout.
And of course, the apples. I like to use Honeycrisp apples, and yes, I do leave the skin on! If you prefer no skin, be sure to peel the apples first.
Assemble and bake
Spread the dough with butter, then sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar, and apples. Roll the dough up into a log, slice, and bake.
The smells coming from the oven will be perfect. Think…fall candle and Christmas morning combined.
Finally, the icing
Brown the butter and mix it with the cream cheese, maple syrup, sugar, and a touch of vanilla. The maple is key. It pairs so well with the apples and cinnamon.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, frost, serve, and enjoy every last sweet and delicious bite. They’re soft, fluffy, heavy in the cinnamon swirl, and perfectly spiced with warm autumn flavors.
And gooey, SO gooey. These rolls are beyond good. Great for all the crisp fall weekends to come!
Looking for other cinnamon recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts with Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting
Lastly, if you make these Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories Per Serving: 545 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 3 1/2 -4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Apple Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped
Brown Butter Maple Icing
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the milk, yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes, until bubbly on top. Add the butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups flour, and salt. Using the dough hook, mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough is still sticky, add the additional 1/2 cup flour, adding more as needed until the dough is smooth to touch.2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.3. Meanwhile, mix the filling. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.4. Punch the dough down and roll out onto a lightly floured surface, creating a large rectangle about 12 x 18 inches. Spread the butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle on the apples and cinnamon sugar. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log, keeping it tight as you go. When you reach the edge, pinch along the edge to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12-15 rolls. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes.5. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.6. Meanwhile, make the icing. Add the butter to a pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat. To a bowl with the cream cheese in it, whisk in the maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Spread the icing over the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
To Make Ahead: prepare the rolls through step 4. Do not let the rolls rise at room temp. Cover the rolls and place them in the fridge (up to overnight). When ready to bake, remove the rolls from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking, then bake as directed.
To Prepare and Freeze: assemble the rolls through step 4. Then cover the pan and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the rolls overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours. Once thawed, bake as directed.
To Bake and Freeze: bake the rolls as directed and let cool completely. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm, then frost before serving.
This post was originally published on September 28, 2021
I made these tonight and they were DELICIOUS!
Hey Hailey,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Do you have suggestions if we don’t have a dough hook?
Hey Uma,
Yes, just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made these today, they’re utterly beautiful!
The brown butter icing is insane, will be trying it with carrot cake next time!
Hi! Any suggestions if you don’t have a stand mixer to make the dough?
Thanks!
Hey Taylor,
Just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hey there,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Could I use apple pie filling for this recipe?
Hey Brooke,
I’ve not tried this, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
When do you add the butter, right after the eggs, when making the dough?
Hey Wendy,
The butter is added in step 1 right before the eggs. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
It’s as if you read my mind!!! Went apple picking last weekend (I’ve got 20 lbs of honeycrisp) and thought of combining apples and cinnamon rolls together. Can’t wait to try this!!
Lol perfect timing! I hope you love the recipe Adriana! xTieghan
I’m not a baker, have never made dough. With that being said, I do not own a Kitchen Aid mixer. Can the dough be mixed by hand? Will I need to knead the dough before letting it rise? And after it rises?
I made them today hand kneading it! I don’t have a kitchen aid either… they turned out GREAT!… well they are in the oven now looking prettty good!!
The whole time my shoulder was putting in work I kept saying ‘ this is how folks did it before electricity’ lol
Hey Eliana,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Hey there,
You can mix with a wooden spoon and then knead by hand before the rising. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These apple cinnamon rolls taste so good! The brown butter cream cheese icing is EVERYTHING! Only issue I had was the recipe for the dough didn’t include when to add the butter – the blog post does, but I skipped to the recipe. I added the butter after the 3 1/2 cups of flour, like I’ve done in other recipes, and then added some additional flour. The dough was a bit sticky, so I kneaded it by hand for a few minutes and it turned out fine. I had to add an additional 10 minutes to my baking time also, but that could be because I used Cortland apples which I think are a bit juicier than Honeycrisps? Anyway, the rolls taste delicious and the texture is perfect!
Hey Stephanie,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!! Sorry for any confusion, the butter is added in step 1. ? xTieghan
Hello!
So excited to try this! Can I sub the eggs for something? My kids are very allergic. Thank u!
I would try an egg replacer powder!
Hey there,
So sorry, I have not tested this recipe without the egg, I would use an egg substitute that you are familiar with and see how they turns out for you. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi just about to make these. What am I doing with the first amount of butter in the dough ingredients? When am I adding it?
Thanks
I have the same question, when does the butter go into the dough? The blog post says different than the recipe.
Hi Mindy,
The butter is added in step 1 with the eggs. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hey Tammy,
So sorry for any confusion, you are going to add the 4 tablespoons of butter for the dough into step 1. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
If we are freezing them for later, do we let them rise?
Hey Annette,
Yes, you are going to follow the instructions through step 4 and then freeze:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Looking forward to trying this recipe! Have you made this with the GF 1 to 1 flour?Just curious if it will work well without traditional AP flour. Thanks!
Hey Jennifer,
Using an equal amount of GF flour will work well for you here. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Oh these look and sound SO delicious! Do you have a recommendation for an egg substitute with this? My toddler is allergic so we try our best to keep eggs out of the house!
Hey Jenni,
So sorry, I have not tested this recipe without the egg, you could certainly use your favorite egg substitute and see how that works. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
YUM! I’m so so pumped to try!
I hope you love the recipe Steph!
Oh my!!! These look delicious. Honeycrisp apples are my favorite.
Thanks so much Charlotte!