Next Post
Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
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
Do yourself a favor and make these! Sooooo good.
Hey Luda,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
There is butter in dough ingredients but not mentioned in directions. I did add the butter to dough- just an FYI
thanks for mentioning that, i thought i was going crazy 🙂
Hey Molly,
Sorry for any confusion, the butter has been added to step 1. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I inquired below about making this in my bread machine. Well I did it and it was wonderful. Just change up the order of the ingredients. Put milk, eggs, & butter in first. Then flour, salt, & brown sugar. Make a small well in the top of the flour and add the yeast. Program the machine for the dough cycle. When it’s complete, finish the recipe according to the recipe. Mine took 25 min to bake. Wonderful recipe.
These were super fun and exciting to make. I had my own battles In the kitchen but we made them! Also forgot to let them rise before baking, so they’re just thinner which is ok!
Hey Chelsea,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Thanks so much for sharing Bev!
Everything I cook or bake from your recipes are hands down delicious ??
Hey Magnolia,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Just made these. 10/10!!! This will be a recipe I make again and again. Tips: don’t over brown your butter…I had to remake my frosting. Also mine took 50 min to bake…I know everyone’s ovens are different but if yours isn’t done in 30 min don’t be alarmed.
Hey Katie,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Soft, fluffy and so delicious! I will be making these again!
Hi Elena,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Making these now! So excited! 2 things… In the instructions (step 1) you left out add butter, but mentioned it in the article so all good. Also, one question – why are we using salted butter and also adding 1/2tsp of salt. I am just curious. Thank you so much!!!
Hi Heather,
The butter has been added to step 1 of the instructions and I always use salted butter as I find it adds more flavor. I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Have you ever tried making this dough in a Bread Machine? I just bought a new Zojirushi machine and would like to use it.
I make other sweet toll recipes in my machine, and would like to try this.
Hey Bev,
So sorry, I would not recommend making this dough in a bread machine, I would just follow the recipe as is:) Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
How would you go about making this without a stand mixer?
Hi Shauna,
You can 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
Thank you!
My daughter has celiac. Do you have tips on the amount of flour? Keep it the same or less? Thank you!
Making these now! So excited! 2 things… In the instructions (step 1) you left out add butter, but mentioned it in the article so all good. Also, one question – why are we using salted butter and also adding 1/2tsp of salt. I am just curious. Thank you so much!!!
Hey Heather,
Sorry for any confusion, the butter has been added to step 1 in the instructions. I always use salted butter, I find it adds much more flavor. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Audrey,
I would use an equal amount of GF flour. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Just getting ready to make and I noticed that in your video you add the 4 tbsp. butter to the dough but in the actual written recipe instructions, it doesn’t say when to add it. I am planning on making it later today, but sure it will be devine! Just thought you might want to add that.
She has a video on instagram. She added the butter with the flour and eggs before mixing the dough.
Just an update, made these and they were fabulous.. What a special fall treat! I have been making cinnamon rolls for over 40 years and they are good a holiday treat, but these are so great! The icing is to die for.. don’t skip this!
Hey Gail,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Hi Gail,
So sorry for any confusion, the butter has been added to the dough:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Wondering about 2-3 cups of powdered sugar for the icing ? Do we just go by taste for that? Thanks
I think for thickness..
Hey Anne,
You will start with 2 cups, if your icing is too thin then slowly add more powdered sugar until you reach the consistency of your liking. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try these tomorrow! For the icing – do you pour the browned butter over seperately, or do you add it to the cream cheese etc mixture and incorporate? Sorry if that’s a stupid question, I’m a newbie xx
Mix the brown butter with the cream cheese etc.
Thanks so much ??
Hey Mara,
You are going to mix the browned butter with the cream cheese mixture. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I don’t have a dough hook can I use a regular mixer?
Hi Amy,
I would 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