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
You have another apple cinnamon roll that you cook the apples before using them. How do you decide if you are going to cook them or not when you create a recipe? I am going to try these but thinking about adding coffee granules into the icing. Thoughts on that idea? I loved that icing in you cider donuts.
Hi Cari,
It really just depends on the recipe, the cooking method that I am using, as well as the ingredients. Sure, coffee would be a nice touch to the icing. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made these this morning and they are amazing!! The whole family loved them!
Hey Caitlin,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for making it! xTieghan
You had a video up on making these cinnamon rolls. I can’t seem to find it anymore. Did you take it down or am
I just not looking in the right place?
What if I use unsalted butter instead? Do you recommended increasing the added salt?
Hi Michelle,
I would add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Please let me know if you have any other questions:) xTieghan
If you don’t have a stand mixer with dough hook, is there another method to make the dough?
Hey Mary,
You can 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
Hey Lisa,
So sorry, the video was located on IG, I did not save the video. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
A must make! They are to die for!!!!!
Hey Anne,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for making it! xTieghan
These look delicious. One question about step 6 in the icing -when and where do we add the brown butter? To the bowl with the cream cheese probably, but just checking!
Hi Amy,
Yes, you are going to mix the brown butter with the remaining ingredients in step 6. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I gave this recipe 5 stars because they are amazing, however the recipe is written incorrectly. The addition of butter is not listed in the instructions, I would wait to mix the filling because if you do it when you are waiting for the dough to rise it gets liquified and makes it horrible to roll out and cut!
Hey Barb,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!! I added the butter to step 1. ? xTieghan
these look so fun! I’m thinking about making them to take on vacation in a couple of weeks– do you think it would work to make them ahead of time, freeze, and then pack them in a freezer bag or cold cooler to travel and then make them the morning after we get there (or do you think that would thaw them out too much)? thanks!
Hey Lauren,
I would go ahead and follow the freezing instructions listed in the recipe notes:) This will work well for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Anxious to try!
I hope you love the recipe Barbara!
These are the best cinnamon rolls that I’ve ever baked. My family loved them!
Hey Claudia,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
I made these and they were phenomenal!! Any suggestions on how to store after baking them? Thank you in advance!
Hey Brigette,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!! I store on the counter in an airtight container.? xTieghan
Well, another omission. The instructions for the dough do not include the butter! (Seems like a proof reader could be helpful, eh?)
Hey Anne,
So sorry for any confusion, the butter has been added to step 1. We actually do have a proof reader, but we are only human so mistakes do happen:) I sure hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
What do I do with the melted butter? There are no instructions beyond removing the browned butter from the heat.
Hey Anne,
You are mixing that with the remaining ingredients in step 6. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I was having not the best day today and decided to ditch work early and go home to make these. Best. Decision. Ever. These were AMAZING. I’ve never made cinnamon rolls from scratch but they turned out so perfectly! It was like an apple pie and cinnamon roll all in one. Definitely going to make this again!
Hey Ariel,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Guys… these are absolutely insane. I didn’t do the apple filling and went the traditional route with the same recipe and completely blown away. Will make these until the day I die.
If you don’t have cream cheese, use the following;
2 cups icing sugar
4 tbsp milk
2 tbsp browned butter
1 tbsp vanilla
Hey there,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
These look AMAZING!! Could you make them up until after you slice the rolls and then let them rise overnight in the fridge or would that ruin them?
Hey Stephanie,
You bet, I have the make ahead instructions in the notes:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan