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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
Do you think the recipe would work with gluten free flour?
Yes, definitely! xTieghan
Hi! I plan on making these this weekend. If I let the dough rise for more than an hour (to leave the house and do some things) is that okay? Or should it not wait much longer?
These are DELICIOUS! I love the Apple chunks when biting through the cinnamon roll and the maple icing is the cherry on the top!?
Thank you so much! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed! xTieghan
I am a cinnamon roll snob. These rolls had me at the first bite. The roll itself is not too sweet. Texture is soft and still holds together. The fall apple/maple flavors send this over the top. My family is always skeptical when I don’ t make classic cinnamon rolls. This one made the cut for sure!
Hi there! So happy to hear these rolls were yummy! Thanks for trying out this recipe. xTieghan
I made these and they are AMAZING!!! Thank you ?
These were a hit in our house!
Hi there,
I’d love to make these for a brunch that I’m attending at a friend’s house (which is a nearly a two hour drive). How do you suggest I make them so they are as fresh as possible? I’m sure I can use her oven too.
Thank you!
An amazing, easy to follow recipe that went down a treat. ??
Hi! So happy to hear this recipe was enjoyed. Have a lovely day! xTieghan
Best ever cinnamon rolls. Made them for guys doing construction on new grandbaby’s room. They we licking the plates. The dough is great to work with, even used it to make my ice cream caramel rolls.
Love your cookbooks!
These cinnamon rolls are life changing! The brown butter maple frosting takes them to another level!
Made these in honor of our community’s Apple Fest with local Cortland apples. SO GOOD! And really quite simple. That icing is amazing! Tastes like liquid toffee with the brown butter!!
Hi there! Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the recipe. xTieghan
These are literally perfect. So fluffy and delicious. Wouldn’t change a thing about them. They’re a cross between a cinnamon bun and apple pie. Everyone absolutely loved them! Thank you! They go especially great with a cup of coffee for breakfast 😉
Hi Luc! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, they sure are a fun fall treat! xTieghan
Absolutely AMAZING! I’ve never made scratch cinnamon rolls and these were SCRUMPCIOUS! I’m now excited to make the eggnog cinnamon rolls! EEKK! 🙂 A must make!
Hi Jenna! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you loved it! Have a great day xTieghan
These are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lauren! Thanks so much, so glad to hear the recipe was enjoyed 🙂 xTieghan
These are SO GOOD. It was my first time baking cinnamon rolls, it couldn’t have been easier and they turned out super fluffy. Nevertheless, I suggest adding more apple (I could’ve done with about twice as much) and I found especially the icing to be incredibly sweet. So if you don’t like them sickly sweet, I’d put about half as much sugar in the dough and icing and I’m sure they’d still be sweet enough!
These are delicious! The icing is amazing. I will definitely make them again.
Hi Moni! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe! And thank you for the feedback as well, I’ll have to try that out next time I make them. Have a lovely day! xTieghan
WOW!! These were divine. Everyone absolutely loved the cinnamon rolls. The dough was perfect, the filling was well calculated and the icing tied it all together. LOVE IT!