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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
The recipe doesn’t say when to incorporate the butter into the dough.
Hi there! The butter is incorporated into the dough in step one: “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.” Hope this helps! xTieghan
I did the same thing!!!
So good, Tieghan! ALL of your food is so amazing 🙂
My edges were too crispy though, I think my apples created some liquid which made the butter filling drip to the bottom. Still so good though!
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying about this recipe, I’m sorry about the crispy edges! xTieghan
When do you incorporate the butter in the frosting?
Best Cinnamon Roll I have ever eaten in my life!
I was nervous to try and make cinnamon rolls for the first time, but I watched your Instagram story and it make it so easy. These were the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever had! They were so light and fluffy, and the icing went together so well with the cinnamon sugar and apples. Absolutely delicious! My husband said this is officially his favorite dessert. These cinnamon rolls are perfect for the fall and winter. Can’t wait to make them again. Thanks so much Tieghan 🙂
Hi there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! ?
Absolutely delicious!!!
Hi there! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for taking the time to make it! 🙂 xTieghan
Just finished making them. They taste amazing! How would you store the leftovers? In the fridge?
Hi there!Yes, I would store in the fridge 🙂 xTieghan
Hi! I’d love to make these to take camping this weekend. Do you suggest baking, refrigerating and then reheating, would probably be 3 days?
i there! I would suggest refrigerating and then taking out when youre ready to bake! 🙂 xTieghan
I would eat a paper bag with this brown butter icing on it! Must brown the butter, gives so much depth to the flavor. Overall this was so easy to make, didn’t have any issues. Will be remaking this for sure, 10/10.
Haha I am so glad to hear that! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe 🙂 xTieghan
They have just come out of the oven and smell delicious. Do I pour the butter directly over the buns or mix it in with the icing? The icing seems runny enough without it but I know I need the butter somewhere!
Hi there! You can pour it right over while they’re warm! xTieghan
In your commentary in the post you say to add it to the cream cheese along with the maple syrup, etc. which is it?
Hi there! Yes, the cream cheese gets added in to make the icing 🙂 xTieghan
Do you think these would survive a good soak in heavy cream before baking? I just love an extra gooey center.
I’m sure they would be just fine! 🙂 xTieghan
Does the brown butter go in with the cream cheese and sugar or do you mean pour the brown butter on and then ice? Thanks!
Hey!
Thinking of making these but I’d like to make them smaller! What adjustments should I make to the recipe?
Thank you!
Hi there! For small rolls, roll the dough into two separate rolls and cut them into smaller pieces 🙂 Hope this helps! xTieghan
So easy to make and tastes like warm apple pie with breading instead of pie crust. So sweet, but not overwhelming. The icing is money and the combination of the maple syrup and apples is just perfect. I even had the 2 year old’s help make it and we had a blast! (Finger holes, flour everywhere and licking everything…you can’t mess this up) lol.
Thanks so much for trying out this recipe! So glad to hear you loved it. xTieghan
Could you tell me how to make these without a stand mixer?
I am visiting my son and would like to make them but I’ll need to mix by hand.
I used a hand mixer. And when it got too tough to use the mixer, I mixed it the rest of the way with my hands.
Hi Kim! I would mix the dough by hand with a wooden spoon until everything is combined and forms a nice dough. I would even knead it for a few minutes to give it the effect of the dough hook on the stand mixer. Then follow the rest of steps like normal! Hope this helps. xTieghan
Amazing. Simply delicious. Fun to make and enjoyable to eat. The maple in the icing is the special touch.
I made these this weekend and they are awesome! Thank you for also including how to freeze them or prepare them overnight- I definitely appreciated it since I made them the night before I baked them.
Hi Bethany! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for trying it out. XTieghan