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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.
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.
I just made these for the first time today. They are easy to make and absolutely delicious! The apple and brown butter maple icing are amazing together. I usually make homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls, but I will definitely be making these again. My son loved them too. His only request is to add more apples next time. Thank you for sharing a delicious recipe.
Hi Amy,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
These rolls are the bomb! This is the first time I made rolls from scratch! I’ve always used a bread machine until now. So easy and so so good!
Hey Jessie,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am so glad it was a hit! Happy Thursday! xx
“Actually, I will have more, these are certainly delicious!”- my 6 yr old daughter. They’re a hit! Also, love the new cookbook:)
Hey Sarah,
LOL Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xx
I made these on a whim at 7:30 pm last night (weird pregnancy urges) and followed the prepare ahead instructions. I popped them in the oven this morning after a smidge more than 30 min out of the fridge and they came out perfectly and SO delicious. Bonus – they made my house smell like Christmas morning. Thanks for this yummy recipe! It’s a household favorite now!
Hey Jen,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! Have the best week!? xT
Hi I made these before and they were amazing. Thus time I prepped them to step 3 and put them in the fridge overnight to bake fresh in the morning. They didn’t rise in the oven and there was so much liquid in the baking dish from the apples I guess. Seems like they need to be baked right away. So they were a dud. 🙁
Hi Christine,
So sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed. Please let me know if I can help in any way! xTieghan
Our most favorite cinnamon roll recipe! We LOVE it so much!!! But, OMG!!! That icing!!!! There are no words!!! 😉 If I’ve got extra icing, how long is it good for if I place in fridge ???
Thanks!
Hi Ashley,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! I would say it’s good in the fridge for up to 1 week. xx
These are awesome and now my favorite cinnamon rolls! They are oh so easy to make! Thanks! (For novice bakers, do be aware that the directions are accurate- to make the dough non- sticky before rising the first time may require adding more flour.). Also, I have an electric cooktop and it took longer for the butter to brown, so pay attention to color and toasty smell!) a young friend sent me the recipe and we made them together! Very good directions for beginning bakers. Thanks!
Hi Terry,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xx
A truly amazing recipe! A made it for brunch and my family members were asking for seconds!
I definitely will make it again and I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a recipe that looks fancy, but is actually pretty easy to make!
Thank you so much!!
Hey Jolene,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xxT
A truly amazing recipe! A made it for brunch and my family members were asking for seconds!
I definitely will make it again and I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a recipe that looks fancy, but is actually pretty easy to make!
Thank you so much!!
Hey Jolene,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xxT
These were outstanding! The maple and brown butter icing pairs perfectly with the apple in the cinnamon roll!
Will ? make again! Another amazing recipe creation!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
These are the best cinnamon rolls I have ever made. Absolutely delicious! I will be making these again.
Hey Alyssa,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I’ve made these twice and they are the most delicious thing ever!!!
Hey Jessica,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
I have now made these 4 times. Once as a “test” at home (winner!), once for the swim team breakfast (demolished!), a third time with frozen raspberries inside, minus cinnamon (OMG!!!) and Last week as written for DS18 because he loves the original so much.
I bake a fair bit, but DS18 told me this is the best thing I have made in his life. The apples are so so flavorful and the rolls are so soft and sweet.
This makes a terrific base recipe if you want to try different fillings. The raspberries with lemon cream cheese glaze were spectacular too, but my son’s heart is with the Honeycrisp?
Hey Joanne,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
These cinnamon rolls were absolutely heavenly. Light and airy and full of flavor!
Hey Rose,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks bunch for giving it a go! xxTieghan
The very first time I made these they turned out perfect and were so delicious! So of course I had to make them again. Today, my dough didn’t rise after 2 hours so I tossed it and tried again, and still, it didn’t rise. I did nothing different from the very first time I made them so I am unsure of what went wrong twice today. Any tips?
Hey Trisha,
So sorry to hear this! Was your yeast fresh this time around? Could your milk have been too warm? Let me know! xTieghan