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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.
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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
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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Can I use Rapid Rise yeast?
Will that change any instructions
or flour portion?
Hey Karen,
Totally, just mix it right in with the flour and follow the recipe as written. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These rolls were outstanding!My family and friends loved them!!
Hey Dina,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out! xT🍂
These were yummy! I did have to add a lot of extra flour, and the dough was still extremely sticky and hard to turn into rolls.
Hi Ella,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Sorry to hear about the dough, what kind of yeast did you use? Let me know if I can help! xTieghan
Made this morning- great recipe, family loved them!
Hey Angela,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that your family enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! xT
These are delicious!! I made them last night and then finished them this morning. Everything was perfect and they were super easy to make. So yummy!
Hey Julie,
Awesome!! Love to hear that these were enjoyed, thanks so much for making them:) Happy Monday! xT
My sister sent me the link for this recipe “you should make”. So glad I did. A great Sunday morning treat this fall. Delicious!!!!
Hey Margaret,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xx
Wow!! These are absolutely amazing.
Hey Deb,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xx
I made them last night, let them rest in the fridge overnight and baked them this morning. OMG they’re amazing! Love the apple chunks and the maple syrup frosting is the the perfect finish! (I used mascarpone cuz that’s what I had in the house, and I’d do it again!) 😋🍎🍁
Hey Kristy,
Happy Sunday! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
I have gluten free and dairy free eaters at our gathering. Can I sub for the flour, butter and cream cheese?
Hi Beth,
So sorry, but I feel those are some crucial ingredients to not use when making this recipe. I would checkout my dairy free section, most of my recipes can easily be swapped with gluten free flour. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Instruction six needs revision. It doesn’t say what to do with the brown butter once it’s browned.
Hi Jonathan,
You are mixing it in a bowl with all of the other ingredients:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Is the frosting super cream cheese tasting? I have some non cream cheese frosting fans. Any subs you can recommend?
Hey Sharrah,
The cream cheese frosting is not super potent, if you are super worried about it, I would use another frosting recipe from my other cinnamon rolls:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/overnight-gingerbread-cinnamon-rolls/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/easy-fluffy-eggnog-cinnamon-rolls/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/brown-butter-iced-mocha-cinnamon-rolls/
I hope this helps! xx
I am so excited to make these. If I were to make a “mini” version, do you know the best way to adjust the baking time and size of the rolls?
Hey Michaela,
I think it would depend on the size, but I would keep the oven temp the same and just keep an eye on them in the oven. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you! xx
Super excited to try this recipe! If I am making these the night before, do I let the dough rise as normal for the first rise at room temp (Step 2) and then put it in the fridge after Step 4? Or should I not let the dough rise at all at room temp before sticking it in the fridge?
Hey Kate,
You will prepare them through step 4, just don’t let them rise at room temp:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Is there any way to turn this recipe into sticky buns as a variation?
Hi Amanda,
So sorry, I’ve not tested that with this recipe, but here is a sticky buns recipe you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/maple-pecan-sticky-buns/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Sooo delicious!! The frosting is incredible. I am on the east coast in a high humidity environment and had to add over a cup more flour to the dough than what was noted. It was still very sticky and soft but managed to roll it up and it baked just fine! This recipe is a keeper.
Hi Kim,
Amazing!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was tasty for you! xT
These cinnamon rolls are outstanding!!! Made them for my daughter’s sleepover and they are a hit!!!!! The taste of fall.
Hi Emily,
Happy Sunday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it:)