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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.
Will these work with GF flour?
Hey Hannah,
Yes, you should be able to use an equal amount of gluten free flour. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Are the apples to be peeled or no?
Thanks,
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
I do not peel my muffins but you totally can if you like to:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
I wish there was a way to give these 10 stars. Literally so good. I’ve made 5 of your recipes in 2 days and now I need to go and run 5 miles because I can’t stop eating 😳. But, seriously a winner!! My husband will be taking them on a hunting trip this weekend. Can’t wait to hear their comments. Your recipes are making me a very popular mom, friend and wife 😉.
Hey Rhonda,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes! I love to hear that this one was a winner:) xTieghan
Any recommendations for preparing with a mixer?
Hey Becca,
I am assuming you mean without a mixer? But you can just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Hi! How long can these be in the refrigerator without baking them? Would they last 4 days or should I freeze them?
Hey Becca,
I would freeze them if you are going to let them sit more than 2 days. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hi!
I want to make these for my daughters 14th birthday breakfast. We are in Denver… does elevation matter with this recipe?
Thanks
Hey Traci,
You can follow this recipe as written without any adjustments:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I’ve been DYING to make this recipe! Our kitchen has been under renovation and the other night, my husband finally got our double oven put in! I told him that I was going to be baking away this weekend, starting with this recipe! (I am 7 months pregnant and have been craving these cinnamon rolls since I first saw your reel on Instagram). I must say, the instructions were easy to follow and it’s a simple recipe overall for a first time baker! I enjoyed the honey crisp apple cinnamon rolls so much! Definitely a recipe I cannot wait to make again and share with my family and friends!
Hey Ashley,
Happy Sunday!! I truly appreciate you giving this a try and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx
These are amazing! I love to bake, but have always been a bit afraid of tackling recipes with yeast for fear of it not turning out. I have been wanting to branch out and bake breads and rolls and these were my first efforts. The recipe was easy to follow and they turned out beautifully. Another winner from Tieghan!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! I truly appreciate you giving this a try and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx
These were absolutely delicious! Everyone in the family loved them! I didn’t have any maple syrup on hand so I used honey instead. They came out amazing with the honey!
Hey Katie,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)
I’m so excited to make these this weekend! I can’t wait to try them.
I never have great luck using yeast. Any tips/tricks for that? Probably sounds like a silly question, but I can never get it just right!
Hey Ariana,
If you follow the recipe as written you should be good:) Just be sure your liquids are too hot as that will kill the yeast. I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes:) xx
Hi Tieghan! I am obsessed with these- and most your recipes haha.
I am out of fresh apples now- Wondering if you thought that I could substitute the apple filling with a thin layer of apple butter?
Thanks!
Hey Cheryl,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes:) Sure, I bet the apple butter would be delicious! Please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Hi Cheryl,
I was thinking about using the apple butter as well. Did you try the recipe with this? How did it come out?
I did try it and it was so delicious!!! I went with a quite thin layer and it worked well. Amazing recipe
Hey Cheryl,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
Hi! Was just wondering if I could omit the apples and leave recipe as-is for a simple cinnamon roll, or do you have a different cinnamon roll recipe for that? Thanks!
Hey Amy,
Sure, you could totally skip the apples! Here are some other cinnamon roll recipes you might like:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/brown-butter-iced-mocha-cinnamon-rolls/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/easy-fluffy-eggnog-cinnamon-rolls/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/overnight-gingerbread-cinnamon-rolls/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
If I make these with dairy free alternatives (almond milk, vegan cream cheese, etc.) do you think it will still turn out ok? Thanks!
Hey Jessica,
Yes, you shouldn’t have any issues! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Can’t wait to make this! If I’m freezing without baking, should I let the rolls rise first before placing in freezer, or place directly in freezer?
Hi Brooke,
You are not going to let the rolls rise first:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Hi! I wanted to know if I can sub buttermilk for the regular milk in this recipe. Also would I be able to mix by band because I don’t own a stand mixer?
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, the buttermilk should be just fine for you to use! Mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand until you have a smooth dough ball. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT