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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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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!

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other cinnamon recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Cinnamon Apple Puffed Pancake

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

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
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

Apple Filling

Brown Butter Maple Icing

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. 
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Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made these ahead and baked them the next morning. I topped with extra crumbled cinnamon swirl sugar leftover from the frosted snickerdoodle swirl cookies I made a few days ago, and yummmmmm! They caramelized on top and the icing over it all was fantastic! I even messed up the dough (couldn’t quite get it to not be sticky) and they STILL turned out great!

    1. Hey Shannon,
      I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄

    1. Hi Emily,
      You are adding the browned butter to a bowl with all of the other ingredients:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

  2. 5 stars
    These turned out amazing the first time I made them! I want to have them on Christmas morning, but I plan to make them on the 23rd. Will they be ok to sit in the fridge for two nights?

    1. Hey Jess,
      Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! Yes, they will be just fine!🎄❄️

  3. To prepare the night before, what do you mean don’t allow to rise at room temp… roll it out and everything when it’s a small ball (not doubled)?
    Is it possible to make just the dough the night before, but assemble and bake the next morning?

    1. Hey Jenny,
      You are going to complete through step 4, so let the dough rise in step 2 but skip the rise at the end of step 4. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

      1. When preparing the night before and ready to bake the next day. When you take them out of the fridge and let them sit 30 minutes, do you need to make sure they rise in that 30 minutes?

  4. 5 stars
    This will be my second time making these because I loved them so much! I made them for just my husband and I a few months ago (could not eat them all, but got close, haha), and now making another batch to take to his parents’ house to bake on Christmas morning. The brown butter maple maple icing is a game changer! Thank you for the recipe!

    1. Hey Jami,
      Amazing!! So glad you have been enjoying this recipe and truly appreciate you making it! Happy Holidays! xT

  5. 5 stars
    These are the best. Straight forward, big flavor, fluffy goodness. Make these every year for my family’s Christmas party. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Hey Natalie,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend!🎄⛄️

  6. Hi! Is there a way to mix the dough without a stand mixer? Trying to make these for the holidays while visiting family in another state (they don’t have one like I do). Any suggestions? Thanks!

    1. Hey Katie,
      Totally, just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand until your dough is a smooth ball. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

    1. Hey there,
      So sorry, you are definitely going to want to use the yeast here for best results. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx

    1. Hey Ann,
      Happy Monday!!☃️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was enjoyed! xT

  7. 5 stars
    I suck at baking and my fiancé and I made these for fun one morning. I didn’t expect much (because of my abilities) but WOW these turned out amazing and to this day the best thing I have ever baked. Go make these!

    1. Hey Emily,
      Happy Sunday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT

    1. Hey Raquel,
      Happy Sunday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT

  8. 5 stars
    The dough was really sticky for me, and I found myself adding more flour – but wow did these turn out great. There is a lot of icing, so plenty to melt into the rolls. We only put apples in half and they were all delicious! Definitely one to make again – they melt in your mouth when they’re warm.

    1. Hey JJ,
      Happy Sunday!!⛄️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xxT

    1. Hi there,
      Yes, that is correct:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

  9. Hello,
    I let rolls sit in fridge overnight but was surprised to see so much liquid in bottom of pan this morning (from apples). Should I drain this before baking? Hoping they don’t turn out soggy.

    1. Hi Monica,
      I would go ahead and bake them, they should be just fine! I hope this recipe turned out well for you! xx