Forget those pre-made tubes—this apple filled cinnamon rolls recipe is where the real magic happens.
Made with a homemade yeast dough, fresh diced fruit and a delicious filling, these are soft, fluffy rolls everyone will love.
Check out all the other Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipes ideas for even more delicious recipes.
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These cinnamon rolls are extra special because they're filled with sweet and tart apples! The soft dough is wrapped around a delicious mix of apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
And don't forget the sweet glaze on top! It's the perfect finishing touch. Whether you're sharing with friends or enjoying a cozy treat at home, these are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Looking for more Cinnamon Roll Recipes? Try my these Homemade Overnight Cinnamon Rolls, and even my Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Quick Tips
- Baking Instructions
- Brown Butter Maple Icing
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Delicious Flavor: Sweet apples and warm cinnamon are a favorite flavor combination
Easy to Customize and make your own: Add nuts, caramel, or raisins to the filling for variety.
Beautiful: These rolls look as good as they taste, making them ideal for entertaining.
Homemade Recipe: Unlike my Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls with Apples these are made with a homemade dough and fresh apples. They taste like you bought them in a bakery!
Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
Check out my Deliciously Simple Cinnamon Roll Digital Cookbook for even more easy cinnamon roll recipes.
Whether it's for a holiday, weekend family brunch or a quick school morning breakfast, your family will love these easy-to-make recipes!
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
DOWAN Casserole Dish, 9x13 Ceramic Baking Dish, Large Lasagna Pan Deep for Oven, 4.2 Quarts Baking Pan with Handles, Oven Safe and Durable Bakeware for Lasagna, Home Decor, Wedding Gift, White
COOK WITH COLOR Nesting Plastic Mixing Bowl Set with Pour Spouts and Handles, Speckled White, 4 PieceCeramic Sugar and Creamer Set, Milk Carton Shaped White Cream Jug and Sugar Bowl with lid
Recipe Ingredients
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice to the apple filling for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before rolling up the rolls.
- Use a homemade cream cheese frosting!
- Instead of apples, try strawberries or blueberries!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the milk, butter, and water to a small saucepan and heat on low until the butter is melted. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Step 3: Add the warm milk mixture, vanilla, and eggs to the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 5: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Step 6: Place the ball of dough in a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it's doubled in size.
Step 7: Once the dough has doubled, punch the dough down.
Step 8: Roll the dough into a rectangle that's about 12x16 inches on a lightly floured surface.
Step 9: Brush the butter over the dough, leaving a small border on the edges.
Step 10: Sprinkle the diced apples evenly over the buttered dough.
Step 11: Combine the brown and granulated sugars with the cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Step 12: Begin rolling into a tight log on the long side closest to you.
Quick Tips
- To help you cut the log into portions that are roughly the same size, cut the log in half, then cut each half into thirds, then cut each of those in half again to make 12 even rolls.
- You can also use a ruler to help you evenly proportion out the rolls.
Step 13: Cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
Step 14: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish with space in between each. Cover and allow to rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Baking Instructions
Step 15: Bake the cinnamon rolls in an oven preheated to 350°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Brown Butter Maple Icing
Step 16: Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
Step 17: Cook for about 5 minutes until the butter browns.
Step 18: Sift the powdered sugar into the mixer bowl then add the melted butter.
Step 19: Beat for about 3 minutes until creamy then add the maple syrup.
Step 20: Beat until the maple syrup is well combined.
Step 21: Once everything is well incorporated, briefly beat on high speed.
Step 22: Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
To freeze unbaked cinnamon rolls, place them on a tray to flash freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. For baked rolls, cool completely, wrap tightly, and store in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To proof cinnamon rolls overnight, prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate overnight. The cold temperature slows the rising process, allowing the dough to proof gradually. In the morning, let the rolls come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking as directed.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Once the cinnamon rolls have completely cooled, add to a freezer zip top bag or an airtight container to freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw and Reheat: Allow the rolls to come to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to regain their softness.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling. Or you might like this recipe for Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls.
📖 Recipe Card
Apple Filled Cinnamon Rolls
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- 2 apples, diced
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¾ cup maple syrup
Method
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk, butter, and water over low heat until the butter has melted. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add the warm milk mixture, vanilla extract, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle of about 12x16 inches.
- Spread the softened butter over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle on the apples and cinnamon sugar. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal-sized rolls. Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each.
- Cover the baking dish with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the rolls for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Melt the butter in a small or medium saucepan and cook for around 5 minutes or until the butter brown. Set aside.
- Sift powdered sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat in heavy cream and melted butter for about 3 minutes until creamy.
- Beat in the maple syrup until well combined. When all of the ingredients are incorporated, briefly beat over high speed.
- Drizzle glaze over warm rolls, serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Notes
- Ensure the dough is smooth and elastic after kneading for light and fluffy cinnamon rolls.
- Allow the dough to double in size during the first rise for optimal texture and flavor.
- Roll the dough into a tight log to create well-defined layers in the cinnamon rolls.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or more maple syrup for a thinner consistency.
JEB says
I would love to try this recipe without the maple syrup in the icing. Do you recommend regular icing or cream cheese icing for these particular rolls?
Lois says
You could leave the maple syrup out of the icing if you prefer or you could try my Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting recipe: https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/easy-homemade-cream-cheese-frosting/