If you're craving a cozy, delicious treat perfect for fall, these Apple Cinnamon Rolls are exactly what you need! Soft, fluffy dough rolled with sweet cinnamon and filled with juicy apples—each bite is pure comfort. They’re simple to make and will fill your kitchen with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and apples.
Why You'll Love This Brilliant Bite
- Delicious Fall Flavors. Apple and cinnamon are a match made in heaven, especially when paired in a tender, homemade roll.
- Perfect for Any Occasion. These rolls are a great way to celebrate fall, but they’re also a delicious treat for breakfast, dessert, or a weekend brunch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly. You can prep these cinnamon rolls in advance and bake them fresh when ready.
With their warm flavors and gooey cinnamon apple filling, these Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
What Do Apple Cinnamon Rolls Taste Like?
These apple cinnamon rolls have the perfect balance of flavors. The sweet apples add a burst of fruity freshness, while the cinnamon provides warmth and spice.
The soft, buttery dough creates the ideal base, making each bite melt in your mouth. The added drizzle of a creamy icing takes these rolls to the next level of indulgence!
Are Apple Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast Or Dessert?
Apple cinnamon rolls can be enjoyed as both breakfast and dessert!
- For Breakfast: They’re perfect for a sweet morning treat, especially when paired with a cup of coffee or tea. The soft, doughy texture and the warmth of the apples and cinnamon make them an indulgent start to the day.
- For Dessert: Apple cinnamon rolls can easily be transformed into a decadent dessert by serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
The beauty of these rolls is their versatility—they’re delicious no matter the time of day!
Ingredients You'll Need
- All-Purpose Flour- The foundation for a light and fluffy dough.
- Milk- Warm milk helps activate the yeast and adds richness to the dough.
- Active Dry Yeast- This helps the dough rise, making your rolls soft and pillowy.
- Sugar- Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast.
- Butter- Unsalted butter adds richness to both the dough and the filling.
- Egg- Adds structure and richness to the dough.
- Cinnamon- The star spice of these rolls, providing that warm and cozy flavor.
- Apples- Peeled and diced for a juicy, fruity filling. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best for their tartness.
- Brown Sugar- Adds sweetness to the cinnamon filling and caramelizes with the apples.
- Caramel Sauce- To drizzle over the cooked cinnamon rolls.
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Prepare the Dough. In a small bowl, warm the milk to about 110°F and sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and egg. Gradually add the milk-yeast mixture and melted butter, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and Rise. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Apple Filling. While the dough is rising, peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces. In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Roll and Fill the Dough. Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture across the surface. Add the cooled apple filling.
- Roll and Cut. Carefully roll the dough from one long edge to the other, creating a log. Slice the log into 9 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Second Rise. Place the rolls into a greased baking dish, cover with a towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake to Perfection. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
- Top With Caramel. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the warm apple cinnamon rolls once they’re out of the oven.
Tips And Tricks
- Make sure your yeast is fresh. If your yeast doesn't foam when combined with warm milk, it may be expired. Start with fresh yeast to ensure a good rise.
- Don't overstuff the rolls. Too much filling can make the rolls difficult to roll and may cause the dough to tear. Use just enough apples and cinnamon sugar for a balanced flavor.
- Room temperature butter. Make sure your butter is soft and spreadable for easy spreading on the dough. Cold butter can tear the dough.
- Fluffy dough tip. Knead the dough well to develop the gluten, which will make the rolls soft and chewy.
Variations
- Caramel Apple- Add a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce over the rolls for an extra decadent treat.
- Pecan- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the cinnamon sugar before rolling for a crunchy addition.
- Maple Icing- Swap out the vanilla extract for maple syrup in the icing for a fall-inspired twist.
- Raisin- Mix in a handful of raisins with the apple filling for extra sweetness.
What To Enjoy With Cinnamon Rolls
These sweet and fluffy rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Coffee or Tea- The warm spices of the cinnamon pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
- Vanilla Ice Cream- Serve these rolls warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Fresh Fruit Salad- A light, refreshing fruit salad will balance the richness of the rolls for a perfect brunch combination.
Can You Make Them Ahead Of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the rolls through the second rise and store them covered in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed.
How Long Do They Last?
Keep the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds for a warm, fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Can You Freeze Them?
These rolls freeze well! Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer bag. They will last up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating
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Ingredients
For The Dough
- 2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Milk, warm
- 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
For The Filling
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Apples, diced
The Topping
- 1/2 cup Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough. In a small bowl, warm the milk to about 110°F and sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and egg. Gradually add the milk-yeast mixture and melted butter, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and Rise. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Apple Filling. While the dough is rising, peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces. In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Roll and Fill the Dough. Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture across the surface. Add the cooled apple filling.
- Roll and Cut. Carefully roll the dough from one long edge to the other, creating a log. Slice the log into 9 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Second Rise. Place the rolls into a greased baking dish, cover with a towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake to Perfection. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
- Top With Caramel. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the warm apple cinnamon rolls once they’re out of the oven.
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