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This post is all about Apple Cinnamon Rolls.
If fall had a flavor it would be a swirl of apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and buttery dough baked until golden and drizzled with creamy glaze.
That’s exactly what you get with this irresistible Apple Cinnamon Roll recipe; everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls but upgraded with soft caramelized apples that taste like warm apple pie filling.
Whether you’re deep into Fall Baking, stocking up on your favorite seasonal Apple Recipes or browsing for Fall Baking Recipes on Pinterest to kick off cozy season, these rolls bring the warmest comfort to your kitchen. They’re fluffy, gooey, perfectly spiced and guaranteed to make your house smell like a bakery any time of year.
This recipe is friendly, easy and written so anyone even beginners or those searching for a Recette Patisserie Facile can follow along without stress.
If you’re a lover of Cinnamon Recipes, brunch treats, soft pastries or Food Cakes with a homemade touch get ready.
These gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls might just become your new signature Recette Dessert for chilly mornings, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Rolls
✔ Soft, fluffy dough
Made with simple ingredients, the dough bakes into tender rolls that stay soft for days.
✔ Warm, cozy apple filling
Loaded with apples cooked in butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
✔ Gooey cinnamon swirl
A melt-in-your-mouth brown sugar cinnamon mixture that caramelizes during baking.
✔ Perfect for every fall occasion
Breakfast, brunch, Thanksgiving morning, or dessert — they’re always a hit.
✔ Beginner-friendly
If you’ve never made homemade rolls before, this is a great place to start.
✔ Smells like a fall candle
Your kitchen will smell like apples, cinnamon, and happiness.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining apple pie with a cinnamon roll, this is your moment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To keep this approachable and easy, here’s everything you need for each component.
For the Dough
- Warm milk
- Granulated sugar
- Yeast
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
For the Apple Filling
- Fresh apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith work best)
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
- A pinch of salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Layer
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Softened butter
For the Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or cream
- Vanilla extract
- Butter (optional for richness)
Simple, easy, pantry-friendly — just the way a Recette Patisserie Facile should be.
Best Apples for Apple Cinnamon Rolls
To get that soft, tender, perfectly caramelized texture, choose apples that bake well:
- Honeycrisp
- Pink Lady
- Gala
- Fuji
- Granny Smith (for a tangy contrast)
Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious — they tend to turn mushy instead of caramelizing.
How to Make the Best Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Making rolls may look intimidating, but every step is incredibly simple. Follow these steps, and you’ll be baking like a pro.
Step 1 — Make the Dough
You’ll start by warming your milk and mixing it with sugar and yeast. After it activates, add melted butter, eggs, flour, and salt. Knead until the dough is soft, stretchy, and smooth.
Let it rise until doubled in size — usually about 1 hour.
This dough is soft, forgiving, and perfect for beginners.
Step 2 — Make the Apple Filling
Cook diced apples with butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla until tender and caramelized. This becomes the apple pie-like filling that takes these Cinnamon Rolls to a whole new level.
Step 3 — Make the Cinnamon Sugar Spread
Mix softened butter with cinnamon and brown sugar until it forms a thick paste. This gives that gooey center swirl.
Step 4 — Roll Out the Dough
Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread the cinnamon butter mixture across the entire surface, then gently spoon the apple filling on top.
Step 5 — Roll Up and Slice
Roll the dough tightly into a log. Use floss or a very sharp knife to slice thick rolls (this prevents squishing).
Arrange them in a baking pan so they touch for soft, fluffy sides.
Step 6 — Second Rise
Let the rolls rise again until puffy — around 20–30 minutes.
This step ensures pillowy, bakery-style rolls.
Step 7 — Bake and Glaze
Bake until lightly golden, soft, and bubbly with caramelized edges.
Then drizzle with a warm glaze that melts into the spirals.
And just like that — the perfect fall pastry is ready!
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls are best served:
- Warm
- Glazed generously
- With extra apple filling spooned over top
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream (yes, for breakfast)
- As part of a fall brunch spread
They also pair beautifully with hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, cappuccinos, and warm tea.
Apple Cinnamon Roll Variations
1. Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Add extra cinnamon and more diced apples.
2. Caramel Apple Rolls
Drizzle warm salted caramel over the glaze.
3. Maple Glazed Rolls
Replace the milk in the glaze with maple syrup.
4. Cupcake-Style Cinnamon Rolls
Bake individually in a cupcake tin for cute single-serve rolls.
5. Healthy Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Swap some sugar for maple syrup and use whole wheat pastry flour.
Storage & Freezing Tips
These rolls store beautifully.
Room Temperature:
Up to 2 days.
Refrigerator:
Up to 5 days.
Freezer:
Freeze baked or unbaked rolls for up to 2 months.
To reheat:
Warm in microwave for 15–20 seconds to restore gooey softness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to cook the apples first?
Yes! Raw apples release too much liquid and make soggy rolls.
Can I make these overnight?
Absolutely! Refrigerate sliced rolls before the second rise, then bake in the morning.
Can I make these as mini rolls?
Yes — roll thinner and slice smaller for party-friendly pastries.
Can I turn this into a giant skillet cinnamon roll?
YES. It looks stunning and makes a fun brunch centerpiece.
Full Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Below is your full, ready-to-publish recipe card.
⭐ RECIPE CARD — Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: ~2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
INGREDIENTS
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
For the Apple Filling
- 3 large apples, peeled + diced
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
For the Cinnamon Spread
- ½ cup softened butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp melted butter (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make the Dough
- Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add eggs and melted butter.
- Stir in flour and salt until a dough forms.
- Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth.
- Place in a bowl, cover, and rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
- Melt butter in a pan.
- Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla.
- Cook until apples soften and caramelize (8–10 minutes).
- Cool slightly.
3. Make the Cinnamon Spread
Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until creamy.
4. Assemble
- Roll dough into a 16×12 inch rectangle.
- Spread cinnamon mixture over the dough.
- Spoon apple filling evenly across.
- Roll tightly into a log.
5. Slice
Cut into 12 rolls using floss or a sharp knife.
Place in a greased baking dish.
6. Second Rise
Let rolls rise 20–30 minutes until puffy.
7. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes, until lightly golden.
8. Glaze
Whisk glaze ingredients together and pour over warm rolls.
Final Thoughts — The Apple Cinnamon Roll You’ll Make Every Year
These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are everything that makes fall magical: cozy spices, caramelized apples, warm dough, sweet glaze, and soft, gooey centers. They’re perfect for crisp mornings, holiday gatherings, gifting, and rounding out your collection of:
- Fall Baking Recipes
- Cinnamon Recipes
- Apple Recipes
- Food Cakes
- Recette Dessert
- Recette Patisserie Facile
