Apple cinnamon rolls

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These homemade apple cinnamon rolls, with apple cinnamon filling and soft, fluffy, and buttery dough, create the perfect sweet breakfast that you can enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea during the fall season.

A black baking dish filled with sweet rolls with apple and brown sugar filling and shiny transparent glaze. One roll was taken from the dish.

Why you should try this apple cinnamon roll recipe

Perfectly sweetened – Just like these homemade Cinnamon rolls, these apple pie rolls are perfectly sweetened, striking the ideal balance between the sugary goodness of cinnamon and apple filling and the buttery richness of the dough.
The dough can be made the day before baking – One of the best things about this recipe is that you can prepare the dough a day in advance. This time-saving feature means you can have fresh, warm apple cinnamon rolls ready for breakfast or brunch with minimal effort in the morning.

What apples to choose

Crisp and tart apples like Granny Smiths add a contrast to the sweet brown sugar filling. Their tartness pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and sugar, creating an amazing flavor.

On the other hand, sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady can also work well, offering a milder, fruity sweetness that complements the overall taste. Ultimately, the choice of apple variety depends on your personal preference, whether you prefer a zesty kick or a sweeter note in your rolls.

Are you looking for more apple desserts? Look no further! Check out this Apple turnover recipe, or these Apple cinnamon muffins that are quick and easy to make. Or try this Apple Tarte Tatin if you want to wow your guests with a stunning-looking dessert.

A hand is holding a cut-in-half bun with apple and brown sugar filling. Fresh apples are on the background.

Ingredients you will need

For the apple cinnamon roll dough

Flour – You will need bread flour to make an apple cinnamon rolls recipe.
Yeast – I use instant yeast, but you can replace it with active dry yeast, or fresh yeast. Keen to learn more about different yeast types and when to swap them? Check out our article on 'Types of Yeast and How to Use Them in Baking'!
Ground cinnamon
White granulated sugar
Salt
Large egg
Whole milk
Butter – Use softened unsalted butter so it combines with the dough easily.

For the apple pie filling

3-4 firm apples – I used 4 small apples (450g) but you can adjust the amount according to the size of apples you use.
Unsalted butter
White granulated sugar – You can replace it with the same amount of brown sugar if you want.
Ground cinnamon
Vanilla extract

For cinnamon sugar filling

Sugar – I use a mix of white and brown sugar.
Cinnamon
Unsalted butter – It’s important that you use a very soft butter so it is easy to spread on top of the surface of the dough.

A hand is holding cinnamon apple roll with shiny transparent glaze. Fresh apples are on the background.

Cooking tips and tricks

Use a digital kitchen scale. When it comes to bread and buns, you should use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients for accuracy and to get consistent results every single time.
Chill the dough before rolling it out. After your dough has been proofed, it will be warm, silky, smooth, and soft. Such dough can be difficult to work with. However, if you chill it in the freezer, the butter inside the dough will solidify, making it easier to roll and shape it into a log.
Check the inside temperature for doneness. If it's challenging to determine if your cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling are fully baked, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature inside the dough should reach at least 195F (90C).

How to make apple cinnamon rolls

Prepare the dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment combine the flour, yeast, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the egg and milk and knead on medium-low for 3 minutes. Then switch to medium and knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough has formed but still sticks to your hands.
Add the butter one tablespoon at a time and knead until fully incorporated. Don’t add the next portion of butter unless the previous one was completely incorporated.
Knead the dough for 7-10 minutes, or until you can stretch a small piece of the dough into a square, creating a film thin enough for light to pass through (windowpane test).
Leave the dough to proof for one hour in a warm, draft-free place, until it has doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and place it on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Form a rectangle and close the plastic wrap. Place into the freezer for 30-60 minutes or until well chilled and not soft but still pliable.

A collage image shows how to make cinnamon dough for apple rolls in four steps.

Make the brown sugar filling and apple filling

Into a skillet, add all the apple filling ingredients, and mix well.
Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are soft and the sauce has caramelized.
Remove the skillet from the heat and separate the syrup and the apple cubes using a strainer into two separate bowls.
For the sugar filling, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl and take the butter out from the fridge to soften, or heat it in a microwave for 5-10 seconds at a time until very soft but not melted.

A collage image shows how to make apple pie filling and sugar filling for apple cinnamon buns in four steps.

Making the apple rolls and baking them

When the dough has chilled, place it onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the top with flour and roll it into a 13" by 20" (33cm by 50cm) rectangle.
Spread the soft butter for the sugar filling over the surface, leaving ½ inch at one long end of the rectangle untouched. Sprinkle with the prepared sugar and cinnamon mixture and press gently. Then, spread the apple cubes on top.
Roll up lengthwise, starting with the end that is covered with filling, so you have one big log. Take the end of the rectangle that is not covered with the fillings and pinch it into the rest of the log to form a seam. Roll the log so the seam is on the bottom.
Cut the log into 12 slices using a sharp knife or dental floss and place them into a 9" by 13" (22cm by 33cm) deep pan greased with butter. Cover with a kitchen towel for 30-40 minutes to proof.
Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).
Bake the rolls on the middle rack for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and risen. Remove from the oven and let cool down until just warm.
Brush the warm rolls with apple syrup leftover from cooking the apple cubes, and serve.

A collage image shows how to make shape and bake apple cinnamon rolls in six steps.

Possible variations

Cream cheese frosting – The creamy and slightly tangy frosting on top of cinnamon apple rolls complements the sweet and spiced apple filling, creating a delicious contrast of flavors.
Salted caramel – Caramel and apples sound delicious! That’s why you are free to go all in and drizzle some homemade Salted caramel on top of your apple cinnamon buns.
Nuts – Consider incorporating chopped nuts into your apple cinnamon rolls. Whether you choose pecans, walnuts, or almonds, the nuts will provide some contrast to the soft and gooey filling.

An apple cinnamon roll with shiny transparent glaze is served on a small round plate. Fresh apples are lying around the plate.

FAQ

How to store apple cinnamon rolls?

Store apple cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze baked apple cinnamon rolls. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Can you make these rolls with other fruits?

Yes, you can make these rolls with another fruit like peaches or pears.

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