With warm spices, tart apples and a decadent cream cheese frosting, apple cinnamon rolls are the perfect morning treat when autumn weather hits—or, let’s be honest, anytime. To make these rolls (a seasonal twist on regular cinnamon rolls), mix ingredients for the dough and assemble the rolls by rolling the dough into a large rectangle on a floured baking surface. From here, it’s all about nailing your rolling technique to get the perfectly formed rolls before popping them in the oven and making the frosting. Though the process takes time, homemade apple cinnamon rolls are worth every bit of the effort.
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- All-purpose flour: Take care not to add too much flour or you’ll get dry, sense rolls.
- Sugar: Sugar feeds the yeast and makes the dough lightly sweet.
- Quick-rise yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh and alive to give these rolls their proper lift.
- Salt: Salt enhances all the flavors.
- Milk: 2% milk is best (or even heavy cream).
- Apple cider (or juice): Apple cider gives this dough its delicious apple flavor.
- Butter: Be sure your butter is slightly softened.
- Egg: Eggs help bind all the ingredients together.
- Apples: We like using Honey Crisp apples for this recipe.
- Brown sugar: The hint of molasses in brown sugar pairs nicely with the apple and cinnamon.
- Walnuts: Take the time to finely chop the walnuts.
- Ground cinnamon: This adds a nice warmth to the overall flavor profile.
- Cinnamon stick: This gives the frosting its robust cinnamon flavor.
- Cream cheese: Cream cheese is rich and creamy, providing the perfect base for frosting.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This sugar is lighter and more powdery than regular granulated sugar.
Directions
Step 1: Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the 2-1/4 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, cider and 1/4 cup of butter to 120°F to 130°. Add to dry ingredients and beat until just moistened. Add the egg and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (the dough will be sticky).
Step 2: Knead the dough
Turn onto a floured surface and knead the dough until smooth and elastic (about six to eight minutes). Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Roll into a 15×10-inch rectangle and spread the remaining 1/3 cup of butter to within 1/2 inch of its edges. Combine the apples, brown sugar, walnuts and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter.
Step 3: Roll ’em up
Roll up jelly roll-style, starting with the long side and pinch the seam to seal. Cut it into 12 slices. Place the cut side down in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325°.
Step 4: Bake
Bake until the rolls are golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. For the frosting, place the cider and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup, for about 20 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and cool the cider.
Step 5: Finish the frosting and serve
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar and reduced cider and beat until smooth. Spread over warm rolls.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Variations
- Make a regular cream cheese frosting: Feel free to slather these with regular cream cheese frosting if you’d rather.
- Drizzle with maple syrup: We love drizzling the tops of these cinnamon rolls with maple syrup when they come out of the oven.
How to Store Apple Cinnamon Rolls
To ensure these apple pie cinnamon rolls stay as fresh as possible, store them loosely covered at room temperature—as long as they’re unfrosted. Cinnamon rolls don’t keep well for long so be sure to eat them within one to two days.
Can you freeze apple cinnamon rolls?
Yes. Freeze the rolls, unrisen, in the pan and cover them tightly with layers of plastic wrap and foil before sticking the pan in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat rhwm allow the rolls to thaw and rise before baking and icing them.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls Tips
How do I make sure my apple cinnamon rolls have the right texture?
If you follow this apple cinnamon rolls recipe to a tee, your rolls should turn out perfectly fluffy and light. Most importantly, keep in mind your yeast should be fresh and the dough should be rolled very thin—it should feel smooth and supple to the touch to ensure that the rolls hold their shape while baking.
How do I slice apple cinnamon rolls?
Pro-tip: use dental floss to cleanly slice your rolls. ( Here are other need-to-know info and tips about how to make the best cinnamon rolls.)
Can I make a double batch of these apple cinnamon rolls?
Definitely! Just be sure to use multiple pans. Don’t overcrowd the rolls or they won’t rise properly.
