Description
These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with spiced apples and cinnamon sugar, then topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for fall mornings, weekend brunch, or a cozy treat, they bring together the comforting flavors of apple pie and cinnamon rolls in one bite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (7g) instant yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled & diced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (to absorb excess juice!)
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency!)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. (If using instant yeast, you can skip the wait!)
- Add melted butter, egg, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour, kneading until a soft dough forms (8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer).
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Apple Cinnamon Filling
- In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until apples soften slightly. Let cool.
Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
- Roll out the dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Brush with melted butter, then spread the apple filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side, then cut into 12 even rolls.
- Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Make the Vanilla Glaze & Serve
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Want extra gooey rolls? Add ½ cup of caramel sauce on top before baking.
- Love nuts? Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling.
- Make ahead! Prep the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning!
- Prefer cream cheese icing? Swap the glaze for a cream cheese frosting for extra richness.