Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy swirls filled with buttery brown sugar and tender cinnamon apples, topped with creamy icing and caramel glaze. A perfect autumn treat!
Ingredients
Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- ½ tsp salt
Apple Filling
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and finely diced) Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional Topping
- Warm caramel sauce (for drizzling)
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Stir until a dough forms, then knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nuts (if using). Cook 5–6 minutes until soft and caramelized. Cool slightly.
- On a floured surface, roll dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle.
- Evenly spread the apple mixture over the dough, leaving a small border on the edges. Roll it up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 equal pieces.
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch dish, cover with a towel, and let rise 20–25 minutes while preheating oven to 350°F (175°C).
Baking
- Bake for 23–25 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle glaze over warm rolls, then finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Notes
Best Apples: Use tart varieties like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness. Faster Option: Use store-bought pizza or crescent dough if short on time. Make Ahead: Assemble the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning! Extra Gooey: Drizzle more caramel right after baking so it melts into every swirl.