There’s something truly magical about warm, gooey baked treats fresh from the oven. This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe is one of my all-time favorites to make when I want to fill the kitchen with cozy, comforting aromas and share a delicious morning or afternoon treat with friends and family.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've baked my fair share of cinnamon rolls, but adding chopped Honeycrisp apples and finishing them off with a luscious brown butter maple icing takes these rolls to another level. It’s like autumn in every bite and so worth the extra step.
- Perfect balance of flavors: Tart, sweet apples mixed with warm cinnamon and buttery dough make this roll unforgettable.
- Brown butter icing: The maple syrup in the icing creates a deep, nutty sweetness that perfectly contrasts the rolls.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prep the rolls in advance or even freeze for later—great for busy mornings or hosting.
- Fun to share: These rolls fill your kitchen with that irresistible scent that draws everyone to the table.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a special role to create the tender, flavorful rolls you want. Here’s a little insight about why these work so well together and a few tips for shopping smart.
- Warm milk: This wakes up the yeast gently for a perfect rise without killing those precious organisms.
- Active dry yeast: Classic leavening agent that gives these rolls their soft, airy texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses flavor complementing the cinnamon and apples.
- Salted butter: Using salted butter adds richness and depth; make sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing.
- Eggs: Build structure and richness to the dough, making it tender and flavorful.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives these rolls their tender, chewy texture—use quality flour for best results.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
- Honeycrisp apples: I always pick Honeycrisp for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor that holds up beautifully in the filling.
- Cinnamon: The warm, fragrant spice that is life in any cinnamon roll.
- Granulated and brown sugar (filling): Combine for just the right sweetness and a little crunch.
- Cream cheese: Adds tang and creaminess to the icing—don’t skip it!
- Maple syrup: The star sweetener here; I love the natural flavor it imparts in the icing.
- Powdered sugar: For that classic smooth icing texture.
- Vanilla extract: A flavor enhancer that rounds out the icing perfectly.
Make It Your Way
I love personalizing this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe to match the season or my mood. Sometimes I swap Honeycrisp for Granny Smith for a tarter bite, or add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar — tiny twists that make it my own.
- Nut-Free Variation: Use a dairy-free butter substitute and coconut cream cheese to accommodate allergies without losing flavor.
- Extra Fruity: Try mixing in dried cranberries or raisins with the apples for extra texture and bursts of sweetness.
- Spicy Upgrade: Add a dash of ground cloves or allspice to the filling for a cozy, warming note perfect for fall or winter.
- Less Sweet: Reduce sugar in the icing if you prefer a more subtle sweetness and let the apple filling shine.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare the dough
Start by mixing warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar in your stand mixer bowl, then let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it gets bubbly on top. This bubbling means your yeast is alive and ready—don’t rush this step! Then add butter, eggs, 3½ cups flour, and salt, mixing with the dough hook for 4–5 minutes. If it’s still sticky, gradually add flour until it feels smooth and soft. Trust me on this: the dough should be pliable but not sticky to ensure fluffy rolls.
Step 2: First rise
Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for about an hour until it’s doubled in size. This is where the magic happens, so give it patience—no peeking too often or you might lose some warmth.
Step 3: Prepare the apple cinnamon filling
While the dough rises, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Butter your baking dish—this helps the rolls brown beautifully and prevents sticking later.
Step 4: Roll out, fill, and shape the rolls
Punch down your dough gently and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12x18 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly, sprinkle chopped apples, then your cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. Roll the dough tightly starting from the long edge closest to you, sealing the edge by pinching the dough. Slice into 12 to 15 rolls and place them neatly in your prepared pan. Cover again and let rise 20–30 minutes for a puffed, light texture.
Step 5: Bake until golden
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake your rolls for 25–30 minutes or until they’re beautifully golden and the house smells like pure joy. Keep an eye near the end—if tops brown too fast, tent with foil.
Step 6: Make the luscious brown butter maple icing
Melt your butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to brown and smells nutty, about 2–3 minutes. Take it off the heat quickly so it doesn’t burn! In a bowl, whisk cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and glossy.
Spread the warm rolls with the icing and get ready to indulge!
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours: these tips helped me perfect the Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe and will make your baking smoother and even more delicious.
- Precise dough texture: When adding flour after the initial mixing, add a little at a time—too much flour makes the rolls dense.
- Even apple distribution: Spread the apples evenly so every roll has a balanced bite of tender fruit.
- Timing for icing: Spread the icing while the rolls are still warm so it melts slightly, creating that perfect drip.
- Don’t rush the rises: Both the first and second rise give you fluffy, tender rolls, so relax and let the yeast do its thing.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a few chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon on top for a little extra texture and warmth. Sometimes, a thin apple slice fan gives a fancy touch if I’m serving guests. Nothing too fussy, just a little charm.
Side Dishes
When I’m really indulging, I pair these with a steaming cup of coffee or chai latte. For a brunch spread, crispy bacon or a fresh green salad complement the richness beautifully, balancing sweet and savory.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or holidays, I arrange the rolls in a circular pattern on a pretty platter, icing them generously in the center. It makes the centerpiece not only delicious but beautiful—and perfect for everyone to grab and share.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I wrap leftover rolls tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. They keep their soft texture nicely in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to revive freshness before serving.
Freezing
I’ve found freezing the unbaked rolls after shaping (step 4) works best for me. Just cover well and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before baking fresh, and they rise beautifully as if baked fresh—lifesaver for busy mornings!
Reheating
For reheating, I like to warm them in a 300°F oven covered loosely with foil for about 10–15 minutes to keep them soft without drying out. You can also nuke in short bursts if you’re in a hurry, just be careful not to overdo it or they’ll get tough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples offer a great balance of tartness and sweetness, Granny Smith or Fuji apples also work well. Just pick a variety that holds its shape when baked to avoid a soggy filling.
From start to finish, including rising and baking, plan for about 2 and a half hours. The active hands-on time is around 30 minutes, but the dough needs time to rise twice, which is essential for soft rolls.
Yes! Substitute salted butter with a plant-based butter and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the icing. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Store cooled rolls in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. They’ll last up to 4 days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze them, and thaw gently before reheating to keep them soft and fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe will quickly become your go-to for holidays, lazy weekends, or whenever you want to treat yourself with something truly special. The combination of tender dough, spiced apple filling, and that unforgettable maple icing feels like a warm hug in food form. I hope you love making and sharing them as much as I do!
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Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy dough is filled with a sweet apple cinnamon mixture, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a rich brown butter maple cream cheese icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Apple Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped
Brown Butter Maple Icing
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until bubbly on top, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add the salted butter, eggs, 3 ½ cups of the flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with the dough hook until the flour is fully incorporated, about 5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, gradually add the remaining ½ cup flour until the dough is smooth to the touch.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Mix Filling & Prepare Pan: In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon for the filling. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough & Add Filling: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the chopped apples followed by the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.
- Shape Rolls: Starting from the long edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the edges to seal, then cut into 12-15 equal rolls using a sharp knife. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat Oven & Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 30 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.
- Make Brown Butter Maple Icing: While the rolls bake, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Allow it to brown lightly and smell toasted, about 3 minutes, then remove from heat. In a bowl, whisk the cream cheese with maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Ice & Serve: Spread the icing over the warm rolls immediately after baking. Serve and enjoy the delicious combination of apple cinnamon and brown butter maple flavors!
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare the rolls through shaping (step 6). Do not let them rise. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking and proceed.
- To Prepare and Freeze: Assemble rolls through step 6, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge or a few hours at room temperature before baking.
- To Bake and Freeze: Bake the rolls as directed, cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before frosting and serving.
- You can substitute Honeycrisp apples with other firm apples like Granny Smith or Fuji for different flavors.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth icing consistency.
- Add an extra pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for a spicier flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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