Oh, the smell of warm apple cinnamon rolls baking in the oven—it’s pure magic, isn’t it? I still remember the first time my mom let me help roll out the dough as a kid, sneaking bites of cinnamon-sugar apples when she wasn’t looking. These homemade apple cinnamon rolls are my ultimate comfort food, perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts or impressing friends at brunch. That golden, buttery dough wrapped around sweet spiced apples, finished with a drizzle of glaze… honestly, is there anything better? And trust me, once you’ve had them fresh from the oven, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Oh, where do I even start? These apple cinnamon rolls are pure happiness baked into swirls of dough. First off, that texture—fluffy as a cloud with just the right chew. Then there’s the filling: sweet apples and warm cinnamon hugging each bite. They’re easier to make than you’d think, but you’ll look like a baking rockstar when you pull them out of the oven. Perfect for sharing… though good luck not eating three yourself!
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Let’s talk ingredients—this is where the magic starts. For the dough, you’ll need: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 packet instant yeast, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup water, 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. For the filling: 2 medium apples (peeled and diced—trust me, fresh is best!), ½ cup packed brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. And for that dreamy glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Simple, right? But oh, the flavor they create together is anything but ordinary.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Preparing the Dough
Start by mixing your dry ingredients—flour, sugar, salt, and yeast—in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, gently warm the milk, water, and butter until it’s just warm to the touch (not hot!). Pour this into the dry mix, crack in the egg, and stir until a dough forms. Now, the fun part: knead it on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour. Patience here is key—you want it to double in size!
Assembling the Apple Cinnamon Filling
Once your dough is ready, roll it out into a rectangle—about 12×16 inches works perfectly. Spread your diced apples evenly over the dough, then sprinkle on the brown sugar and cinnamon. Now, roll it up tightly from the long side, like you’re rolling a yoga mat. Don’t worry if it’s a little messy—those swirls are what make these rolls so irresistible! Slice the log into 12 even pieces and arrange them in a greased baking dish.
Baking and Glazing the Rolls
Let your rolls rise again for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake them for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown and smell like heaven. While they’re cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk for the glaze. Drizzle it over the warm rolls while they’re still in the pan—it’ll soak in just enough to make every bite perfect. Trust me, you’ll want to dive in right away!
Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Listen, I’ve made enough batches of these apple cinnamon rolls to know a few tricks! First, always use fresh apples—those pre-cut ones dry out too fast. Let your dough rise in a warm spot (I use my oven with just the light on). And don’t be shy with the cinnamon—taste your filling before rolling and add more if you want that cozy kick. Oh, and slice your rolls with dental floss for clean cuts—just slide it under the roll and cross the ends to slice. Works like a charm every time!
Apple Cinnamon Rolls Variations
Want to mix things up? Try tossing in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples for a little crunch. Raisins or dried cranberries add a sweet-tart surprise. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, swap the glaze for a caramel drizzle—trust me, it’s a game-changer. Get creative and make them your own!
Serving and Storing Apple Cinnamon Rolls
These apple cinnamon rolls are best served warm—the glaze will still be slightly gooey, and the apples are at their sweetest. If you’ve got leftovers (a rare thing in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm them in the oven until they’re soft and fragrant again. Breakfast hero status, restored!
Apple Cinnamon Rolls Nutrition Information
Okay, let’s be real—these aren’t health food, but everything in moderation, right? Each warm, gooey apple cinnamon roll comes in at about 210 calories. You’re looking at 16g of sugar (blame those sweet apples and glaze!) and 5g of fat per roll. Remember, these are just estimates—your exact counts might vary based on apple size or how generously you drizzle that glaze. Worth every delicious bite if you ask me!
FAQs About Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these apple cinnamon rolls—here are the ones that come up most often. If you’ve got a question I didn’t answer, just shout in the comments!
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough?
Sure, you can use store-bought dough in a pinch—it’ll save you about an hour. But honestly? Homemade dough makes all the difference in flavor and texture. If you do go store-bought, look for the freshest refrigerated dough you can find, not the canned stuff.
How Do I Keep the Rolls Moist?
Two words: don’t overbake! Pull them out when they’re just golden. Store cooled rolls in an airtight container—if they last that long. A slice of bread in the container helps absorb excess moisture too.
Which Apples Work Best?
I swear by firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape during baking and balance the sweetness perfectly. Super soft apples turn mushy—save those for apple sauce!
Irresistible Apple Cinnamon Rolls with 12 Gooey Bites
Delicious homemade apple cinnamon rolls with a sweet glaze, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet instant yeast
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup water
- 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl.
- Heat milk, water, and butter until warm. Add to dry ingredients with the egg. Mix until dough forms.
- Knead dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes. Let it rise for 1 hour.
- Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon evenly.
- Roll dough tightly and cut into 12 slices. Place in a greased baking dish.
- Let rolls rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix powdered sugar and milk for the glaze. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- Use fresh apples for the best flavor.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for best results.
- Adjust cinnamon to your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
