These apple cinnamon rolls are a warm and tasty treat! Soft dough wrapped around spiced apples and topped with sweet icing makes them impossible to resist.
Honestly, there’s nothing better than the smell of these baking in the oven. I often enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a cozy cup of coffee—pure bliss!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Warm Milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast. If you’re lactose intolerant, feel free to use almond or soy milk. Just make sure it’s warm, not hot!
Active Dry Yeast: A vital ingredient for fluffy rolls. If you have instant yeast, you can use that instead. Just mix it with the dry ingredients rather than activating it in milk first.
Apples: I love using Granny Smith for their tartness, but feel free to mix and match. Honeycrisp or Fuji apples work great too! They’re sweeter and add delicious flavor.
Butter: Unsalted butter is standard, but if you only have salted, you might want to cut back on added salt in the dough. Margarine is also a fine substitute if you’re out of butter.
Nuts: If you want to skip nuts for allergy reasons, just leave them out! The rolls will still be fantastic. If you have almonds or pecans, they add a nice crunch if you want to use them.
How Do I Get My Dough to Rise Perfectly?
The key to a good rise is creating a warm environment. Yeast thrives in warmth! Here’s how to ensure your dough rises perfectly:
- Use warm milk (about 110°F) to activate the yeast—it should feel comfortable to your finger, not hot.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free area. You can turn on your oven to the lowest setting, then turn it off and place the dough inside, covered with a towel.
- Keep an eye on the dough; it should be doubled in size. Don’t rush it—patience pays off with fluffy rolls!
How to Make Delicious Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp salt
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), optional
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (more as needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take approximately 2 hours in total. You’ll need about 20 minutes for preparation, 1 to 1.5 hours for rising, and 25-30 minutes for baking. Just a little patience is key to enjoy these warm and gooey rolls!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Start by making the dough. In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy—that means the yeast is active! In a large bowl, mix the sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Now, add the foamy yeast mixture and stir everything together.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until you have a soft dough that holds together nicely.
3. Knead the Dough:
Lightly flour your surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. This helps develop the gluten, giving your rolls the perfect texture!
4. First Rise:
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. You can turn on your oven for a few minutes to warm it up, then turn it off and let the dough rise inside.
5. Prepare the Filling:
While waiting for the dough to rise, let’s make the filling! In a bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set it aside for now.
6. Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 16×12 inches, on a floured surface. Make sure it’s even to ensure consistent baking.
7. Add the Filling:
Spread the prepared cinnamon sugar butter mixture evenly over the surface of the dough. Then sprinkle the chopped apples and nuts evenly on top.
8. Roll it Up:
Starting from the longer side, carefully roll the dough into a log. Try to keep it tight so your rolls will be nice and fluffy!
9. Slice the Rolls:
Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal slices. Place them cut side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each roll for them to rise again.
10. Second Rise:
Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes until they’re nice and puffy. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
11. Bake the Rolls:
Bake the rolls in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until they are golden brown and the kitchen smells amazing!
12. Make the Glaze:
While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If it’s too thick, just add a little more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
13. Serve and Enjoy!
Once the rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm rolls, and then serve! Enjoy your delicious homemade apple cinnamon rolls!
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough Instead of Making My Own?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought cinnamon roll dough. Just follow the instructions on the package for preparing the rolls, and then add your apple filling before baking!
Can I Make These Rolls Vegan?
Yes! You can substitute the milk with plant-based milk (like almond or soy) and use a dairy-free butter alternative. Replace the eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water).
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. Just reheat them gently in the microwave or oven!
What Spices Can I Use in the Filling?
Besides cinnamon and nutmeg, you can add other warm spices like cardamom or allspice for extra flavor. You can also incorporate a splash of vanilla extract into the filling for an extra layer of sweetness!