Apple Cinnamon Rolls
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Looking for the ultimate apple cinnamon roll recipe that’s soft, gooey, and full of warm fall flavors? These homemade apple cinnamon rolls combine the sweetness of brown sugar and apple sauce with the comforting spice of cinnamon and allspice. Whether you’re baking with a bubbly sourdough starter or using traditional yeast, this recipe delivers perfectly fluffy rolls every time. Plus, you can make them gluten-free without sacrificing flavor—just swap in a gluten-free flour blend. Optional Cinnabon-style cream adds extra gooeyness for the perfect breakfast or dessert treat. Perfect for fall mornings, holiday gatherings, or any time you crave a sweet, spiced pastry!
Why You’ll Love Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- A Fusion of Classic and Orchard Freshness: These rolls marry the timeless appeal of cinnamon rolls with the fruity goodness of applesauce and diced apples, giving you a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
- Soft, Gooey, and Utterly Comforting: The dough is carefully crafted to yield soft, pillowy rolls that practically melt in your mouth. With a gooey filling of brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced apples, every bite is an indulgent, comforting experience.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Perfection: The crowning glory of these rolls is the luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s sweet, tangy, and oh-so-creamy, providing the perfect contrast to the warm, spiced rolls.
Ingredients You Need To Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
For the Dough:
- all-purpose flour
- sugar
- sea salt
- milk
- egg
- butter
- sourdough starter, active and bubbly or 2 tsp yeast + 1 tbsp sugar in ½ cup warm water (110°F)
- ground cinnamon
For the Filling:
- butter, melted
- applesauce
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- ground allspice
Optional Cinnabon-Style Gooey Rolls:
- heavy cream
For The Frosting
- powered sugar
- maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- milk
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the Starter (Sourdough Only):
Feed your sourdough starter at least 4 hours in advance to ensure it’s active and bubbly.
Prepare the Dough:
- In a small pot over medium-low heat, warm milk and butter until the butter melts. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine milk/butter mixture, sugar, sourdough starter (or yeast mixture), and egg. Mix well.
- Add flour, cinnamon, and salt. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook on setting #2, mix 5–8 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and doesn’t tear easily.
First Rise (Overnight or Fridge Option):
- Place dough in a large buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let sit 8–12 hours at room temperature until doubled.
- Fridge Option: Cover completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let dough come to room temperature for 1–2 hours before rolling.
- Using a bread warming box or heat pad can reduce rise time.
Shape and Second Rise:
- Butter a 9×13 or 12” round baking dish.
- Roll dough into a 14×12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Brush dough with melted butter. Spread apple sauce evenly, then sprinkle cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar mixture on top.
- Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 9 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Place rolls in the buttered dish, leaving 1–2 inches between each. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, allowing them to rise until doubled.
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Optional Cinnabon-style: Pour 1 cup heavy cream around the rolls before baking for extra gooeyness.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until tops are golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before glazing.
Glaze:
- Mix powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and heavy cream until smooth.
- Pour over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?
Certainly! After baking, allow them to cool completely, wrap them tightly, and store them in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw and reheat as needed.
I don’t have sourdough starter. Can I use yeast instead?
Yes! Dissolve 2 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in ½ cup warm water (110°F) and let it foam for 5–10 minutes. Use this in place of the sourdough starter—the dough will rise beautifully and taste amazing.
Get all the best baking tips!
Wondering how in the world to get the BEST bake every time? We’ve laid it all out for you.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Ingredients: Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 4 tbsp butter
- ⅓ cup sourdough starter, active and bubbly OR see yeast option If you don’t have sourdough starter, dissolve 2 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in ½ cup warm water (110°F). Let it sit 5-10 minutes until foamy, then use in place of the sourdough starter.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Ingredients: Filling
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- ½-¾ cup apple sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
Ingredients: Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tbsp tbsp milk
Cinnabon Gooey-Style Option (Optional):
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Prepare the Starter (Sourdough Only)
- Feed your sourdough starter at least 4 hours in advance to ensure it’s active and bubbly.
Prepare the Dough:
- In a small pot over medium-low heat, warm milk and butter until the butter melts. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine milk/butter mixture, sugar, sourdough starter (or yeast mixture), and egg. Mix well.
- Add flour, cinnamon, and salt. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook on setting #2, mix 5–8 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and doesn’t tear easily.
First Rise (Overnight or Fridge Option):
- Place dough in a large buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let sit 8–12 hours at room temperature until doubled.
- Fridge Option: Cover completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let dough come to room temperature for 1–2 hours before rolling.
- Using a bread warming box or heat pad can reduce rise time.
Shape and Second Rise:
- Butter a 9×13 or 12” round baking dish.
- Roll dough into a 14×12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Brush dough with melted butter. Spread apple sauce evenly, then sprinkle cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar mixture on top.
- Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 9 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
- Place rolls in the buttered dish, leaving 1–2 inches between each. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, allowing them to rise until doubled.
Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Optional Cinnabon-style: Pour 1 cup heavy cream around the rolls before baking for extra gooeyness.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until tops are golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before glazing.
Frosting
- Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
Nutrition
Indulging in these Apple Cinnamon Rolls is like taking a bite out of a perfect autumn morning. The warm, comforting flavors of apple pie combined with the classic allure of cinnamon rolls create a truly magical breakfast experience. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or savoring them in quiet solitude, these rolls are bound to become a cherished addition to your morning routine. Enjoy!
The Secret To Cinnamon Rolls
Introducing heavy cream to your cinnamon rolls is like adding a secret ingredient that takes them to the next level. The cream brings a luxurious tenderness to the rolls’ texture, making each bite soft, moist, and incredibly satisfying. As the rolls bake, the cream works its magic, creating a golden, slightly caramelized exterior that adds a subtle richness to every bite. It’s an insider’s tip to crafting cinnamon rolls that are not just good but exceptional.
How much do we add?
When pouring heavy cream into the pan for cinnamon rolls, you don’t need to entirely submerge the dough. The goal is to provide a generous amount to ensure moisture and flavor enhancement, but not so much that it drowns the dough. Aim to cover about 2/3 of the dough with the cream, leaving some parts exposed.
How much diced apples do you add to the filling?
1 cup diced 🙂
I don’t see the diced apples in the instructions. Is it apple sauce or diced apples?
Applesauce 🙂
It calls for apples and applesauce in the ingredients list but doesn’t tell you what to do with the apples….
Hello! It is just apple sauce in this recipe 🙂