Homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Easy Recipe!

Let’s talk about a breakfast treat that brings smiles to even the grumpiest morning faces: homemade apple cinnamon rolls. I remember the first time I attempted these…

It was a blustery October day, the kind where the leaves were swirling outside, and the house felt extra cozy. My oldest was obsessed with all things apple, and I thought, “Hey, how hard can it be?” Famous last words, right? I envisioned perfectly swirled, golden brown homemade apple cinnamon rolls gracing our breakfast table.

Well, the dough was sticky, the apples were slipping and sliding, and my youngest decided it was the perfect time to “help” by dumping extra cinnamon everywhere. The end result? Slightly misshapen, but surprisingly delicious homemade apple cinnamon rolls that my family devoured. The sweet, warm scent filled the house, erasing all the kitchen chaos. It’s a memory I treasure.

These homemade apple cinnamon rolls are more than just a recipe; they are a slice of comfort, a sprinkle of joy, and a whole lot of love baked into every bite. And trust me, even if yours look a little wonky (like mine often do!), they’ll still taste amazing. So, grab your aprons, fellow kitchen warriors, and let’s dive into this delicious adventure together! This homemade apple cinnamon rolls recipe fits perfectly into the beautiful chaos of my family life, and I bet it will yours too.

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

Here’s what you need to whip up a batch of these delightful treats! Trust me, this ingredient list is SHORT because mama doesn’t have time for fancy!

Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk, warmed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

Apple Cinnamon Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great!)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

No worries if you don’t have unsalted butter – I use salted all the time in my homemade apple cinnamon rolls. Just skip adding any extra salt. For the apples, you can grab a bag of pre-diced apples at Walmart while doing your regular grocery run.

This homemade apple cinnamon rolls recipe doesn’t have to break the bank. Brown sugar is brown sugar, even if it’s the store brand. A mom hack that saved my sanity? I sometimes prep the apple filling the night before. I just toss the diced apples with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

My family loves when I add a sprinkle of chopped pecans to the filling for extra crunch! Feel free to customize to your family’s taste! If you have leftover apples, you can whip up a batch of my Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce.

Let’s Make it Happen!

Okay, fellow kitchen warriors, let’s get baking these amazing homemade apple cinnamon rolls!

1. Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means your yeast is alive and kicking!
2. Mix the Dough: Add the melted butter, sugar, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix well. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.

In my chaotic kitchen, this step usually takes me about 10 minutes. Don’t worry about being perfect. Good enough is good enough!

3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Perfect time to fold that laundry pile while the dough is resting!

4. Let it Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

While your dough is rising, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee! Mama needs her fuel!

5. Prepare the Filling: While the dough is rising, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Set aside.
6. Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has doubled, punch it down (yes, it’s therapeutic!), and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.

Don’t panic if your rectangle isn’t perfect. These homemade apple cinnamon rolls are all about love, not geometry!

7. Add the Filling: Spread the softened butter mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the diced apples evenly over the butter mixture.

Here’s where I used to mess up my homemade apple cinnamon rolls – don’t make my mistake! Make sure the butter is SOFT!

8. Roll it Up: Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough into a log.
9. Slice the Rolls: Use a sharp knife or dental floss (yes, really!) to slice the log into 12 equal pieces.

Dental floss gives you a super clean cut! Mom hack alert!

10. Arrange in Pan: Place the apple cinnamon swirl rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
11. Second Rise: Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.

Your homemade apple cinnamon rolls should smell amazing by now! Almost there!

12. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Here’s another mom confession: I’ve definitely forgotten about them in the oven before! Set a timer!

13. Make the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
14. Frost and Serve: Once the homemade apple cinnamon rolls are slightly cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Serve warm and enjoy!

How We Love to Eat This!

Okay, so you’ve got these beautiful homemade apple cinnamon rolls, now what? Here’s how we devour them in my house!

The kids devour these homemade apple cinnamon rolls when I serve them with a side of scrambled eggs and some fresh fruit. It’s a breakfast of champions! These apple cinnamon swirl rolls are perfect for lazy weekend mornings or even those crazy weeknight dinners when you just need something comforting. I often make them for holiday brunches too; they’re always a hit.

I keep it real with the presentation: I just plop the whole pan on the table and let everyone dig in! No fancy plating needed! Leftover homemade apple cinnamon rolls (if there are any!) are amazing warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For a seasonal twist, try adding a dash of apple pie spice to the filling in the fall! Everyone always compliments me on the best apple cinnamon rolls from scratch! It is a great recipe that can be adapted to suit most tastes. For more festive inspiration, check out Mommy Made Meals Pumpkin Chai Cinnamon Rolls.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Alright, let’s tackle some common questions I get asked about these homemade apple cinnamon rolls.

• Can my picky eater handle these homemade apple cinnamon rolls? Absolutely! You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and apples to suit their taste. You could even leave out the apples in a few rolls for the extra picky ones!
• What if I burn my homemade apple cinnamon rolls? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!) Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! If they’re just a little too brown, cover them with foil for the last few minutes of baking. If they’re seriously burnt, salvage what you can and learn from the experience!
• Can I make these homemade apple cinnamon rolls ahead for meal prep? Yes! You can assemble the rolls and keep them in the fridge overnight. Just let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
• What kind of apples work best? Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are my go-to apples, but feel free to experiment! Any apple that holds its shape well during baking will work.
• Can I freeze these? You can freeze the unbaked rolls or the baked rolls. For unbaked, freeze them after the second rise. For baked, freeze them after they’ve cooled completely.
• Can I use a different kind of frosting? Of course! A simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk works great too. Or get fancy and try a maple glaze!
• My dough isn’t rising, what’s wrong? Make sure your yeast isn’t expired and that your milk isn’t too hot or too cold. Yeast likes a warm (but not scalding!) environment.
• Can I make these vegan? Yes, there are vegan options! The Curious Chickpea has a good version of Vegan Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls.

Final Thoughts:

These homemade apple cinnamon rolls are special to my family because they remind us of cozy fall mornings, holiday gatherings, and simple moments of togetherness. It’s a fall apple cinnamon rolls recipe that everyone loves. They’re not just about the taste; they’re about the memories we create while baking and sharing them.

My homemade apple cinnamon rolls Mom Hacks:

• Prep the apple filling the night before.
• Use dental floss to slice the rolls for a clean cut.
• Don’t stress about perfection; just have fun!

Family-tested homemade apple cinnamon rolls variations:

• Pecan Pie Rolls: Add chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup to the filling.
• Caramel Apple Rolls: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting.
• Apple Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Bake: For a fun twist try this recipe Apple Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Bake

My oldest loves the pecan pie version, my youngest is all about the caramel apple, and I’m a sucker for the classic apple cinnamon. Make it your own!

I hope you and your family enjoy these homemade apple cinnamon rolls as much as we do. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy, laugh a lot, and create some delicious memories along the way.

You’ve got this, fellow kitchen warriors! Happy baking! You will love the best apple cinnamon rolls from scratch! And remember, Do apple cinnamon rolls need to be thicker to hold the apples? Check it out here for what others are saying. If you want a slightly different texture in the dough, try this recipe – Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls from Cloudy Kitchen

 

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