Name: Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature; 3 large eggs; 3 1/2 - 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature; 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped; 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature; 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2-3 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

There’s something downright irresistible about warm, gooey cinnamon rolls bursting with tender chunks of apple and topped with silky, sweet maple icing. This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe brings together comforting flavors that wake up your kitchen and your taste buds all at once.

The image shows several cinnamon rolls placed close together on a tray with a white marbled texture beneath. Each roll has visible layers, with the dough in a light golden brown color swirling around the darker cinnamon filling that looks rich and slightly textured. A creamy, off-white icing is generously spread on top, partially covering the cinnamon layers and creating a smooth contrast against the rougher roll surface. In the background, there are some brown cinnamon sticks and a small part of a red container visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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 absolutely adore this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe because it perfectly balances the cozy spice of cinnamon, the freshness of apples, and the indulgent sweetness of maple. It’s one of those recipes that fills your home with incredible aroma and brings a smile at every bite.

Perfectly Tangy & Sweet Filling: Using crisp Honeycrisp apples keeps that fresh fruit texture and balances the rich cinnamon sugar beautifully.
Brown Butter Maple Icing: The nutty depth from browning the butter is a game changer - it adds a sophisticated twist to traditional icing.
Soft Yet Structured Dough: The dough’s texture is just right—not too sticky, not too dry—so the rolls rise fluffy but hold their shape when sliced.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these ahead of time, freeze, or refrigerate the dough which makes it manageable even on busy mornings.

A close-up view of a group of warm cinnamon rolls on a white marbled surface, arranged in rows on parchment paper; each roll has a thick swirl pattern with golden brown dough and darker cinnamon filling visible inside, all topped with a generous layer of creamy white icing that is smooth and slightly shiny, some icing dripping down the sides; a silver spoon with icing rests nearby with more cinnamon sticks scattered around and a white pitcher with a red rim partially visible above the rolls; the top right shows a woman's hand holding one cinnamon roll slightly lifted from the group photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient plays a crucial role in making these rolls deliciously tender, flavorful, and irresistible. Here’s the rundown, including some tips I’ve picked up to help you get the best results.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a few teaspoons of active dry yeast granules beside it, a tablespoon of brown sugar in a small white bowl, four tablespoons of salted butter cut into chunks on a white plate, three large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a heap of all-purpose flour on a white plate, a small white bowl with kosher salt, a small white bowl with brown sugar, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, two fresh Honeycrisp apples, chopped into chunks on a white plate, a small white bowl with softened salted butter, a block of cream cheese on a white plate, a small white bowl with amber maple syrup, a small white bowl with powdered sugar, and a small white bowl of vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Warm milk: Activates the yeast gently—make sure it’s not too hot or you’ll kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate.
Active dry yeast: The magic that makes the dough rise and become airy.
Brown sugar: Adds a touch of molasses flavor that complements cinnamon and apples perfectly.
Salted butter: Using salted butter in both dough and filling adds savory depth; soften it to room temp for easier mixing.
Large eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of your dough, with enough gluten to rise well but still remain tender.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
Honeycrisp apples: Their crisp texture and natural sweetness hold up well during baking and taste fantastic.
Cinnamon: The essential spice that gives these rolls their signature warmth.
Granulated sugar: Balances out brown sugar in the filling for the perfect sweetness level.
Cream cheese: Makes the icing luxuriously creamy and tangy.
Maple syrup: Adds natural, rich sweetness that pairs beautifully with browned butter in the icing.
Powdered sugar: Thickens the icing and adds smooth sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the icing with a sweet, floral note.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. You can easily switch up the filling or tweak the icing to make these your own.

Variation: Once, I swapped apples for juicy pears with a dash of nutmeg—delicious twist that surprised my family.
Healthier version: Try swapping half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to add a nutty depth and fiber.
Spice it up: Add cloves or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar filling for extra warmth.
Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter and a coconut cream cheese alternative; the rolls still turn out rich and tasty.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast and Make the Dough

Start by warming your milk to around 110°F—not too hot! I usually test this by dipping a finger in; it should feel pleasantly warm. Stir in the yeast and brown sugar, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it’s bubbly and alive. This is the first sign your rolls will be perfectly fluffy. Next, add softened butter, eggs, some of your flour, and salt. Mix it with a dough hook on low speed—if the dough feels sticky after a few minutes, sprinkle in a bit more flour until it’s smooth but still soft to the touch. Remember, dough should be a little tacky but not clingy. Cover it and let it rise until doubled, about an hour. Patience here really pays off in texture.

Step 2: Mix the Apple Cinnamon Filling & Prepare the Pan

While your dough is rising, mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon for that perfect filling blend. Butter your baking dish generously to prevent sticking and add a subtle buttery crust to the rolls’ edges once baked. Keep this ready so you can roll out the dough right away once it’s proofed.

Step 3: Roll Out, Fill, and Shape Your Rolls

After your dough has risen and bounced back when poked, punch it down gently to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 12x18 inches). Spread your softened butter evenly, then scatter chopped apples and the cinnamon sugar mix all over. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge toward you—you want a snug log but not so tight it squeezes out the filling. Seal the edge by pinching it together, then slice into 12 to 15 equal rolls. I usually count on 12 for hearty sizes or 15 for lighter treats. Place these in your buttered dish, cover, and let them rise again for 20 to 30 minutes. This second rise locks in softness and puffs up each roll beautifully.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes. Watch for a golden brown top and a doughy yet fully cooked interior. If you’re a thermometer person like me, internal temperature around 190°F means they’re done. Resist the urge to open the oven door too often—it can drop the heat and affect how well they rise and brown.

Step 5: Brown Butter Maple Icing Magic

While your rolls bake, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden and smells nutty—that browned butter aroma is seriously addictive. Take the pan off the heat and whisk this into your softened cream cheese along with maple syrup, vanilla, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. You want a luscious, spreadable icing that’s sweet but with layers of flavor. Slather it over the warm rolls as soon as they come out of the oven to let the icing sink into every crevice.

Top Tip

From my years baking these apple cinnamon rolls, I’ve learned a few tricks that helped me avoid common pitfalls and achieve consistent success every time.

Yeast Activation: Always verify your yeast is active by letting it bloom with warm milk and sugar—the bubbly surface is your green light.
Butter Temperature: Don’t rush softening butter—room temp means it’s soft enough to spread but won’t melt into the dough prematurely.
Rolling Technique: Rolling the dough evenly and tight ensures your rolls bake uniformly and prevents filling spill-out.
Second Rise: Skipping or shortening the second rise affects texture—allow the rolls to puff for light, tender layers.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe

apple cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a few thin apple slices or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on top of the icing for a little extra crunch and visual charm. A light dusting of cinnamon also adds a lovely finishing touch that makes these rolls look and taste bakery-worthy.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea, making them a perfect weekend brunch treat. If you want to go savory on the side, crispy bacon or a sharp cheddar cheese plate contrast nicely with all that cinnamon sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the rolls in a flower pattern on a round pan or plate and drizzle the maple icing from a piping bag to create pretty designs. Another favorite is serving them warm in individual ramekins with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I let the rolls cool completely, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. They keep well at room temperature for up to two days and taste even better warmed slightly in the oven or microwave.

Freezing

I often freeze the unbaked rolls right after shaping them on a baking dish—wrap the whole pan tightly in plastic and foil. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and then bake fresh. You can also freeze fully baked rolls; just thaw and warm before frosting and serving.

Reheating

Reheat individual rolls wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes, or microwave them for 20-30 seconds covered with a damp paper towel to keep them moist. Then refresh with a little extra maple icing or a pat of butter for that fresh-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these apple cinnamon rolls without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix the dough by hand using a sturdy spoon at first, then knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. It takes more effort but works just fine.

What’s the best apple variety to use?

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite because they stay crisp during baking and offer a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. You can also use Fuji, Braeburn, or Granny Smith if you prefer more tartness.

Can I prepare these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the rolls through step 4, then refrigerate them overnight without the second rise to bake fresh the next day. You can also freeze either before or after baking for longer storage.

How do I store leftover rolls?

Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze and reheat before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate, whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a cozy weekend breakfast. It’s one of those recipes that fills your home with magic smells and your soul with happy memories. I’m excited for you to try it—trust me, once you pull these out of the oven and spread that glossy maple icing over the top, you’ll want to make them again and again.