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Close-up of glazed cinnamon rolls with chopped nuts in a baking dish, one roll being lifted with a spatula.
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Apple Cinnamon Yeast Rolls

Dive into these apple cinnamon rolls, made with soft yeast dough, spiced apples inside, and a buttery glaze on top. They are totally irresistible.
Prep Time2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time3 hours
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 Rolls
Calories: 322kcal
Author: Wendy

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • lightweight kitchen towel or plastic wrap
  • small bowl
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Medium bowl
  • whisk

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm milk 110°F
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened

Filling:

  • 2 cups finely chopped peeled apples about 2 medium
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Mix the flour and salt together.
  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with the sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
    A mixing bowl with wet ingredients, surrounded by bowls of flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and three green apples on a white surface.
  • Add egg, butter, and the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, adding more flour if needed.
    A mixing bowl with flour, surrounded by three green apples, a bottle of vanilla extract, and several empty glass bowls on a white surface.
  • Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour or until doubled.
    A glass bowl with a round ball of dough, three green apples, a bottle of vanilla extract, and part of a stand mixer visible on a white surface.
  • Punch down dough and roll into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter.
    A sheet of dough rolled out on a floured baking tray with a marble rolling pin above; apple slices partially visible on the side.
  • In a small bowl, mix apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread over dough.
    Chopped green apples mixed with cinnamon in a glass bowl, three whole green apples beside it, and covered dough in another bowl on a white surface.
  • Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 slices. Place rolls in a greased 9x13-inch pan. Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
    A partially sliced, unbaked strudel on a floured baking sheet with some filling oozing out, next to a serrated knife. Green apples are visible on the left side of the image.
  • Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
    A rectangular white baking dish with twelve unbaked cinnamon rolls next to three green apples on a white surface.
  • Whisk glaze ingredients together and drizzle over warm rolls before serving.
    A hand pours white glaze over a pan of baked cinnamon rolls, with three green apples on the white surface nearby.

Notes

  • Make sure your milk is warm (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast.
  • Don’t over‑knead the dough — you want it smooth and elastic, but still soft.
  • Let the rolls rise until nearly doubled before baking so they’re light and fluffy.
  • Glaze while warm for best melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture.
  • These rolls shine for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Storage

  • Storing: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2‑3 days.
  • Reheating: To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 20‑30 seconds (or more if needed) until warm.
  • Make‑ahead: You can assemble the rolls (through step 4), cover the pan and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them rise ~30‑60 minutes at room temp before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Roll | Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg