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; 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; 3 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

There’s something undeniably cozy about waking up to warm, gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls topped with that rich, velvety maple icing. This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe combines tender dough, sweet-spiced apples, and a luscious brown butter-maple glaze that feels like a warm hug in every bite.

The image shows six cinnamon rolls arranged closely together on a white marbled surface. Each roll has several spiral layers, with golden-brown dough and visible cinnamon filling, some pieces of chopped nuts or apple bits are inside the spirals. A thick layer of creamy white icing covers the top of every roll, dripping slightly down the sides and filling some of the inner swirls. The background includes blurred cinnamon sticks and a bit of a red object in the upper right corner. The rolls look soft, warm, and freshly baked, with a slightly shiny icing texture. 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’ve made these apple cinnamon rolls countless times for weekend breakfasts and holiday mornings, and honestly, they never disappoint. The combination of a soft, fluffy dough with melted apples and a glaze that’s both buttery and sweet is what keeps me coming back, and you’ll see why once you try them.

Super Soft Dough: This recipe uses warm milk and yeast to create a tender, light dough that rises nicely every time.
Fresh Apple Filling: The chopped Honeycrisp apples mixed with cinnamon and sugar add a fresh, crisp sweetness that isn’t overpowering.
Brown Butter Maple Icing: The icing isn’t your average glaze—it’s rich, nutty, and sweet all at once, thanks to browned butter and real maple syrup.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these in advance or even freeze them, which means you can enjoy fresh rolls whenever you want.

The image shows a tray of twelve warm cinnamon rolls covered in thick white icing. Each roll has a soft, golden-brown dough with visible swirls of cinnamon and small bits of chopped nuts inside. The rolls are closely placed together on a piece of parchment paper, with some of the icing slightly melting over the edges. A woman's hand is holding one cinnamon roll that has been taken away from the group, showing the soft and fluffy texture inside. Nearby, there is a small jug of extra white icing and a spoon with some icing on it, placed on a wooden surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe plays an important role to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Let me walk you through the must-haves and why I love them.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl with warm milk, a small white ceramic bowl with light golden brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light cinnamon powder, two whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a smooth mound of all-purpose flour, a few tablespoons of salted butter in dollops, two bright Honeycrisp apples chopped into small pieces, a block of creamy white cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with amber maple syrup, and a few sprigs of vanilla bean placed symmetrically, all arranged 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: Essential for activating the yeast and helping the dough rise to a fluffy perfection. Make sure it’s warm, not hot, or it might kill the yeast.
Active dry yeast: This magical ingredient gives the rolls their airy texture.
Brown sugar: Both in the dough and filling, it adds a deep molasses flavor that complements the apples beautifully.
Salted butter: Room temperature butter in the dough keeps it tender, and the butter in the filling adds that luscious richness.
Eggs: Adds structure and richness.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough — add gradually to get the right consistency.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Honeycrisp apples: Crisp and sweet, these apples hold up well during baking and balance the cinnamon perfectly.
Cinnamon: The star spice for warmth and aroma in the filling.
Granulated sugar: Adds additional sweetness to the apple filling.
Cream cheese: Used in the icing for a silky, tangy contrast to the sweet glaze.
Maple syrup: Gives the icing classic, earthy sweetness — real maple syrup is worth the splurge here.
Powdered sugar: Thickens the icing into a spreadable glaze.
Vanilla extract: Adds that final touch of flavor depth in the icing.

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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

What I love about this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can tweak the filling, switch up the apples, or even adjust the icing to suit your taste—and I encourage you to make it your own!

Variation: I’ve tried adding chopped pecans to the filling for a nutty crunch—totally delicious and adds a lovely texture contrast.
Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese.
Spice It Up: Feel free to mix in a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger in the apple filling for extra warmth.
Less Sweet: If you prefer less sugar, you can reduce the granulated sugar in the filling by a tablespoon or two without losing the essence.

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

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Make the Dough

Start by mixing warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar in your stand mixer bowl. I always wait until it’s bubbly on top—that’s your yeast telling you it’s ready to go. Then, add room-temp butter, eggs, flour, and salt. Use the dough hook to knead everything until smooth and elastic, which takes about 4-5 minutes. If your dough feels sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour—your hands will thank you later!

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise Until Puffy

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it somewhere warm-ish to double in size—about an hour usually does the trick. I sometimes place mine near the oven if it’s chilly in the kitchen.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling and Baking Dish

While the dough’s rising, mix your sugars and cinnamon in a bowl. Butter up your 9x13 baking dish generously—this helps prevent sticking and gives a slight crust on the bottom of the rolls.

Step 4: Roll Out, Fill, and Shape the Rolls

Once your dough is doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface to about a 12x18 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the surface, sprinkle the diced apples and cinnamon sugar mix on top. Then, starting with the long edge closest to you, roll it tightly into a log. Pinch the edges to seal it well, then slice into 12 to 15 rolls. Place them into your buttered dish, cover, and let them rise again for 20-30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake Them to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes. Look for that gorgeous golden brown color on top and edges. The smell at this stage? Pure heaven.

Step 6: Whip Up the Brown Butter Maple Icing

While your rolls bake, melt butter over medium heat until it just starts to brown and gives off a toasty aroma. Remove from heat, then whisk together with cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Spread this magic while the rolls are still warm to get that perfect glaze melt-in-your-mouth effect.

Top Tip

Having made this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve learned some little tricks that really make a difference in your results. These tips help you avoid the typical dough headaches and ensure incredible flavor.

Perfect Dough Temperature: Make sure your milk is warm (not hot) so the yeast activates without dying—it should feel like warm bath water on your wrist.
Tight Rolling: When you roll up the dough, keep it snug but don’t squeeze too hard—this will help the cinnamon rolls keep their shape without squeezing out the filling.
Fresh Apples Matter: Honeycrisp or any firm apple works best because it keeps some texture after baking, making the filling wonderfully fresh, not mushy.
Spread Icing Warm: Wait just a few minutes after baking, then spread your icing while the rolls are still warm—this way, it melts into every crevice, making each bite irresistible.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe

Apple Cinnamon Rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple because these rolls are already packed with flavor, but a light sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top adds a nice touch. Sometimes, a few thin apple slices or a tiny drizzle of extra maple syrup on the plate makes them look restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls shine on their own but pairing them with a fresh fruit salad or a steaming cup of spiced chai or coffee rounds out the meal beautifully. For a brunch spread, I've served them alongside scrambled eggs or yogurt parfaits with granola.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the rolls stacked in a tiered serving platter, drizzled with extra maple icing, and garnished with fresh apple slices and edible flowers. It makes for a stunning centerpiece that's almost too pretty to eat—but trust me, you'll want to!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover rolls store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If the icing soaks in too much or they get a bit stale, just warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to bring back that soft, melty goodness.

Freezing

I often freeze unbaked rolls after assembling them. Once rolled and sliced, I cover the pan tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh in the morning—like freshly made, but without the fuss!

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the rolls with foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. This keeps them moist and stops the icing from melting off too fast. You can also microwave briefly if you’re pressed for time, just watch closely so they don’t dry out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! Firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Pink Lady work well. Just avoid very soft or mealy apples as they won’t hold up during baking.

How long should I let the dough rise?

About 1 hour at room temperature or until the dough has doubled in size for the first rise. After shaping, allow the rolls to rise 20-30 minutes. This ensures soft, fluffy rolls.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based option, use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and replace the eggs with flax eggs or another binder. The texture might change slightly but still delicious.

What’s the best way to store leftover rolls?

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before eating.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe has become a favorite comfort food ritual in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes yours too. There’s nothing better than slowing down to enjoy these warm rolls with family or friends, savoring every bite of sweet apple, spice, and that irresistibly rich icing. Give them a try—you might just find your new weekend tradition!