Name: Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: PT-491238H57M55S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 250g whole milk, lukewarm; 50g granulated sugar; 2 ¼ tsp active dried yeast; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; ½ tsp kosher salt; 565g all-purpose flour; 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature; 850g peeled, cored, and diced small apples (about four medium); 30g unsalted butter; 80g granulated sugar; ½ tsp ground cinnamon or apple pie spice; ¼ tsp kosher salt; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 125g pecan halves; 190g unsalted butter, at room temperature; 280g brown sugar; 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ⅛ tsp kosher salt; 115g unsalted butter, at room temperature; 225g cream cheese, at room temperature; 250g powdered sugar, sifted; 1-2 tbsp heavy whipping cream; ½ tsp kosher salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 44 reviews

If you’ve been dreaming about that perfect sweet breakfast treat that tastes like a cozy hug, then you’re in for a real delight with this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. These rolls are beautifully soft, loaded with tender apple filling, and wrapped in warm cinnamon sweetness—trust me, they’re fan-freaking-tastic. Whether you’re serving up brunch for friends or just want to treat yourself, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for a comforting, bakery-style indulgence at home.

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Why This Recipe Works

Tender, Brioche-Style Dough: The rich dough made with butter and eggs creates unbeatable softness and that slight sweetness perfect for cinnamon rolls.
Fresh Apple Filling: Lightly cooked apples mixed with cinnamon and thickened just right add a juicy, natural sweetness without overpowering the rolls.
Perfect Cinnamon Brown Sugar Spread: This classic filling balances the tartness of the apples and blends into every bite with warmth and gooey texture.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy, smooth frosting complements the flavors and keeps the rolls irresistibly moist.

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, homemade apple cinnamon buns, bakery-style cinnamon rolls - A white square pan filled with nine golden-brown cinnamon rolls with a spiraled shape and bits of nuts inside, arranged in three rows and three columns. The rolls cover the entire pan, with a large smooth layer of creamy white frosting spread on the bottom left half of the rolls, while the top and right side remain unfrosted, showing the shiny cinnamon filling. The pan sits on a white marbled surface sprinkled lightly with flour and cinnamon powder. Small bowls of cinnamon powder and pecans are placed at the top right and top left corners, along with a metal whisk and a dough roller partially visible on the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting the right ingredients together is half the fun here. Each element plays a part in bringing that soft, fluffy texture and rich layered flavors that make this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe so special. When shopping, look for fresh apples and quality dairy for the best results.

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, homemade apple cinnamon buns, bakery-style cinnamon rolls - Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl with whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with lukewarm whole milk, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of active dried yeast granules, a small white bowl with kosher salt, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a square of unsalted butter at room temperature, four peeled and cored medium apples diced into small cubes, a small white bowl with brown sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of cornstarch, whole pecan halves, a small white bowl filled with softened unsalted butter, a small white bowl of cream cheese at room temperature, a small white bowl with sifted powdered sugar, a small white bowl containing heavy whipping cream 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

Whole milk: Lukewarm milk wakes the yeast gently, giving the dough its tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and activates the yeast properly.
Active dried yeast: The magic behind the dough’s rise and fluffiness.
Large eggs: Add richness and structure to the brioche dough.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dough and filling without overpowering.
All-purpose flour: Provides the right gluten balance for soft but structured rolls.
Unsalted butter: Brings richness to both the dough and fillings, making the rolls tender and flavorful.
Apples: Fresh, peeled, cored, and diced for a juicy, tender filling that won’t fall apart.
Cinnamon or apple pie spice: Gives that cozy, spicy warmth essential in apple treats.
Corn starch: Thicken the apple filling so it’s not watery and keeps the rolls from getting soggy.
Pecan halves: Toasted for crunch and nutty depth.
Brown sugar: Key to that sticky, caramelized cinnamon filling.
Cream cheese: Makes the frosting irresistibly tangy and creamy.
Powdered sugar: Provides smooth sweetness in the frosting without grittiness.
Heavy whipping cream: Adjusts frosting consistency to be spreadable and light.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best parts about this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how you can make it your own. I love adding toasted pecans because they add a fantastic crunch contrast, but you can always swap them out or add your favorite nuts or even raisins. Don’t be shy about experimenting with spices too!

Vegan Variation: I’ve not tried this one vegan myself, but you can replace butter with vegan alternatives and swap eggs for flax eggs; just keep an eye on the dough texture.
Extra Warmth: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger into the filling for a seasonal twist I adore come fall.
Fruit Swap: Use pears or peaches if apples aren’t in season—just adjust the cooking time to get them tender but not mushy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast and Mix the Dough

Start by combining lukewarm milk with a bit of sugar and your yeast in a bowl. You’ll want to wait 10-15 minutes until it gets foamy—this tells you the yeast is alive and kicking. Next, mix your flour, salt, and remaining sugar in your mixer’s bowl. Add the yeast mixture and eggs, then knead on low speed for a few minutes. When it comes together, crank up the speed and mix for a good 5 minutes before gradually adding in softened butter piece by piece. Keep mixing until your dough is silky, smooth, and a bit sticky but manageable – this usually takes about 7-10 minutes. The dough will feel like a soft pillow—that’s exactly what you want!

Step 2: Chill and Rise the Dough

Shape your dough into a ball, pop it in a bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and stick it in the fridge for at least 2 hours—or better yet, overnight. If you’re short on time, leave it in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 45 minutes to an hour. I often do the overnight rest because it develops the flavor beautifully and makes handling the dough easier.

Step 3: Make That Delicious Apple Filling

Sauté diced apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon (or apple pie spice), and salt until the apples soften but aren’t mushy—about 3-5 minutes. Then whisk in corn starch to thicken things up and cook until the mixture glistens and is thick enough to stay put—the perfect spread for our rolls! Pop it into the fridge to cool while you prep the rest.

Step 4: Toast Your Pecans

While you’re waiting on the filling, toast pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Toss them occasionally to get them evenly golden and fragrant – this little step fills your kitchen with such a cozy aroma. Once toasted, let them cool before chopping roughly for the rolls.

Step 5: Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling Magic

Mix softened butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until it’s all beautifully combined. This mixture will create that irresistibly gooey layer within your rolls that pairs perfectly with the fresh apple filling.

Step 6: Assemble Your Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle (24″ x 16″). Spread the cinnamon-brown sugar filling evenly over the dough, then layer on the apple filling, followed by the chopped toasted pecans. Roll the dough up tightly starting with the long edge, then cut the log into two halves. I find lifting a ruler helps to get even slices when you cut them later.

Place these logs on a greased or parchment-lined sheet, cover them lightly with plastic wrap, and pop them in the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm up the dough—it’s a trick I picked up to get cleaner slices. After chilling, slice each log into six even rolls and arrange them in your baking dish with some space to rise.

Let the rolls rise again for about 45 minutes to an hour until they’re puffy and spring back slowly when you poke them gently. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Step 7: Bake and Frost

Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and smelling absolutely amazing. Let them cool for at least 15 minutes (trust me, it’s worth the wait) before spreading a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top while they’re still warm. The slight warmth helps it melt just right, turning your rolls into the soft, gooey, apple-cinnamon bliss you’re craving.

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Pro Tips for Making Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Don’t Rush the Dough: Patience pays off—allowing the dough to rest overnight really amps up softness and flavor.
Roll Tight but Gentle: Rolling the dough snug helps create those lovely swirls; just be gentle so you don’t squish out the filling.
Freeze Briefly Before Slicing: Chilling the rolled logs makes slicing neater and easier, reducing messy filling spills.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring eggs and butter are room temp improves dough consistency and helps everything mix uniformly.

How to Serve Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon roll recipe, homemade apple cinnamon buns, bakery-style cinnamon rolls - A metal baking dish holds six soft cinnamon rolls, with one removed showing the bottom layer coated in a sticky cinnamon filling and bits of nuts. Each roll has a creamy white icing thickly spread on top, swirled smoothly over the soft golden brown dough, with visible cinnamon spirals peeking through under the icing. One cinnamon roll sits on a small white scalloped plate in the lower right corner, showing its fluffy layered inside. The background is a white marbled surface lightly dusted with flour, with a wooden rolling pin nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some extra chopped toasted pecans on top after frosting for crunch and a pretty finish. Sometimes a light dusting of cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce amps up the presentation and indulgence—try it once, you’ll love how it looks and tastes!

Side Dishes

This Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. If you want a heartier brunch spread, add scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad for balance. The sweetness of the rolls really shines alongside light, savory sides.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special breakfasts, I place individual rolls in festive cupcake liners and gift-wrap small boxes with a few inside. It makes a charming homemade gift and lets everyone unwrap their own little apple cinnamon surprise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I recommend warming individual rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds—just enough to revive that soft, fresh-baked feeling without drying them out.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked rolls after assembling and slicing for up to 3 months. Just wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight, then let rise at room temperature before baking. I’ve done this when prepping early for holiday brunch, and it really saves time without sacrificing quality.

Reheating

For reheating baked rolls, the microwave works great for a quick warm-up. If you want to keep the edges a little crisp, a short bake in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes works wonders. Add the cream cheese frosting after reheating so it stays fresh and creamy.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples in this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe?

Absolutely! I recommend tart apples like Granny Smith for balance, but Fuji or Honeycrisp work well too. Just adjust cooking times slightly so they don’t get too mushy during filling preparation.
Do I have to use cream cheese frosting?

Not at all! While cream cheese frosting adds a tangy richness, you can swap it for a vanilla glaze or even simple powdered sugar icing. I personally love the creamy contrast, but feel free to tailor it to your taste.
Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?

Yes! Kneading by hand takes a bit more elbow grease and time (about 10-15 minutes), but it’s totally doable. Just make sure the dough feels smooth and elastic before resting.
How do I know when the cinnamon rolls have risen enough before baking?

Look for rolls that have puffed up noticeably and when you gently poke them, the indentation springs back slowly but not completely. This indicates good fermentation and will lead to soft, fluffy rolls.

Final Thoughts

Soft apple cinnamon rolls aren’t just a recipe to me—they’re a little piece of happy mornings wrapped up in sweet dough. I love sharing these with friends and family because they always bring smiles and a little extra comfort to the table. Give this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe a try—you’ll enjoy not only the delicious results but the warm memories you’ll create along the way. Now, roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking!