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 nothing quite like the comforting aroma of fresh baked cinnamon rolls swirling with tender apple bits and topped with a luscious, silky maple glaze. This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe is my go-to when I want a cozy morning treat that feels special yet is totally doable on a weekend. You’ll love the blend of warm spices, juicy apples, and that boozy-sounding brown butter maple icing that truly makes these rolls shine.

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’ve made plenty cinnamon rolls in my life, but this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe always steals the show. The fresh apples inside add a juicy pop you don’t often get, and the brown butter maple icing adds that next-level richness that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

Perfect balance of flavors: The sweetness of apples and cinnamon combines with a nutty brown butter maple icing that’s just heavenly.
Soft, fluffy dough: The dough is enriched with eggs and butter, making each roll airy and tender, not dense or tough.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prep these in advance, refrigerate or freeze, and still end up with fresh bakery vibes.
Great for sharing: They’re so gorgeous on a brunch table or dessert tray – trust me, people will be impressed.

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 here plays its role to make sure those cinnamon rolls come out perfectly soft, deeply flavored, and topped with an addictive icing. I always recommend using fresh, good quality apples and real maple syrup for the best taste.

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 and helps create a tender dough.
Active dry yeast: The magic that makes the dough rise fluffy and airy.
Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes and helps feed the yeast.
Salted butter: Enriches the dough and filling with creamy, buttery flavor.
Eggs: Contribute to the dough’s richness and structure.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, balancing structure and softness.
Kosher salt: Enhances overall flavor, making sweetness pop.
Brown & granulated sugar (for filling): Sweetens and caramelizes with the apples.
Cinnamon: Classic warming spice that ties everything together.
Honeycrisp apples: Crisp and tart apples provide texture and freshness inside the rolls.
Cream cheese: Adds tang and creaminess to the maple icing.
Maple syrup: Gives the icing its signature sweet, woodsy flavor.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing to the perfect spreadable consistency.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavor adding warmth and depth to 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

One of the things I love about this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. You can adjust the filling, swap apples for pears, or even opt for a dairy-free icing that still tastes indulgent.

Variation: I once swapped Honeycrisp apples for tart Granny Smiths for extra tang, and it was just as delicious, especially with a sprinkle of chopped pecans in the filling for crunch.
Dairy-free icing: Use vegan butter and substitute cream cheese with a plant-based alternative for a completely dairy-free finish.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar for a deeper fall spice profile.

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

Step 1: Activate the yeast and make the dough

Start by warming the milk until it’s pleasantly warm—not hot or you’ll kill those yeasties! Mix in the yeast and brown sugar and watch for that bubbly, frothy layer on top—it tells you the yeast is happily active. Then add softened butter, eggs, 3 ½ cups of flour, and salt to your stand mixer. Let the dough hook do its magic for about 4–5 minutes until the dough pulls away smooth from the sides. If it still feels sticky, sprinkle some extra flour, but be careful not to overdo it or your rolls might turn dense.

Step 2: Let it rise

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it somewhere warm but not hot—my kitchen counter works perfectly. After about an hour, your dough should have doubled in size, giving you that soft, springy texture that means your rolls will bake up fine and fluffy.

Step 3: Prepare the apple-cinnamon filling

While the dough is rising, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Chop your apples into small pieces so they disperse nicely in every bite. Butter up your baking dish because these rolls will stick a bit during baking, and you want them to come out easily.

Step 4: Roll, fill, and slice

Once your dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release air bubbles. Roll it into a 12x18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread room temperature butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle on your cinnamon sugar mix and chopped apples. Roll it up tight from the long edge near you, pinching the seam closed as you go. Slice into 12–15 rolls depending on size preference, and place them snugly in your prepared pan. Cover and let them rise again for 20–30 minutes before baking.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25 to 30 minutes until they’re a gorgeous golden brown. You’ll know they’re done when they look puffy and spring back lightly when touched.

Step 6: Make the brown butter maple icing

Brown butter really takes this icing over the top. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until it smells nutty and turns golden (about 2–3 minutes). Let cool slightly before whisking it with cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Spread the icing generously over the warm rolls so it melts into every nook and cranny.

Top Tip

These rolls turned out best for me when I paid close attention to the dough texture and kept an eye on my butter browning—it smells amazing but can burn quickly! Also, giving the rolls a second rise really helps maximize softness and lightness.

Dough consistency: Don’t add too much flour; a slightly tacky dough means moist rolls after baking.
Butter browning: Stir constantly once you see the color changing to avoid burnt butter flavor.
Rising spots: Find a warm, draft-free space so the dough rises reliably without drying out.
Even slicing: Use a sharp serrated knife or unflavored dental floss for clean cuts without squishing rolls.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe

apple cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a bit of finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the icing for extra texture and a hint of nutty crunch. A light dusting of cinnamon sugar also amps up the cozy, spiced vibe.

Side Dishes

For a brunch spread, pair these rolls with some fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance out the sweetness. If you want a heartier brunch, crispy bacon or sausage links work wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these apple cinnamon rolls in a circular wreath on a round baking sheet and drizzled the icing over the top, creating an elegant, shareable centerpiece that looks stunning on the brunch table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking and icing, I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge if your kitchen’s warm. To keep the rolls moist, I add a small slice of bread inside the container—it helps prevent dryness overnight.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen these rolls both before and after baking. For pre-bake freezing, I assemble them then freeze in the pan wrapped well; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. For after-bake freezing, cool completely then freeze in a tight container—thaw and warm before serving, then top with fresh maple icing.

Reheating

My favorite way to reheat is to slice and warm a roll in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or pop it in a preheated oven at 300°F for 10 minutes wrapped loosely in foil. For rolls without icing, I brush on a little extra melted butter before warming to keep them soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! Tart apples like Granny Smith or pink lady work wonderfully and give a bright contrast to the sweet filling, but keep them diced small so they soften quickly.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the butter and cream cheese in the dough, filling, and icing with plant-based alternatives like vegan butter and vegan cream cheese. The flavor will still be rich and satisfying.

How long do leftover rolls stay fresh?

Leftover rolls stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container, or up to a week in the fridge. Just reheat gently before serving to revive that fresh-baked soft texture.

Can I prepare these rolls the night before?

Definitely! You can assemble the rolls and refrigerate them covered overnight without the second rise. When ready, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as instructed. This makes busy mornings much easier!

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing Recipe is a slice of comfort heaven that’s worth every bit of patience and love you put into it. I make these to celebrate chilly weekend mornings or whenever I want to impress guests with homemade warmth on a plate. I hope you enjoy the process and the result as much as I do – your kitchen will smell like fall dreams and your family will thank you with every buttery, sweet bite.