Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe

There is something truly special about waking up to a batch of warm, gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe fresh from the oven. This recipe brings together the comforting flavors of tender cinnamon spiced apples rolled inside soft, fluffy dough, all topped with a luscious cream cheese maple icing that melts into every crevice. Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend breakfast or a festive brunch, these rolls combine sweet, tangy, and buttery notes in the most irresistible way. Get ready to fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma and your heart with pure joy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe is simple and familiar, yet together they create a perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color that makes the rolls incredibly delicious. From the soft dough to the spiced apple filling and the decadent icing, every element plays an essential role.

• Warm milk (1 cup / 240ml): Activates the yeast and helps create a tender dough.
• Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): The magical ingredient that makes the dough rise fluffy and light.
• Brown sugar (for dough, 1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle sweetness to the dough itself.
• Salted butter, softened (4 tablespoons for dough, 6 tablespoons for filling, 4 tablespoons for icing): Brings richness and moisture throughout.
• Large eggs (3): Provide structure and a golden color to the dough.
• All-purpose flour (3 1/2 – 4 cups / 420-480g): The foundation of your dough’s chewy texture.
• Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Brown sugar (1/2 cup for filling, 1/4 cup for icing): For deep caramel notes in the filling and icing.
• Honeycrisp apples: Skin left on for added texture and natural tartness in every bite.
• Cinnamon: The signature warming spice that envelopes the apples.
• Maple syrup (1/4 cup / 60ml): Adds a unique sweetness and depth to the cream cheese icing.
• Cream cheese (6 ounces / 170g): Provides the silky tanginess that perfectly complements the sweet rolls.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the other flavors with a sweet floral hint.
• Powdered sugar (2-3 cups / 240-360g): Gives the icing the perfect creamy but pourable texture.
• Pinch of kosher salt: Rounds out the icing’s flavor.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by combining the warm milk, active dry yeast, and a tablespoon of brown sugar in your mixer bowl. Letting this rest for 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly is key to waking up your yeast — this tiny kitchen magic makes sure your dough rises just right and gives you that soft, pillowy texture we all love in cinnamon rolls.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Next, add your softened butter, eggs, flour, and salt into the yeast mixture. Use your dough hook to blend everything together until you have a smooth, slightly sticky dough. If it feels too wet, sprinkle a bit more flour in slowly. The result should be tender yet workable — the perfect base for rolling out those apple-filled layers.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and tuck it somewhere warm to double in size, usually about an hour. If it’s cooler in your kitchen, give it an extra 30 minutes wrapped with a clean towel to keep the coziness going. Patience here means your rolls will be lighter and fluffier.

Step 4: Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Filling

While the dough is rising, blend softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to make a rich filling. Peel and chop your Honeycrisp apples, but leave the skins on for a wonderful texture contrast. Toss the apples in the cinnamon mixture until they’re coated and ready to shine in your rolls.

Step 5: Roll Out and Fill the Dough

Once your dough has doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface into a thin rectangle, roughly a quarter-inch thick. Spread the apple cinnamon filling evenly across the dough, making sure to keep the layer thin enough to roll easily but thick enough to taste in every bite.

Step 6: Roll and Slice

Starting from one long edge, roll your dough tightly into a log. Make sure the edges are pressed well, so the filling doesn’t leak out during baking. Slice your log into 12 equal pieces, about 1½ inches thick, and place them spaced apart in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them puff up for another 30 minutes.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown on top. The sweet aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will fill your kitchen — a sure sign that these rolls are ready to be enjoyed.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Maple Icing

While the rolls bake, brown your butter slightly in a pan, then whisk it with maple syrup, cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until the icing is smooth and creamy. Drizzle this melting goodness liberally over the warm rolls just out of the oven for an indulgent finish.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let your Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe cool just a bit to avoid burning — but don’t wait too long! These rolls are best enjoyed warm, when the icing is still drizzly and the scent of cinnamon and apple fills the room.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe

Garnishes

For a beautiful and tasty touch, consider sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the icing for crunch. A light dusting of extra cinnamon or a few thin apple slices can add color and amplify the apple cinnamon flavors, making each bite even more delightful.

Side Dishes

Pair your warm rolls with a cup of rich coffee, spiced chai, or freshly brewed tea to balance the sweetness. For a heartier brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to offer a savory contrast and round out the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving individual rolls in small ramekins or muffin tins for a charming, single-serve twist. You can also create a beautiful breakfast board with these rolls nestled among fresh fruit, nuts, and cheeses to impress guests with an inviting, rustic display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, keep them fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the rolls soft and maintains the delicate flavor of the apple filling and the creamy icing.

Freezing

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe freeze beautifully. Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked softness, pop rolls in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm gently in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes. Add a little extra drizzle of warmed icing if you want to restore all that creamy, maple sweetness.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples offer a wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness, other firm varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji work great too. Just be sure the apples are crisp so they hold up well in the filling.

Is it possible to make the dough without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand! It takes a bit more elbow grease but is totally doable—just mix the ingredients well and knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Can I make the rolls vegan-friendly?

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the butter with plant-based margarine, use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk, and swap the eggs with flax eggs or another egg replacer. Also, choose a vegan cream cheese and maple syrup, and you’ll have a delicious vegan apple cinnamon roll alternative.

How thick should I roll the dough?

A quarter-inch thickness is perfect — thin enough to roll tightly around the filling without cracking, but thick enough to hold the apple cinnamon goodness inside. This thickness helps the rolls bake evenly and stay tender.

Can I prepare the rolls the night before?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls, cover them tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise a bit before baking the next morning for fresh, ready-to-bake rolls with minimal morning prep.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Maple Icing Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels both comforting and indulgent at once. The blend of soft dough, tender cinnamon apples, and that unforgettable maple cream cheese icing is pure bliss. I encourage you to try making these rolls — whether for a special occasion or a simple moment of joy — and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate. Your mornings will never be the same!

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