If you’re craving that perfect cozy morning treat, let me introduce you to my favorite Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. These rolls are irresistibly tender, packed with sweet apple filling, and smothered in luscious cream cheese frosting — trust me, once you make them, your kitchen will smell like autumn all year round. I love how soft and fluffy the dough turns out; it’s a real crowd-pleaser whether you’re making them for a weekend brunch or a special occasion. Ready to dig in? Let’s get rolling!

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Why This Recipe Works

Tender Brioche Dough: The rich, buttery dough is soft yet sturdy enough to roll tightly without tearing.
Homemade Apple Filling: Fresh apples cooked just the right amount keep a pleasant bite and natural sweetness.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling: Sweet and spicy with a creamy butter base to complement the apples beautifully.
Cream Cheese Frosting: The smooth frosting adds tangy sweetness and melts perfectly over warm rolls.

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Recipe, Autumn Breakfast Treats - 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

Each ingredient in this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe plays a starring role, from the rich eggs and butter in the dough to the perfectly spiced apple filling. Picking the right apples and butter can make a big difference — I’ll share a little tip on that below.

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Recipe, Autumn Breakfast Treats - 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: Provides moisture and richness; make sure it’s lukewarm to activate the yeast without killing it.
Granulated Sugar: Helps feed the yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough and filling.
Active Dried Yeast: The secret to that fluffy rise; always check your yeast is fresh for best results.
Eggs: Bind the dough and add richness—room temperature helps them blend smoothly.
Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them.
All-Purpose Flour: Our base for soft but sturdy dough that holds shape.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and tenderness; at room temperature makes it easier to mix evenly.
Apples: I prefer tart but sweet apples like Granny Smith or Fuji; peel and dice small for even cooking.
Cinnamon or Apple Pie Spice: Gives that signature warm spiciness that makes these rolls irresistible.
Cornstarch: Thickens the apple filling to keep it from making the dough soggy.
Pecan Halves: Toasted for crunch and nuttiness that complements the apples and cinnamon.
Brown Sugar: Deeper, caramel notes that pair beautifully with cinnamon in the filling.
Cream Cheese: Adds tang and creaminess to the frosting, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Powdered Sugar: Makes the frosting smooth and spreadable.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds the perfect creamy consistency to the frosting.

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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

I love making this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe my own — sometimes swapping pecans for walnuts or adding a splash of vanilla to the frosting. You should definitely tailor it how you like; that’s the fun of baking at home!

Variation: I’ve tried adding a handful of golden raisins into the apple filling for a little extra burst of sweetness—totally delicious!
Seasonal Twist: Swap apples for pears or try adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice in the fall to mix things up.
Diet Friendly: For gluten-free, try a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend, but note the texture might be a bit denser.
Extra Cinnamon Kick: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves into the cinnamon filling for a warmer spice profile.

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

Step 1: Bubble Up the Yeast and Make the Dough

Start by warming your milk to just lukewarm—not hot! I usually test with my wrist; it should feel like a warm bath. Stir in a bit of sugar and yeast, then wait about 10-15 minutes for it to foam up nicely—that tells you the yeast is alive and kicking. In your stand mixer bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and remaining sugar before adding the yeast mixture and eggs. Mix on low, then increase speed to medium as the dough starts coming together. The final stretch is adding room temperature butter a little at a time, letting it fully incorporate before adding more. Keep mixing until you have a soft, elastic dough that feels smooth to the touch. Don’t rush this part; good dough makes everything easier later on.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Form your dough into a ball and cover it tightly—plastic wrap is perfect here. Pop it in the fridge for a slow, flavorful rise of at least 2 hours or overnight if you have the time. If you’re short on time, a warm spot works well too, but the slow fridge rise really improves the flavor and texture. You’ll know it’s ready when it has roughly doubled in size and feels a bit puffy.

Step 3: Make the Apple Filling and Toast Pecans

While the dough is rising, melt butter in a skillet and toss in peeled, diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cook till apples are just tender but not mushy—about 3-5 minutes. Stir in cornstarch to thicken so the filling isn’t too runny, then chill until you’re ready to assemble. Meanwhile, toast your pecans on a lined baking sheet—shaking the pan occasionally—to bring out their nutty flavor. I always test by snapping one in half; they should be fragrant and golden.

Step 4: Prepare the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

Mix softened butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined. This spread melts into the dough during baking and adds that irresistible caramelized taste we all love.

Step 5: Roll, Fill, and Chill the Dough Logs

Grease your baking dish or line a sheet pan with parchment. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle (aim for about 24”x16”). Keep your rolling pin moving evenly and square off edges often so everything fits nicely. Spread your brown sugar cinnamon filling all over, followed by the apple pie filling, then scatter your chopped toasted pecans on top. Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight spiral. Divide the log into two pieces and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm them up—it’s a little trick I use to make slicing cleaner.

Step 6: Slice and Final Proof

With a sharp knife, slice each dough log into 6 equal rolls (using a ruler helps to get even slices). Arrange them spaced evenly in your prepared pan. Cover them loosely and let them rise for another 45-60 minutes until puffy and springy to the touch. This second rise is important for those classic fluffy layers.

Step 7: Bake and Frost

Bake the rolls in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and smelling heavenly. Let them cool for about 15 minutes before spreading on the cream cheese frosting, which you’ll make by whipping butter and cream cheese together, then adding powdered sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt until fluffy. Slathering the frosting on while the rolls are still warm—not hot—gives you that perfect gooey melt.

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Pro Tips for Making Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Warm Milk Temperature: Too hot and your yeast dies; too cold and it won’t activate. Wrist test works wonders.
Room Temperature Butter & Eggs: They mix more easily into the dough, helping keep it supple and smooth.
Chill Dough Logs Before Slicing: This simple step makes slicing less messy and keeps the rolls neat and even.
Don’t Skip the Final Rise: It’s crucial for that soft, airy texture we all crave in cinnamon rolls.

How to Serve Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Recipe, Autumn Breakfast Treats - 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 personally love a light dusting of cinnamon powder or some finely chopped toasted pecans on top of the frosting for a little crunch and extra spice. Sometimes I add a drizzle of caramel sauce when I want to get fancy—it’s like eating dessert for breakfast!

Side Dishes

Pair these apple cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. They also taste amazing alongside crispy bacon or scrambled eggs for a balanced brunch that’s a total crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to place the rolls in individual ramekins or muffin tins before baking for charming, pull-apart single servings. Wrapping each with a little ribbon also makes them perfect homemade gifts. Serving warm rolls on a wooden board garnished with fresh apple slices elevates the presentation beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. To keep them soft, I like wrapping them in foil after reheating if I’m saving them for later in the day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well! After slicing, freeze the rolls on a sheet pan until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want to bake, just thaw them in the fridge overnight and let them rise before baking. It’s a great way to prep ahead without sacrificing taste or texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to get that fresh-baked softness back. For a bit crispier edges, I gently toast them in the oven wrapped in foil at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix the dough by hand using a strong wooden spoon and then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 minutes until smooth and elastic. It takes more effort but the end result is just as delicious.
What type of apples work best for the filling?

I recommend using tart and firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the filling. They hold their shape well and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity to complement the cinnamon rolls.
Can I prepare the rolls ahead of time and bake later?

Yes! You can assemble, slice, and arrange the rolls in the pan, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Just bring them to room temperature and allow a second rise before popping them in the oven.
How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?

They’re done when the tops are golden brown and puffed up. You can also check with a skewer inserted into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, not sticky dough.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t get enough of this Soft Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe — it’s become my go-to, especially on crisp weekend mornings when I want something warm and comforting to share with family or friends. The blend of soft, buttery dough with sweet apple and cinnamon filling plus that creamy frosting? It’s like a big hug in pastry form. So go on, give it a try! You’ll love the process as much as the results, and trust me, your kitchen will thank you.