If you’ve ever dreamed of a cozy weekend morning filled with warm, gooey, spiced-sweet delights, then this Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Imagine tender rolls bursting with luscious apple butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a rich maple cream cheese frosting that melts on your tongue. These cinnamon rolls are a perfect blend of autumnal flavors and classic bakery charm that will have you craving them long after the last crumb is gone.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe serves a delicious purpose, from the yeast that creates the soft dough to the apple butter that brings a spiced sweetness. Simple yet essential, these ingredients come together to build the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color you’ll see in your rolls.
- Active dry yeast (1 envelope / 1 tablespoon): The magic starter that makes the dough rise beautifully fluffy and soft.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Adds moisture and richness, helping create tender dough.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup + 1/4 cup for filling): Sweetens the dough and adds caramelized flavor during baking.
- Large eggs (2, beaten): Provide structure and richness to the dough.
- Butter (6 tablespoons, melted and cooled): Adds buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The foundation of your dough, it gives it strength and elasticity.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Apple butter (1 cup): Infuses the rolls with spiced apple magic that sets these cinnamon rolls apart.
- Light brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Provides a deep, molasses-y sweetness in the filling.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon for frosting): Wakes up the senses with warm spice that’s synonymous with cinnamon rolls.
- Cream cheese (3/4 cup): The base for a luscious, tangy frosting that complements the sweet filling.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and smooths out the frosting perfectly.
- Maple syrup (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle, natural sweetness and complexity to the frosting.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness and enriches the flavor.
How to Make Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Activate the Yeast
Start by gathering your ingredients to make the process smooth and joyful. Activate the yeast by mixing it with a tablespoon of milk and sugar, letting it rest for about 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy. This step ensures your rolls will be perfectly soft and airy. If it doesn’t foam, don’t hesitate to start over with fresh yeast — the best rolls need happy yeast.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients and Prepare the Dough
Once the yeast is ready, whisk in the remaining milk, sugar, beaten eggs, and melted butter (make sure the butter is cooled or it might kill your yeast!). This combination gives your dough richness and tenderness, setting the stage for an irresistible texture.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Knead the Dough
In your stand mixer bowl, blend the all-purpose flour with salt, then add the wet yeast mixture. Knead with the dough hook at medium speed for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft, stretchy, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add a bit more flour by the tablespoon only if it clings excessively to your hands. The resulting dough should feel like the perfect dough ball — ready to rise beautifully.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Transfer the dough to a greased large bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 45 to 60 minutes. If it’s chilly in your kitchen, tuck it into a turned-off oven or near a cozy warm spot. This rising process develops flavor and that soft, pillowy crumb you’re dreaming of.
Step 5: Roll Out and Add the Apple Butter Filling
Once risen, gently punch the dough down and roll it onto a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 18 by 12 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Spread a generous layer of that glorious apple butter across the surface. Next, mix the light brown and granulated sugars with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the apple butter, leaving a small border on one edge for easier rolling sealed tightly.
Step 6: Assemble and Slice the Rolls
Roll up the dough jelly-roll style, starting from the long edge opposite the border. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to slice the roll into twelve beautiful spirals. Arrange the cinnamon rolls snugly in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover, and let them rise again for 20-30 minutes until puffy and pillowy. This extra rise makes for those soft, melt-in-your-mouth layers.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 18-25 minutes until golden and just set in the middle. Keep a close eye on them so the tops don’t darken too much — if they start browning early, tent your pan with foil. When done, place the pan on a wire rack to cool slightly, but don’t wait too long to move on to frosting!
Step 8: Prepare and Spread the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
While the rolls are still warm, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and spreadable. Slather the frosting over the warm rolls, letting it melt into the swirls and adding that irresistible creaminess that ties every bite together perfectly.
How to Serve Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
While the creamy maple frosting is delightful on its own, consider sprinkling a little extra cinnamon or chopped toasted pecans on top for crunch and contrast. A dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds charm and signals a sweet treat ahead.
Side Dishes
Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls shine beautifully with a simple cup of spiced chai tea, hot coffee, or a splash of cold milk. If you want a wholesome breakfast, pair them with fresh fruit or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a balance of indulgence and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform a batch of these rolls into a stunning centerpiece at brunch by placing them in a rustic wooden tray lined with parchment paper. You can also serve individual rolls on pretty plates with a small ramekin of extra apple butter for dipping. For parties, pop the rolls in cute muffin tins for perfect grab-and-go portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover apple butter cinnamon rolls keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days. To preserve their softness, store them in an airtight container or wrapped in cling film. Avoid refrigeration if possible, as it can dry them out.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully either before or after baking. Wrap the unbaked rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. To freeze baked rolls, wrap them well and place in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Reheating
Reheat rolls gently in a warm oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or microwave individually for 20-30 seconds to regain that fresh-from-the-oven warmth. Adding a little extra frosting or warming a bit of apple butter on the side can revive their gooey goodness instantly.
FAQs
Can I make the dough by hand instead of a mixer?
Absolutely! Kneading by hand takes a bit more elbow grease and time, around 10-15 minutes, but it’s very doable. Just make sure your dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic to get those fluffy rolls.
What if I can’t find apple butter?
If apple butter isn’t available, you can substitute with smooth apple sauce combined with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon to mimic the flavor. Just keep it thick so it doesn’t soak into the dough too much.
How spicy are these cinnamon rolls?
The apple butter and cinnamon provide a warm, gentle spice that’s comforting but not overpowering. You can always adjust the cinnamon amount to suit your taste — add more if you love that classic cinnamon punch!
Can I prepare the rolls the night before?
Yes! Make the dough and assemble the rolls, then refrigerate them overnight after the second rise. Bake fresh in the morning for warm, fresh rolls without waking up early to do all the work.
Is the frosting necessary?
While delicious on its own, the maple cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch that adds a balance of sweetness and tang. However, you can enjoy the rolls plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar if you prefer less sweetness.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is a true delight that feels like a warm hug on a plate. With every bite, you get the perfect mix of soft dough, spiced apple butter, and that rich, maple-infused frosting. It’s an easy recipe that rewards you with smiles and happy bellies, so don’t hesitate to dive in and make your kitchen smell like heaven!
Print
Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls featuring a soft, fluffy dough layered with spiced apple butter and cinnamon sugar, then topped with a creamy maple cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat, these rolls combine comforting fall flavors with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 envelope active dry yeast (1 tablespoon)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Frosting
- 3/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prep: Gather all your ingredients. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading easier, but you can also do it by hand if necessary, keeping in mind it will take longer.
- Activate yeast: Combine yeast with 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a large measuring jug. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly and foamy. If the mixture remains flat, discard and start over.
- Add remaining liquids: Whisk the remaining milk, sugar, beaten eggs, and melted butter (added last to avoid killing the yeast) into the activated yeast mixture.
- Knead dough: In the stand mixer bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead on medium speed for 8-10 minutes until dough is soft, stretchy, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky until it forms a soft ball pulling away from the bowl.
- Let dough rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise at room temperature (or in a warm, off oven if kitchen is cool) for 45-60 minutes until doubled in size.
- Roll out and add filling: Punch down dough and roll it on a floured surface into an 18×12 inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread apple butter evenly, then sprinkle combined brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon on top, leaving a small border on one long edge for sealing.
- Assemble rolls: Roll dough jelly-roll style from the long edge and slice into 12 even pieces. Place rolls in a greased 9×13 inch pan. Cover and let rise again until puffy, about 20-30 minutes.
- Bake rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 18-25 minutes until golden and cooked through. If the tops brown too fast before the centers are set, tent with foil to prevent burning. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Spread frosting on warm rolls. Enjoy immediately or left over rolls cold the next day taste great as well!
Notes
- Ensure yeast is fresh and activated properly for good dough rise.
- Do not overbake rolls to avoid dryness; centers should be set but rolls remain soft.
- Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife for clean roll slicing without squashing.
- The cinnamon in the filling can be adjusted to taste; apple butter is already spiced so adjust accordingly.
- For a softer dough, don’t add too much flour; it should be slightly tacky but manageable.
- Keep butter slightly cooled before adding to yeast mixture to prevent killing yeast.
