How to Make Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Fall Breakfast Treat

Have you ever wished you could capture the flavor of fall in one perfect bite?

If you have, then these Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls are exactly what you’ve been looking for. Imagine soft, fluffy rolls filled with sweet, spiced apple butter and brown sugar, baked until golden, and topped with creamy icing that melts right in. These rolls bring together everything we love about fall—warm spices, apples, and cozy mornings—into one irresistible treat. Whether you’re making them for a weekend brunch, a special family breakfast, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Let’s explore how to make these bakery-style Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls right at home.

Overview

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These Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting taste of homemade cinnamon rolls with the rich sweetness of apple butter. They’re soft, gooey, and bursting with autumn spice. The recipe takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours total, including rising and baking time, but the hands-on work is only around 30 minutes.

It’s a moderate-level recipe, perfect for home bakers who want to impress without stress. If you’ve ever made simple yeast dough before, you’ll find this process fun and rewarding. Even beginners can handle it with a few helpful tips, which we’ll cover in detail below.

These rolls are perfect for cozy breakfasts, holiday mornings, or anytime you want to fill your kitchen with that comforting cinnamon-apple aroma.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the perfect Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already.

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast – Helps the dough rise and become fluffy.
• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F) – Activates the yeast. You can use whole milk or any milk alternative like almond or oat milk.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted – Gives richness and softness. Substitute with plant-based butter if desired.
• 1 large egg – Helps bind the dough and adds structure.
• 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Forms the dough. Bread flour can also be used for a chewier texture.
• ½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness.

For the Filling:

• ¾ cup apple butter – The star ingredient! Adds deep apple flavor and moisture. Store-bought or homemade both work well.
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed – Enhances the sweetness and gives a caramelized flavor.
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and spice.
• 2 tablespoons softened butter – Helps the filling stick to the dough and adds richness.

For the Icing:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened – Makes the frosting creamy and tangy.
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened – Adds smoothness and richness.
• 1 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the icing perfectly.
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream – Adjust for consistency.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds that classic bakery flavor.

Optional Add-Ins and Substitutions:

• Chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Maple syrup or caramel drizzle instead of icing for a twist.
• Pumpkin butter can replace apple butter for a fall variation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s go through the process of making these irresistible rolls step by step.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means the yeast is active and ready to go.

Tip: If your yeast doesn’t foam, your milk may have been too hot or your yeast expired. Start over with fresh ingredients.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter, and egg. Add the yeast mixture and mix until combined. Gradually add in flour and salt, about one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.

Once it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Tip: The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it sticks to your hands, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s easy to handle.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Tip: If your kitchen is cool, preheat your oven to 150°F for a minute, then turn it off and place the bowl inside to rise.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare your delicious filling.
In a small bowl, mix together the apple butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until smooth. This will be your sweet, spiced filling that makes the rolls irresistible.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 14×9 inches. Spread the apple butter mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 6: Roll and Slice

Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 even rolls.

Tip: Dental floss gives you clean slices without squishing the dough.

Step 7: Second Rise

Place the rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes, or until puffy. This second rise gives the rolls that soft, bakery-style texture.

Step 8: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Tip: Check them at the 25-minute mark. You want them lightly golden on top but still soft inside.

Assembly: Adding the Icing

Once baked, allow the rolls to cool slightly for about 10 minutes. Then, spread the cream cheese icing generously over the warm rolls so it melts into all the nooks and crannies.

For the icing, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust the milk for your desired consistency—thick for a spread or thinner for a drizzle.

Presentation Tip: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon or drizzle caramel sauce on top before serving.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Storing:

• Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.

Make-Ahead:

• Prepare the rolls the night before, cover the unbaked pan tightly, and refrigerate overnight.
• In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes before baking.

Freezing:

• Freeze baked rolls (without icing) for up to 2 months. Reheat and add fresh icing before serving.

Recipe Variations

1. Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls:
   Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for a nutty crunch.
2. Caramel Apple Rolls:
   Drizzle caramel sauce over the baked rolls for a gooey, indulgent treat.
3. Pumpkin Spice Rolls:
   Substitute apple butter with pumpkin butter and add a pinch of nutmeg and cloves.
4. Glazed Apple Cinnamon Rolls:
   Skip the cream cheese frosting and drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze instead.
5. Maple Frosted Rolls:
   Replace vanilla in the icing with maple syrup for extra fall flavor.

Conclusion

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls are more than just breakfast—they’re a cozy fall experience wrapped in sweet, spiced dough. Every bite is soft, buttery, and full of warm apple-cinnamon flavor. Whether you’re serving them fresh out of the oven on a chilly morning or as a weekend brunch treat, they’ll fill your kitchen with that nostalgic aroma everyone loves this time of year.

Once you make them, you’ll realize how rewarding homemade cinnamon rolls can be. So grab that jar of apple butter, roll up your sleeves, and create a treat your whole family will look forward to every fall.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought apple butter?
Yes! Store-bought apple butter works perfectly. Just choose one with real apple and spice flavor for the best result.

2. What can I use instead of apple butter?
You can use pumpkin butter, pear butter, or even applesauce thickened with cinnamon and sugar.

3. Can I make these without yeast?
Yeast gives these rolls their soft texture, but you can make a biscuit-style version using baking powder if you prefer a quicker method.

4. How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
The tops should be golden brown, and the centers should look set (not doughy).

5. Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes. Prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

6. Are these cinnamon rolls freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Freeze baked rolls without icing, then thaw and warm before adding fresh frosting.

7. What makes apple butter special in this recipe?
Apple butter adds rich apple flavor, natural sweetness, and keeps the rolls moist without needing too much sugar or butter.

8. How can I make them healthier?
Use whole wheat flour for part of the dough, reduce the sugar slightly, and try a light glaze instead of cream cheese frosting.

These Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls bring together everything we love about homemade baking—comfort, sweetness, and the joy of sharing something delicious. Once you taste them warm from the oven, you’ll see why they’re the ultimate fall breakfast indulgence.