This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Did you know … that baking and laundry are made for each other? It’s like a dance with two completely different partners. Mix up your dough and set aside for the first rise. While it rests you can sort the clothes and start the first load. In between you may need to let the dogs out to go potty, then back in again because somebody won’t stop barking. Put a load of clothes in the dryer and start another in the wash, then head back to the risen dough. Both are “hurry up and wait” projects … wait for the washer to stop washing, wait for the dryer and wait for the dough to rise. On a rainy weekend in October, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. (Maybe not so much the laundry) If you time it just right, you’ll dance from one task to the next, neither being difficult, but necessary for clean dry clothes and fully risen, puffy, tender homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Cider Glaze.
There’s no need to go overboard with sugar in this recipe. Eliminating over-the-top sweetness let’s the pure apple flavor come through. These have just the right amount of everything, kid tested and approved.
For our young bakers – this would be a great first “yeast” recipe to take for a spin. It really is a dream to work with, and a less than perfect cut or swirl won’t bother any of your lucky recipients. The filling is made into a paste of sugar, butter and lots of cinnamon. Spread the filling on the dough and sprinkle with diced fresh apple. Cut and place in the pan then it’s time for another rise … and another load of laundry!
Apple cider and confectioners’ sugar makes a simple delicious glaze. Add more sugar for a thicker icing or more cider for a thinner glaze.
Bake in an 13×9 inch baking dish or two 8″ or 9″ cake pans. Whatever you have will work for these rolls. Now that all your chores are done (never!) it’s time for a nice cup of tea and a warm Apple Cinnamon Roll. Enjoy!
Don’t forget to PIN to your favorite Baking Board!
- 1/4 ounce Active Dry Yeast (1 package)
- 1/2 cup warm water, about 95 degrees F on an instant read thermometer
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, more or less depending on the humidity
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for buttering pans
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for dusting the pan
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 of a large Granny Smith Apple, peeled, cored and sliced thin, cut into small pieces
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4-5 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice, more or less for desired consistency
- dash of cinnamon
- In a small bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Set aside for about 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the milk, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, salt and egg. Blend by hand with a rubber spatula until combined. Add two cups of the flour and turn the mixer on low and blend until all the flour is incorporated. Add the yeast and continue mixing until incorporated. Add another 1 cup of the flour and continue to mix until blended. Add 1/2 cup of flour plus more if needed to make a soft dough that is just a little sticky. Turn the mixer on medium-low and knead for about 5 minutes or until you have a smooth dough. Add a tablespoon of flour if needed to help clean the sides of the bowl. Don't add too much flour or the rolls will be dry.
- Place the dough in a clean, well oiled bowl and turn to cover the dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and move to a warm location free from drafts (I use my microwave as a proofing oven with the task light on for warmth). Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size - about 1 1/2 hours.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Combine 1/3 cup of softened butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Combine to form a paste. Set aside.
- Lightly butter two 8 or 9" cake pans then sprinkle the bottom lightly with sugar. Coarse sugar would be great if you have it. Set aside.
- Dice and slice the apple and toss with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Set aside.
- When the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down and turn out onto a clean floured work surface. Roll the dough into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling all over the dough leaving a 1/2-inch border on the 15-inch side. Sprinkle the diced apples over the filling. Roll the dough up beginning on the 15-inch side with filling. Lightly dampen the 1/2-inch border with water using you finger. This will help the roll seal. Cut the roll in half, then each piece in half again. Cut each 1/4th section into 3 equal size rolls. Place the rolls cut side up in the prepared pan (6 in each pan).
- Move the rolls to a warm location free from drafts and allow them to rise for 60 minutes or until doubled in size and puffy. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake the rolls for 20 minutes or until nicely browned.
- Mix the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over warm rolls. Serve immediately. Refrigerate left over rolls.
Dough recipe adapted from Paula Dean
I just love this time of year. Our trees here in Virginia are just about at peak color. The remnants of hurricane Patricia are coming our way so we’ll have plenty of rain the next few days. Hope it’s beautiful where you are! Have a great week and thanks so much for stopping by!~
Tricia
Laura says
September 30, 2018 at 1:43 pmHi,
Thanks for this yummy recipe, I made them this morning and they are scrumptious!!
I made 2 little changes, subbed apple cider for the warm water in the dough and used 2 apples peeled and shredded for the filling.
Tricia Buice says
September 30, 2018 at 1:55 pmThanks Laura – I love your changes – great feedback! And thanks for trying our recipe.
2 Sisters Recipes by Anna and Liz says
November 4, 2015 at 2:03 pmOH my GOODNess !! We love this recipe! !! Who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls ? And I love the fact your partnered the dough with laundry! You are hilarious Tricia ! Hope you had a good Halloween weekend!
xo
Tricia Buice says
November 4, 2015 at 6:10 pmHaha – thanks Anna!
Mandy says
November 4, 2015 at 4:44 amYour kitchen must smell heavenly all the time! Would love a cup of tea with one of these lovely cinnamom rolls.
Have a super day Tricia.
🙂 Mandy xo
Sheena @Tea and Biscuits says
November 3, 2015 at 8:03 pmI love cinnamon rolls, also on my list to make! Yours look particularly tasty, thanks for sharing 🙂
Tricia Buice says
November 3, 2015 at 9:11 pmThank you Sheena!
ZazaCook says
October 31, 2015 at 3:13 pmAbsolutely scrumptious! I can imagine how amazing the awesome baking aroma coming out from your kitchen.
Tricia Buice says
October 31, 2015 at 5:24 pmI just love baking! And they do smell wonderful 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Dom says
October 30, 2015 at 5:39 pmI love the apple in these, it’s such a celebration of the season. They’re so beautiful x
Tricia Buice says
October 31, 2015 at 10:18 amThank you Dom 🙂
Pam says
October 30, 2015 at 3:34 pmThese are perfect little cinnamon rolls and I’d let the dogs in and out and do laundry any day for these! I can imagine the great aroma while baking!
Tricia Buice says
October 30, 2015 at 5:35 pmThanks Pam! Have a wonderful weekend!
Gerlinde/Sunnycovechef says
October 30, 2015 at 1:04 amTricia, I love this post and I will make the cinnamon rolls when I’m in my cabin.
Tricia Buice says
October 30, 2015 at 7:40 amThanks Gerlinde – hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
October 29, 2015 at 10:41 pmThese would be worth doing laundry for! One question? Do you really use vinegar in the glaze? I’ve never seen that and was just curious! Love cinnamon rolls though of any kind! I bet you made a lot of folks very happy!
Tricia Buice says
October 30, 2015 at 7:38 amAbbe thank you! I made a boo-boo – that’s what I get for trying to write at night 🙁 Have a great weekend and thanks!
Susan says
October 29, 2015 at 11:03 amOh my, these look so tempting and delicious. Since I am all about apples these days I know I’ll be making them soon – with our without laundry chores at the same time 🙂
Tricia Buice says
October 29, 2015 at 12:18 pmHaha Susan – When I make these again, I may try shredding the apples on a large box grater and use the whole apple. Always thinking about changing recipes 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend with very few chores. Laundry is forever!
cheri says
October 28, 2015 at 8:35 pmHi Tricia, you make baking these rolls and doing the laundry sound like a day made in heaven. Hope dealing with Patricia is minimal. Take care!
P.S. making these with my daughter when they visit. Thanks!
Tricia Buice says
October 29, 2015 at 12:21 pmThanks so much Cheri – the storm passed on through and didn’t give us much at all – so that’s a good thing! Hope you enjoy making these with your daughter. Less sugar makes all the difference – you can actually taste the apple and the yeasty, soft dough. Have a lovely weekend.
Becky Green says
October 28, 2015 at 3:46 pmOh, Tricia!!!! We LOOOOVE cinnamon rolls here!!! With the apples & cider, I’M SURE they’re HEAVENLY!!!! ;p YUUUUM!!!! These ARE BEAUTIFUL DAYS here too!!! Rainy, but BEAUTIFUL!!!! 😉 (I made your Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits last night! My husband LOOOOVED IT!!! ) THANK YOU! 😉
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:22 pmAww thanks Becky – so happy your husband liked the Chicken Pot Pie. My son LOVED it and said it was the best thing I’ve ever made – maybe he’s just being sweet but after years of being a taste tester I have found him to be pretty honest 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Monique says
October 28, 2015 at 3:31 pmAnother Tricia Pin:)
Lovely..rolls..cozy comfy..I would rather bake than do laundry..unless there’s a new product I am using;)
Shouldn’t complain I only do mine and hosuehold things..
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:21 pmThese made wonderful gifts Monique – I could not have them in the house for long! If I never had to do laundry again, I wouldn’t miss it. But I would miss baking very much if I could never make another loaf or bun 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
October 28, 2015 at 3:28 pmThose apple cinnamon rolls look bakery perfect, Tricia.
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:19 pmThanks Angie – I really love to bake 🙂
Bonnie Hunter says
October 28, 2015 at 3:10 pmOh my! These look delicious!! Apple cider is perfect this time of year. You said your trees in Virginia? I believe that I’ve forgotten that’s where you live. I’m originally from Virginia and return for a week each autumn because it is my favorite time. Because of our recent move, I didn’t make the trip this month. We have lovely color here but it doesn’t compare to there in my (native) opinion.
Best,
Bonnie
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:18 pmWe are in Virginia Bonnie about 10 years now – halfway between Richmond and DC. The colors have been lovely lately so I hope the weather cooperates and we have a beautiful fall! Thanks so much for stopping by!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
October 28, 2015 at 12:47 pmLove cinnamon rolls! Who doesn’t? Love the addition of the apple, and that glaze looks so neat. But do I have to wait until laundry day to make this? 😉 Super recipe, gorgeous photos — thanks.
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:17 pmHey John! It’s so great to have your back – still waiting to hear all about your trip 🙂 I don’t let my husband do laundry, he is not allowed – but if you do laundry instead of Mrs. Riffs then my hat is off to her! So bake away – no need to wait on dirty clothes 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
October 28, 2015 at 10:24 amWhat a delicious reward for getting the laundry done!! I think with my hot cocoa and your buns we could have quite a Wednesday morning feast — these look like the ultimate cinnamon buns to me 🙂
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:15 pmYour hot cocoa looks fantastic Sue! I’d guess I would be in big trouble if I got a treat everytime I did laundry 🙂 We sure generate a lot of dirty clothes for just two people!
Monica says
October 28, 2015 at 8:54 amI absolutely agree about laundry and baking, Tricia! haha. It’s a rainy, dark day here and I’m planning to bake and I think I’ll do a load of laundry while I’m at it. And these cinnamon rolls…they look perfect. The fluffy tenderness of them is easy to see. I’ve really come to love cinnamon rolls (maybe too much) and I’m trying to get my husband to taste-test some new fillings but somehow, we always end up with chocolate. : ) This apple filling is just perfect for these autumn days.
Tricia Buice says
October 28, 2015 at 7:13 pmHaha – laundry is such fun! Baking is better – and your cinnamon rolls are always gorgeous!