Apple-Filled Cinnamon Rolls

Okay, so these cinnamon rolls were basically born on my girls’ trip to Vermont. We had one of those perfectly cozy weekends — the kind where you wake up in a little cottage, drink hot cider before 10am, and somehow justify eating apple cider donuts every day because “it’s fall.” We went apple picking at this tiny orchard, took 400 photos pretending we lived there full-time, and obviously brought home way too many apples.

Fast-forward to me unpacking my suitcase back home and finding apples rolling around between my sweaters. Naturally, I grabbed my MacKenzie-Childs baking dish (linking here because she’s the moment) and made these apple-filled cinnamon rolls. The whole kitchen instantly smelled like Vermont — warm cinnamon, sweet apples, cozy cottage vibes… you get it.

These rolls taste like that weekend: soft, gooey, warm, a little nostalgic, and very “let’s stay inside and bake something cute.” They’re perfect if you love cottagecore baking, Pinterest-worthy fall recipes, or if you just want to recreate that cozy Vermont feeling without leaving your house. These cinnamon rolls bring all the cozy fall energy — soft, gooey, and filled with sweet cinnamon apples inspired by my girls’ trip to Vermont. After spending the morning wandering through an orchard, sipping cider, and pretending we lived in a little Vermont cottage forever, I came home and baked these in my MacKenzie-Childs dish. And honestly? They tasted like the whole trip wrapped into one warm swirl.

They’re nostalgic, comforting, and ridiculously good. Perfect for fall weekends, cozy mornings, brunch with friends, or anytime you want your house to smell like you’ve been living in a Pinterest cottagecore dream.

Why You’ll Love These Apple-Filled Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are basically a Vermont cottage weekend in dessert form. The dough is soft and pillowy, the filling is packed with warm cinnamon apples, and the whole thing feels like something you’d bake on a slow Sunday in a little cabin somewhere.

They’re:

• Soft and gooey

• Loaded with warm cinnamon apples

• Perfect for fall baking

• Overnight-friendly

• Aesthetic enough for Pinterest

• Cozy cottagecore perfection

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Ingredients

Dough

¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

• ¼ cup cane sugar

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1 egg yolk, room temperature

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

Apple Filling

• 2 medium apples, peeled and diced

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch

Cinnamon Sugar Layer

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• ¼ cup softened butter

Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast:

   • Combine ¾ cup warm milk, ¼ cup cane sugar, and 2¼ teaspoons yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Make the Dough:

   • Add 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, and ¼ cup melted butter.

   • Add 3 cups flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Knead 5–7 minutes.

3. First Rise:

   • Place dough in a greased bowl.

   • Rise 1–1½ hours or overnight in the fridge.

4. Make the Apple Filling:

   • Cook 2 diced apples with 2 tbsp butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp lemon juice, then thicken with 1 tbsp flour/cornstarch.

5. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar:

   • Mix ½ cup brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon.

6. Roll Out the Dough:

   • Roll dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle. Spread ¼ cup softened butter, add cinnamon sugar and apple filling.

7. Roll & Slice:

   • Roll tightly and slice into 12 rolls.

8. Second Rise

   • Place in a greased 9x13 pan. Rise 30–45 minutes.

9. Bake:

   • Drizzle 2–3 tbsp warm heavy cream over rolls. Bake at 350°F for 23–28 minutes.

10. Glaze:

    • Mix the glaze ingredients and spread over warm rolls.

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Tips for Success

• Let the apple filling cool fully

• Use bread flour for extra fluffiness

• Don’t overbake

• Use the heavy cream trick

• Dough should be soft and slightly tacky

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead?

Yes — assemble, refrigerate overnight, bake in the morning.

Can I freeze them?

Yes — freeze before or after baking. Thaw overnight, bake as usual.

Why did they turn out dry?

Usually from overbaking or using too much flour. Use heavy cream and pull earlier next time.

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More Recipes You’ll Love

• Rosemary Sourdough

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Save, Share & Enjoy

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