Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls

These apple cider cinnamon rolls have an apple cider dough and cinnamon filling. The rolls are baked in heavy cream, brushed with butter apple cider, topped with cinnamon sugar and apple cider glaze.

These apple cider cinnamon rolls are the perfect way to start your day during apple season. They taste like apple cider donuts fresh from a farm, but in cinnamon roll form. These cinnamon buns are soft and delicious and this might just be the BEST homemade cinnamon roll recipe.

For more cinnamon roll recipes, try Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls, Mini Cinnamon Rolls, and Cookie Dough Cinnamon Rolls.

Jump to:

• Why This Apple Cider Cinnamon Roll Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes for Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Step By Step Instructions - Apple Cider Dough and Cinnamon Filling
• Step By Step Instructions - Baking Apple Cider Rolls and Glaze
• Expert Baking Tips
• FAQ
• Recipe Variations
• Special Tools
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why This Apple Cider Cinnamon Roll Recipe Works

• Apple cider flavor- The lovely apple flavor is perfect for when the apple orchards are making fresh apple cider.
• Cinnamon sugar coating- The cinnamon sugar coating adds a great texture and flavor like apple cider donuts.
• Prep ahead- You can start these homemade cinnamon rolls the night before you want to eat them and finish the bake the next day! Just follow the overnight instructions for the dough rise.

Ingredient Notes for Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter- Pull the butter out 2 hours before using so it is softened butter.
• Milk- Use any milk and warm it to 110F. If too hot, it will kill the yeast, if too cool then it will dramatically slow the yeast down.
• Active dry yeast- I used 1 packet of yeast. This is the same thing as instant yeast. Do not use fast rise yeast.
• Eggs- Pull the eggs out 2 hours before baking. They also need to be lightly beaten before adding to the flour.
• Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar, but dark is fine.
• Powdered sugar- Sift this before use to avoid gritty icing.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
• Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.

Step By Step Instructions - Apple Cider Dough and Cinnamon Filling

Here is how to make the dough and filling for these apple cider cinnamon rolls.

STEP 1: Reduce apple cider. Heat the apple cider in a small saucepan on a stove over medium-high heat until ½ cup remains. Pour it into a bowl to cool.

STEP 2: Activate yeast. Heat the milk in the microwave for about 40 seconds until it is 110°F. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 10 minutes.

STEP 3: Knead butter. Sift the all purpose flour into a large bowl and add the sugar and salt. Add the cubed butter and knead it with a pastry kneader or your hands until the butter lumps are the size of a pea.

STEP 4: Form dough. Add the apple cider, yeast and milk mixture, and lightly beaten eggs to the flour mixture. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to mix on low speed until a dough forms. If kneading by hand see the recipe notes instead.

STEP 5: Knead dough. Turn the mixer up to medium speed to knead for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, spray a mixing bowl with nonstick spray. When it is done kneading, place dough in the bowl.

STEP 6: First rise. If you want to make the rolls right away, preheat the oven to 200°F and place a kitchen towel over the bowl. Turn off the oven and place the bowl inside with the oven door cracked open for 1 hour.

Otherwise, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge overnight.

STEP 7: Cinnamon filling. Beat the butter using a small bowl and a hand mixer on high speed. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Continue beating it until the filling is soft.

Step By Step Instructions - Baking Apple Cider Rolls and Glaze

Here is how to make and bake the apple cider rolls and glaze.

STEP 1: Roll dough. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin. Roll it into a large rectangle ¼ inch thick.

STEP 2: Spread filling. Use an offset spatula to spread the filling over the dough all the way to the edges.

STEP 3: Roll log. Roll the dough into a log starting on the short side of the rectangle. Slice any uneven ends off with a serrated sharp knife, then cut the log into 9 equal pieces.

STEP 4: Second rise. Spray a 9X13 pan with baking spray and place the rolls inside. Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 20 minutes.

STEP 5: Prep rolls. Preheat the oven to 375°F. When the rolls are done rising, pour heavy cream into the pan with them. Don't pour it around the rolls, but it is okay if some gets on top of them.

STEP 6: Bake. Bake the rolls for 23-27 minutes. They are done when the tops are golden brown.

Let the rolls sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes before topping them.

STEP 7: Cinnamon sugar topping. Melt the butter and apple cider together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together. Brush the melted butter on top of the rolls with a pastry brush. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top in a thick coat.

STEP 8: Apple cider glaze. Sift the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add the apple cider and whisk until smooth. Drizzle this glaze on top of the rolls.

Expert Baking Tips

• Properly measure your flour- Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup directly into the flour, it will compact the flour giving you too much flour.
• Make sure your yeast is fresh. If you use expired yeast or if you put it in too hot or too cold milk it will not activate properly preventing a proper rise.
• If you choose to roll your rolls immediately you can still chill them overnight. You then bake them in the morning the next morning.

FAQ

Recipe Variations

• Cream cheese glaze- Instead of the apple cider glaze you can substitute in a classic cream cheese frosting. See this Mini Cinnamon Rolls recipe for cream cheese glaze instructions.
• No cinnamon sugar- You can skip the apple cider butter and cinnamon sugar glaze and simply use the apple cider glaze on top if you prefer.

Special Tools

• Baking spray: I use the nonstick spray that has flour in it.
• Offset spatula: I use this to easily spread the frosting or fillings.
• 9X13 pan- I love using a casserole pan instead of a normal baking pan.
• Rolling pin- You can use any rolling pin you have!

Storing and Freezing

Store these apple cider cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge. Store up to 5 days. They are best when heated in the microwave until warm.

These apple cider cinnamon rolls can be frozen in 2 ways.

1. Freeze the rolled rolls. Freeze these up to 30 days. Let them thaw before baking. They won't rise as much, but will still work.
2. Freeze the already baked rolls. Freeze these up to 30 days. Thaw for 1 hour before eating.

Other Apple Recipes To Try

Try these fall recipes too!

• Reese's Cup Peanut Butter Cookies
• Pumpkin Caramel Cookies
• Sticky Buns
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cherry Pie Bars

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe