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.

Apple cider cinnamon rolls in a pan.

These apple cider cinnamon rolls are the perfect way to start your day during Apple Cider Donut 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.

Close up of cinnamon roll.

Tips for making cinnamon rolls

Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe!

  • Tip 1: 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.
  • Tip 2: 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.
  • Tip 3: If you choose to roll your rolls immediately you can still chill them overnight. You then bake them in the morning the next morning.
Rolling out the dough.
Roll the dough out into a large rectangle. I usually do 15″ X 18 “.
Spreading the cinnamon filling on top of the dough.
Spread the cinnamon filling all the way to the edges.
Raw cinnamon rolls with heavy cream in pan.
These rolls get a cream bath. This lets the rolls absorb the cream, so they are soft throughout when they bake.
Baked cinnamon rolls in a pan.
Once they are done baking, they get brush with butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with an apple cider icing.
Bite missing from apple cider cinnamon rolls.

Save this Recipe!

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

For more apple recipes recipes, try my Apple Cinnamon Rolls and Apple Cider Donut Cake.

Top view of 9 cinnamon rolls.

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 Video

Apple cider cinnamon rolls in a pan.
5 from 2 reviews

Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls

Stephanie Rutherford
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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 43 minutes
Servings: 9 Large rolls

Ingredients
 
 

Apple Cider Dough

  • 1 cup Apple cider, reduced down to 1/2 cup
  • 1/2 cup Milk, warmed to 110℉
  • 2 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast, 1 packet
  • 2 Large eggs, lightly beaten room temperature
  • 4 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 10 TBSP Unsalted butter, cubed and room temperature

Cinnamon Filling

  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
  • 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream

Roll Topping

  • 1 TBSP Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 TBSP Apple cider
  • 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp Ground cinnamon

Apple Cider Glaze

  • 1 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 TBSP Apple cider

Instructions
 

Apple Cider Dough

  • In a saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the apple cider until it reduces down to 1/2 cup. Pour into a bowl and cool completely.
    1 cup Apple cider
  • Heat the milk in the microwave for 40 seconds until it is warmed to 110℉. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the milk and let it sit for 10 minutes.
    1/2 cup Milk, 2 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast
  • In a large bowl, sift the flour. Add the sugar and salt. Add in the cubed butter. Use a pastry kneader or your hands to knead the butter into the flour. Do this until the butter is the size of a pea.
    4 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/4 cup White granulated sugar, 1 tsp Salt, 10 TBSP Unsalted butter
  • Add in the apple cider, milk/yeast, and lightly beaten eggs. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook and mix on low speed until a dough starts to form. *For making by hand instructions see notes.
    2 Large eggs
  • Turn the mixer to medium speed and knead for 5 minutes. Spray a large mixing bowl with nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl.
  • For making right away: Preheat the oven to 200℉. Cover bowl with kitchen towel. Turn off the oven, place the bowl in the oven, and crack open the door. Let rise for 1 hour.
    For overnight: Cover bowl with foil or plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to rise overnight.

Cinnamon Filling

  • In a small bowl, beat the butter on high speed using a hand mixer. Add in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until the filling is soft.
    1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 3/4 cup Brown sugar, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon
  • Roll the dough out using a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Spread the filling using an offset spatula over the dough. Spread to the edges.
  • Roll into a log starting on the short side. Use a serrated knife to cut off the uneven ends. Cut the roll into 9 equal pieces.
  • Spray a 9X13-inch pan with baking nonstick spray. Place the rolls into the pan. Cover with a towel and let rise for 20 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375℉. Once the rolls are done rising, pour the heavy cream into the pan. Pour it around the rolls, it is okay if heavy gets on top of the roll.
    1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • Bake for 23-27 minutes. Bake until the top of the rolls are golden brown.
  • Let the rolls sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes.

Roll Topping and Glaze

  • Melt the butter and apple cider together. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Use a pastry brush to brush the butter on the top of the rolls. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top. Make sure they are very covered. We want more is more approach.
    1 TBSP Unsalted butter, 1 TBSP Apple cider, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar, 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • In a small bowl, sift the powdered sugar. Add in the apple cider and whisk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze on top of the rolls.
    1 cup Powdered sugar, 2 TBSP Apple cider

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the rolls. 
Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.
Making by hand:
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry by using a rubber spatula. Switch to using your hands to mix until a dough starts to form.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead using your hands for 5-8 minutes.
It is done when your spread the dough apart thinly using your fingers. Hold the dough to the light. If you can see light through it, then it is done.
Calories: 648kcal, Carbohydrates: 102g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 279mg, Potassium: 177mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 963IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 74mg, Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!