these apple cinnamon rolls are fluffy, soft, and perfect for fall. topped with a vegan cream cheese brown sugar frosting, you are sure to love.
the inspiration
A few years ago I shared an ebook and I did a recipe for Apple Cinnamon Rolls. I really liked how those came out but wanted to perfect the recipe further. So here we are with an even better version of that recipe.
I also knew I wanted to do a brown sugar frosting on top as apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar just go so well together. Of course during fall we are all ready to slow down a bit and get into some fun baking.
This recipe is great for afternoon snacking or even fun fall get together brunches. So, grab those apples from apple picking and let’s get baking.
the ingredients
- Apple: you can use any apples you like for this recipe. Some people prefer Granny Smith apples for baking. I personally made this with Honeycrisp apples and it was delicious.
- All Purpose Flour: we need all purpose flour of course to make our dough. You can also use bread flour. I have not tried this recipe with a gluten free all purpose flour but it should work out okay.
- Non-Dairy Milk: you can use any unflavored and unsweetened non-dairy milk you like. I used Ripple pea protein milk.
- Vegan Cream Cheese: we will need vegan cream cheese to make the frosting. There are many great vegan cream cheese recipes out there. I also have a recipe on the blog as well for a homemade one. I used Violife but I like Kite Hill and Tofutti as well.
- Organic Powdered Sugar: we will use this in the frosting recipe.
- Organic Brown Sugar: we will use this in the frosting and to cook the apples.
- Organic Cane Sugar: we will use this in the apple cinnamon roll dough.
- Vegan Butter: we need to use vegan butter in the dough, on top of the dough, and in the frosting. I used the Country Crock Olive Oil Plant Butter.
- Salt: we do want to add some salt into our dough to balance out the flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: we will use this in the dough and in cooking the apples.
- Ground Nutmeg: we will use this when we cook the apples.
- Ground Cinnamon: we will use it for cooking the apples and in the apple cinnamon rolls of course.
- Active/Instant Yeast: you can use either active yeast or instant yeast for this recipe. It will create our rise in our apple cinnamon rolls.
read before proceeding with the apple cinnamon rolls
This blog post will go very in depth. Please read it carefully and thoroughly before making so you end up with the best apple cinnamon rolls. They are not hard to make but there are just a few steps.
So, I would kindly ask for you to read everything as I am tried to be as clear as possible with pictures. Also, if you need any further help you can watch the video in the recipe card.
cooking the apples
- Peel the apple. Cut the sides of the apple away from the core.
- Chop the apples into very small pieces.
- Cook the apples on the stove with ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, organic brown sugar, and water.
- It will take about 30 minutes for them to soften.
making the dough
You can either make this apple cinnamon roll dough by hand or in a stand-mixer. I personally like making dough by hand better as it allows me to feel the dough. I can sense if it is too wet or too dry.
- Add all the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
- If using active dry yeast activate the yeast with warm non-dairy milk.
- Add the wet ingredients into the bowl.
- Mix the dough with a spoon or a spatula until it forms a shaggy dough.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it forms a smooth ball.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
making the apple cinnamon rolls
Once the apples are done cooking and the dough is made you are ready to put them together! Making the apple cinnamon rolls is so easy and so much fun.
- Spread softened vegan butter out over the dough.
- Sprinkle the organic brown sugar over top.
- Then, top with ground cinnamon.
- Finally, add the apples overtop. Distribute the as evenly as possible.
- Carefully, use a rolling pin to roll the dough up to form the classic cinnamon roll swirl.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the log of dough in half.
- Then, cut the half in half. Finally, cut those halves into thirds. This will end up with 6 pieces per log.
- Place the cinnamon rolls in a 9 x 12 baking dish.
- Cover the cinnamon rolls and let them rise for 1 hour. I like to let them rise in my turned off oven.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
Cutting Tip!
While I didn’t do this, mostly because I am lazy, you can use unflavored dental floss to slice your cinnamon rolls. All you need to do is slide if under the cinnamon roll log, then bring it over the top, and pull down to slice. People like doing this as it keeps the cinnamon rolls in a nicer circle shape.
the brown sugar vegan cream cheese frosting
I knew I wanted these apple cinnamon rolls to have a fun frosting. Brown sugar sounded just absolutely amazing. I knew it was taste delicious with the apples and spices.
First, you will want either a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this recipe. When using the stand mixer I like to ues the paddle attachment. It is important because it helps to whip up the frosting better. You will first just mix and combine the vegan butter and vegan cream cheese. Let it turn light and fluffy.
Then, you will add in the sugars and vanilla extract. Continue to mix the frosting on a high speed for around 3 to 5 minutes until it turns light in color. The flavor is so delicious and it will be hard to resist just eating it right away.
when should you frost the cinnamon rolls?
You want to let the cinnamon rolls cool for at least 30 minutes before you even think about adding any of the frosting. If you add it right away the frosting will just melt right off.
After 30 minutes the cinnamon rolls will have cooled enough but still be warm. Thus, resulting in the frosting melting a little bit and being so delicious.
why you’ll love this recipe
Of course there are many reasons to love cinnamon rolls! I mean hello, fluffy and soft little bites of heaven. But what I love about this recipe is even though there are many components to making these apple cinnamon rolls nothing is hard to make. You just have to set aside some time.
Everyone I shared these with really enjoyed them. It is also great because vegan baked goods are perfect to share with everyone because you aren’t risking if anyone has a dairy allergy.
more fall recipes
vegan apple cinnamon rolls faq
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container on your counter. They will last for up to 4 days on the counter. You can also place in the fridge for up to 6 days. I would not recommend freezing them.
Yes! All you need to do is first use the paddle attachment to mix the dry ingredients. Then, you will use it to mix the wet ingredients. Once it turns into a shaggy dough, use the dough hook attachment to knead it until it turns smooth.
It does not contain any nuts. It does contain gluten and depending on the substitutes you use may contain soy.
You can either do it in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never made overnight cinnamon rolls myself, so I don’t want to steer you the wrong way. If you search for “overnight cinnamon rolls” on Google, you’ll find some great step-by-step guides and tips. The process should be pretty similar to the regular method, just adjusted for the overnight rise.
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Vegan Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1 medium-sized apple of choice around 6.5 ounces
- 1 tablespoon organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup water
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons organic sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter melted
- 1 packet active or instant yeast 2 ¼ teaspoon
- ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 2 ½ tablespoons vegan butter softened
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces vegan cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter softened
- ¼ cup organic powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Apple Filling
- Peel the apple, then cut the sides away from the core. Chop into very small pieces.
- In a pan over high heat, cook the apples with ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, organic brown sugar, and water for 15 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 15 minutes, until the apples soften (about 30 minutes total).
Making the Dough
- If using active dry yeast, activate it in warm non-dairy milk. If using instant yeast, add it directly to the dry ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add melted vegan butter and the milk/yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead for 5 minutes, until smooth.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 x 15 inches and ¼ inch thick.
Assemble the Rolls
- Spread softened vegan butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle with brown sugar, then ground cinnamon.
- Distribute the cooked apples evenly on top.
- Starting from a long side, roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Slice the log in half, then cut each half in half, and finally cut each section into thirds, giving 6 rolls per log.
Proof the Rolls
- Place rolls in a 9 x 12-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour (a turned-off oven is a good spot).
Bake the Rolls
- With 15 minutes left in rise time, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). If proofing in the oven, remove rolls before preheating.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown.
Make the Frosting
- In a stand mixer (with paddle attachment) or with a hand mixer, beat vegan butter and vegan cream cheese for 1 minute, until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Beat on high speed for 3–5 minutes, until pale and creamy.
Cool and Glaze
- Let rolls cool for 30 minutes.
- Spread frosting on top, then serve and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- Please do not repost recipes without my permission. Sharing a direct link is always highly encouraged and appreciated.
- For any questions you may have please refer to the FAQ above the recipe card and read the whole blog post.
Nutrition
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hey there!
Hey, I’m Francesca!
Thank you for checking out my recipe! I am happy to have you here and hope you explore more delicious vegan recipes.
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