Get ready to indulge in sticky-sweet deliciousness with our Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls! These delectable treats are packed with sweetness, baked to fluffy, golden perfection, and dripping with caramel goodness.

Serve these rolls up warm for the ultimate addition to your holiday breakfast spread, weekend brunch, or any occasion that calls for a touch of decadence!

a plate with apple caramel cinnamon rolls

Why You’ll Love These Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is inspired by one of our most popular dishes of all time, our slow cooker apple cinnamon rolls. You all have been asking us for an oven-baked version since it came out, and we’re finally delivering. Featuring all the same flavor and tender, gooey texture, this recipe is pure perfection and unbelievably easy to make! Even better, these cinnamon rolls: 

  • Come together with 7 ingredients
  • Bake in one dish
  • Taste decadent and delicious
  • Are easy enough for a weekday treat yet fancy enough for special occasions
  • Make a huge batch, perfect for hungry crowds
overhead image of baked apple caramel cinnamon rolls

Ingredients You’ll Need

For these apple caramel cinnamon rolls, we use a shortcut ingredient or two to make them unbelievably simple. Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • Cinnamon Rolls – This is our secret to creating almost homemade cinnamon rolls with ease! We love Grands cinnamon rolls, but whatever you like best can be used. 
  • Butter – This forms the base of the caramel sauce, creating a rich flavor.
  • Heavy Cream – Used to help enhance the flavor of the sauce and create a loose texture for pouring. 
  • Brown Sugar – Make sure you use brown sugar instead of regular sugar! It helps keep the caramel moist. 
  • Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract makes a world of difference in the taste of your caramel. 
  • Salt – Just a dash amplifies the flavors, for the sweetest, most delicious apple taste! 
  • Apples – We recommend using red baking apples like Gala or Fuji for a sweet flavor and slightly crisp texture. 

How to Make Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

Unlike our original recipe that cooks for a length of time in the slow cooker, this version bakes in the oven in nearly no time when you follow the instructions below!  

  1. Prepare the Cinnamon Rolls. Slice your cinnamon roll dough into quarters, and arrange ½ of them in an even layer in the bottom of a baking dish
  2. Add the Apples. Slice and peel your apples. Then, chop them into bite-sized cubes, and sprinkle them on top of the cinnamon rolls. 
  3. Prepare the Caramel. Melt the butter, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking to combine. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer. 
  4. Layer. Pour ½ of the caramel over the cinnamon roll mixture, and arrange the remaining dough on top. Pour the rest of the caramel evenly over the dish. 
  5. Bake. Place the cinnamon rolls in the oven until they’re fluffy and golden brown. 

Baking Tips

Use the Right Pot. You’ll want to use a large, heavy-bottomed pot to create your caramel. Small or shallow pots can cause the caramel to cook unevenly and burn. Also, make sure it’s light in color so you can see when the caramel becomes darker.  

Avoid Overheating the Caramel. Be sure to reduce the heat quickly, and let the caramel simmer for just a few minutes until it darkens and becomes thicker. If you cook it too long or on too high of a heat, the caramel will scorch and won’t taste great. 

Don’t Overbake. You’ll know your cinnamon rolls are done when they’re fluffy and golden brown on top! They should feel soft yet firm in the center when touched and have an internal temperature between 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How to Store

These apple caramel cinnamon rolls are great to make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week. However, you’re probably going to want to make a double batch, because they disappear quickly! If you do have leftovers, follow the storage tips below to keep them fresh. 

Room Temperature: Once cooled, your cinnamon rolls can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in a cool dry palace for up to 3 days

Refrigerator: For a longer-lasting option, keep your apple caramel cinnamon rolls in the fridge for up to 5 days

Freezer: Freeze your cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months

Reheat: When you’re ready to eat, thaw your leftovers in the fridge overnight. Then, warm them in the oven or microwave until you reach the desired temperature. 

overhead image of a dish full of layered baked apple caramel cinnamon rolls

Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls Common Questions

What’s the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns? 

Although similar, cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns aren’t quite the same things. You see, cinnamon rolls are typically baked on a baking sheet and topped with a tangy cream cheese icing. Meanwhile, cinnamon buns are baked in a dish and topped with a caramel glaze poured on top. Using classic cinnamon rolls, this recipe features the best of both worlds! 

What does heavy cream do in cinnamon roll recipes? 

Although used to make our caramel sauce, heavy cream is often poured on cinnamon rolls to help balance out their sweetness and make them extra fluffy and moist. 

Do I need to peel the apples?

You don’t have to, but we do! We find it’s best not to have to bite into the tough skin.  

More Amazing Cinnamon Roll Recipes

Looking for more cinnamon roll recipes the whole family will want to sink their teeth into? We’ve got you covered! 

apple caramel cinnamon rolls on a plate with a fork

a serving of apple caramel cinnamon rolls on a plate

Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

5 from 1 vote
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Apple Caramel Cinnamon Rolls are sweet, sticky, and baked to fluffy, golden perfection! Served warm, they’re the perfect addition to any holiday breakfast, weekend brunch, and everything in between.

Ingredients  

  • 3 1/2 cans of grand cinnamon rolls quartered
  • 2 apples peeled and chopped into cubes
  • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Slice the cinnamon rolls into quarters. Arrange ½ of the cinnamon roll dough in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the apples on top.
    3 1/2 cans of grand cinnamon rolls, 2 apples
  • In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, add the butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Bring the ingredients to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, and simmer on low for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce darkens and thickens.
    8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pour ½ of the caramel over the cinnamon rolls and apples.
  • Arrange the remaining dough on top, and pour the rest of the caramel over the mixture.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are golden and fluffy.
  • Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Would you like to save this? 🔖

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 541IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!
close up image of a plate full of cinnamon rolls with a fork stabbing a bite

You Might Also Like

Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes

These chocolate chip protein pancakes come together with six ingredients and no protein powder for a sweet breakfast you can feel good about!

Strawberry Chia Pudding

Prepare this easy strawberry chia pudding recipe with just six ingredients for a nutritious make-ahead breakfast or snack!

Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Can you cut this in 1/2? There arenโ€™t but 3 of us at home and I would hate to waste any of this.
    Could you freeze leftovers?

    1. Yes! Just keep an eye on the oven, and adjust the baking time as needed. Or, leftovers can be frozen for 2-3 months!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa