Frosted Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls

These Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls combine the rich, spiced flavor of apple butter with the sweet, gooey goodness of cinnamon rolls and a simple maple frosting. These soft rolls are easy to make with a no yeast dough and are the perfect fall breakfast! 

These apple butter cinnamon rolls are a unique and fruity autumnal twist to classic cinnamon rolls! Using my stovetop apple butter adds a rich, spiced apple flavor to the sweet dough for the best seasonal flavor. 

These sweet rolls are so simple to put together by using the same no yeast dough as my easy cinnamon rolls! While I love my overnight caramel apple cinnamon rolls with yeast, they take a bit of planning, whereas these rolls I can bake on a whim for a weekday breakfast or snack.

These cinnamon rolls have the best gooey texture when served warm right out of the oven and the generous layer of apple butter just adds to their divine aroma! When it comes to winning at breakfast, these rolls and my apple butter cake donuts are my favorite fall treats.

Why You’ll Love These Fall Inspired Sweet Rolls

• Fall inspired: These cinnamon rolls are dressed up with fresh apple butter making them a favorite autumn treat!
• No yeast dough: This recipe uses my mom’s easy no yeast biscuit dough so there is no waiting for the rolls to rise before baking!
• Sweet and tender: Soft, gooey and with a warm cinnamon apple taste makes this the best cinnamon roll recipe for the fall and beyond! 
• Irresistible aroma: As these homemade cinnamon rolls bake they will fill your kitchen with the most delicious smells. 

Homemade Apple Butter Cinnamon Roll Recipe Ingredients

• Brown sugar and butter: Adds a gooey classic cinnamon roll texture! 
• Whole fat plain yogurt: Adds a tender texture to the dough.
• Egg: One large egg is used for binding and moisture.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweet taste to the sweet roll dough!
• Baking staples: Baking powder and baking soda are two leavening agents that help the dough rise. Salt enhances the taste.
• Cold butter: You can use salted butter or unsalted butter and adjust the added salt as needed.
• Apple butter: This is different from applesauce. You can use homemade apple butter or store-bought apple butter.
• Maple frosting: Powdered sugar, vanilla, maple syrup and milk. 

How To Make Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls

To start, add butter and brown sugar directly on the bottom of the prepared square baking pan.

Combine wet ingredients by beating together the yogurt and egg in a small bowl. 

Next, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the chopped or grated cold butter and combine until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Combine wet and dry ingredients by adding the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and mixing with a fork until a soft dough forms.

Move dough to a lightly floured surface and pat into a large rectangle, then roll out with a floured rolling pin into a rectangle. 

Spread the top of the dough with the apple butter then roll up from the long end and pinch the edges to seal. Cut into slices.

Arrange the cinnamon roll slices cut side down in the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean or with a couple of crumbs attached. 

Remove the buns from the pan and cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, prepare the maple frosting and spread onto the rolls. 

Substitutions And Variations

• Frosting: If you are like the Italian and think maple syrup should be saved for pancakes, try a cream cheese frosting like I use in these carrot cake muffins instead! 
• Glaze: Instead of a frosting, try this maple glaze from my favorite cinnamon scones, add a simple vanilla glaze or try an apple cider glaze!
• Warm spices: Ginger, nutmeg or even apple spice can be added to the dough if you like a little more cinnamon sugar spice. 
• Sweeter filling: If you like a sweeter filling, add up to 1/4 cup brown sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon to the apple butter fiilling.
• Yogurt: You can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of the regular plain yogurt. 

Baking Tips

• Expect a soft dough: A soft and slightly sticky dough is okay in this recipe! Do not add extra flour to the dough or you will have dense rolls. Extra flour when shaping the rolls or to flour your counter is okay! 
• Don’t overwork the dough: Since this is no yeast dough it is important not to overmix the dough otherwise your rolls may turn out flat and dense. 
• Cold butter: Using cold butter gives these cinnamon rolls with a quick no yeast dough a soft, flaky texture as the butter melts into the dough as it bakes for a rich texture.
• Bake in a muffin plan: After cutting your rolls, place them in a standard muffin pan for cinnamon roll muffins! They will bake up with crusty edges all around and be so delicious! 
• Bake right away: While technically you can assemble these and store them overnight in the refrigerator to bake in the morning, if you like fluffy cinnamon rolls, bake them right away. 

Recipe FAQs

How To Store Leftover Apple Cinnamon Buns?

Store covered with foil or in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm individual rolls in the microwave until heated through.

Can I Freeze Leftover Rolls?

Yes, but it is best to do so without the frosting. Cool completely then wrap individual rolls in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat to desired temp. 

More Delicious Apple Recipes

• Cinnamon Apple Strudel
• Apple Pie Cookies
• Applesauce Cake
• Homemade Italian Apple Pie
• Cinnamon Apple Tart

When you are craving a Cinnamon Roll but don’t have the time, then these no-yeast Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect solution. Especially when you drizzle them with a little Maple Frosting. Enjoy!

Updated from September 26, 2016.