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Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns. A delicious twist on traditional cinnamon buns using diced apples in the filling. A sticky glaze baked at the bottom makes them extra tempting.

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Like the look of these apple cinnamon sticky buns? They are fantastic, and call me immodest but I have never had a cinnamon roll that was better than those I bake myself.

Plenty of people say the same because of the buttery soft dough bakes up so beautifully light.

Red delicious apples on a red background. Stock photo.

I like Red Delicious Apples for this recipe but you can use any kind you like. Firmer apples are best though.

This Apple Cinnamon Sticky Bun version is a particular favourite of mine. I only make them when I have a crowd coming for fear of eating them all! 

They are an absolute brunch favourite at our house and I know many people who have tried this recipe and had it become practically a family tradition, especially during celebration times like the Holidays or at special brunches like on Mother’s Day.

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns - rising before baking

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns – rising before baking

One time saving trick for serving them at brunch is to prepare them the night before and “cold proof” them, covered in a clean dishtowel in the fridge overnight. Let them rise for an hour or so out of the fridge before baking them in the morning. Works like a charm.

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

You might also like to try our Sticky Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls.

Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls photo collage

Originally published January 2008.

Like this Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns recipe?

You’ll find dozens of other great recipes like this in our Breakfast & Brunch Category and even more ideas in our Muffins, Tea Buns & Scones Category

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

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Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns
Yield: 12 large rolls.

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns. A delicious twist on traditional cinnamon buns using diced apples in the filling. A sticky glaze baked at the bottom makes them extra tempting.

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 1 ¼ cups warm milk
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 pkg, (5 g) instant dry yeast
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, , slightly beaten

For the filling

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup very soft butter
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2½ cups apples, , diced small
  • For the Sticky Glaze
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup melted butter

For the Vanilla Glaze (optional)

  • 1 cup icing sugar, (powdered sugar)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp milk, (approximately)

Instructions

To prepare the dough

  1. Combine 2 cups of the flour along with the sugar, instant yeast and salt in a large bowl or in the bowl of a large electric mixer that uses a dough hook.
  2. Add the melted butter, warm milk, eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. Using a wooden spoon or the regular paddle of your electric mixer beat for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
  4. If using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hook at this point and begin to slowly incorporate the remaining 1 cup of flour. If not using an electric mixer keep mixing in the flour gradually until a soft dough forms that leaves the sides of the bowl. You may need to use a little less or a little more flour, this is not uncommon.
  5. Knead the dough for an additional 10 minutes either in the electric mixer or on a bread board or countertop.
  6. Cover dough and leave to rest and rise for one hour. Punch the dough down and knead it for a few minutes by hand before letting it rest for another 10 minutes.
  7. Roll the rested dough our into a large rectangle about 12x18 inches.
  8. For the Sticky glaze
  9. Combine the 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup melted butter in the bottom of the pan before adding the rolls.

For the filling

  1. Combine 1 cup brown sugar, the soft butter and cinnamon to make a paste.
  2. Spread this mixture on the rolled out dough. Evenly sprinkle on the diced apples.
  3. (At this point you can make plain cinnamon rolls or, if desired, you can sprinkle on raisins, chopped pecans or walnuts, chopped apple pieces or any combination you like.)
  4. Starting at the short side of the rectangle, roll the dough into a log, pinching the dough together to seal at the end of the roll.
  5. Cut the roll into 12 equal pieces and place in the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking pan.
  6. (Note: For Sticky Buns combine 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup melted butter in the bottom of the pan before adding the rolls. Invert onto a platter when baked.)
  7. Cover the baking pan with a clean tea towel and allow the rolls to rise until at least doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. (I sometimes let them rise in the fridge overnight and pop them into the oven in the morning. I’ve also frozen them before they rise and take them out of the freezer to rise overnight on the counter top before going to bed)
  8. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until the rolls spring back when touched in the middle of the pan. Frost with vanilla glaze if desired.

For the Vanilla Glaze

  1. Whisk all three ingredients together until smooth and drizzle over the cinnamon rolls. If the glaze seems too thin, add a little more icing sugar.

Notes

The 3 hour total time is an approximation including rising time for the rolls. In a warm kitchen they may rise faster. One time saving trick for serving them at brunch is to prepare them the night before and "cold proof" them, covered in a clean dishtowel in the fridge overnight. Let them rise for an hour or so out of the fridge before baking them in the morning. Works like a charm.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1 grams

Amount Per Serving Calories 447Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 81mgSodium 228mgCarbohydrates 63gFiber 2gSugar 36gProtein 5g

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

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Chloè

Thursday 14th of March 2019

Second time making these buns my husband and of course myself,really enjoyed them. Froze some already baked and last night went to pull 2 out for dessert and my goodness, there wasn't any left. Decides to make homemade bread today so I decided to do the buns also.

Lisa Spencer

Sunday 10th of March 2019

These buns are delicious but the written recipe needs work. Ingredients should be listed in the ordet that they are used.

Nad.

Sunday 4th of November 2018

I found I had to add 4 cup of flour. They are in the fridge now. Hopefully they turn out okay. It os my first attempt.

Barry C. Parsons

Monday 9th of December 2013

Depends if they rise sufficiently overnight Diane. You may have to let them rise for a while before putting them into the oven. Depends how cold your fridge is. It's a judgement call.

Diane

Monday 9th of December 2013

I would like to make these for a christmas breakfast tomorrow morning.. Would you suggest letting them raise overnight in the fridge and baking them in the morning.. If I do this do I do it just like the recipe says, putting in fridge after they are rolled and cut? do I just put them in the oven straight from the fridge?

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