There’s something magical about waking up to the smell of cinnamon, caramelized apples, and fresh dough baking in the oven. These Thanksgiving Apple Cinnamon Rolls capture that perfect cozy morning feeling warm, gooey, and irresistibly festive.
Whether you’re prepping a treat for Thanksgiving brunch or a sweet finish to your dinner spread, this easy apple cinnamon roll recipe brings together everything we love about fall: tender dough, buttery cinnamon sugar, and juicy apples wrapped in creamy glaze.
What Makes These Rolls Special
Most cinnamon rolls are delicious but these are pure Thanksgiving comfort.
- Soft, pull-apart dough with a fluffy texture
- Filling of sautéed cinnamon apples + brown sugar butter
- Cream cheese glaze that melts into every swirl
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 yolk
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 cups chopped apples (Honeycrisp or Gala)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
Combine yeast, milk, sugar, and butter. Knead until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
Sauté apples in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until slightly soft. Let cool.
Step 3: Roll and Fill
Roll out dough, spread apple mixture, and roll into a log. Slice into rolls.
Step 4: Bake & Glaze
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 25–30 minutes. Drizzle with cream cheese glaze.
Make-Ahead & Overnight Tip 🍎
You can prepare these rolls the night before Thanksgiving! Simply assemble, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them rest for 45 minutes, then bake fresh while coffee brews. Perfect for slow, cozy mornings.
Why They’re Perfect for Thanksgiving
Unlike typical cinnamon rolls, these are designed to fit the mood of the holiday filled with apples, spices, and gratitude. They make a perfect breakfast for guests arriving early, or a sweet late-night treat after turkey leftovers.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: 4 days in airtight container
- Freezer: Up to 2 months unglazed
- Reheat: 15 sec microwave + drizzle glaze before serving
FAQs
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes! Just skip the yeast step. Use 1 can crescent roll dough or pizza dough.
What’s the best apple type?
Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith for balanced tart sweetness.
Can I skip the cream cheese glaze?
You can replace it with caramel drizzle for extra Thanksgiving flavor.
Conclusion
These Thanksgiving Apple Cinnamon Rolls are more than just dessert they’re a tradition in the making. Each swirl captures that cozy fall moment we crave: warmth, sweetness, and the taste of home.
✨ Try it this week and tag @EatTreatsRecipes on Pinterest or Instagram because comfort should always be this delicious!
🍂 More Cozy Fall Recipes You’ll Love
- Looking for more cozy sweets? Try our Easy Fall Dessert Recipes.
- If you love pumpkin, don’t miss the No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls.
- For another apple classic, check out this Old-Fashioned Apple Cobbler.
- Love caramel? You’ll adore our Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.
- Don’t skip the chewy Apple Brownies perfect with coffee.
- For something fun, bake our Cinnamon Roll Cookies.
- Craving chocolate? These Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars never disappoint.
- And if you adore muffins, try the Apple Pumpkin Muffins with Crumb Topping.