Vegan Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Byanna orden
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Introduction

These vegan apple cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with warm cinnamon and fresh apple flavors. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack, they come with a creamy vegan cream cheese frosting that’s simply irresistible.

A metal rectangular pan filled with twelve cinnamon rolls arranged in a 3 by 4 grid, some topped with creamy white icing that has a smooth, thick texture, while others show swirls of cinnamon brown with bits of nuts and dark cinnamon filling visible; the rolls have a golden-brown baked edge and soft spiral layers, all resting on parchment paper inside the pan. The background is a white marbled surface with a red apple and green apple on the left, two cinnamon sticks, a white ceramic butter dish, and a white ribbed container behind the pan. On the right side, there are two small red and brown maple leaf-shaped dishes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 1/4 cups (530g) bread flour or all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
  • 1 1/4 cups (315g) dairy-free milk, warm
  • 1/2 cup (115g) vegan butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons (40g) granulated sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
  • 2/3 cup (125g) packed brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/3 cup (75g) vegan butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 medium apples (~360g each), finely chopped
  • 2/3 cup (160g or 5 ounces) vegan cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (55g) vegan block butter, room temperature
  • 1-2 cups (100g-200g) powdered sugar or icing sugar, to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, warm dairy-free milk, 1/2 cup vegan butter, granulated sugar, instant dry yeast, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract (if using), and salt. Mix until the dough comes together.
  2. Step 2: Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes until smooth, stretchy, and slightly tacky. If kneading by hand, work on a lightly floured surface. Add a little milk if dry or flour if too sticky.
  3. Step 3: Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for at least 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until smooth to prepare the filling.
  5. Step 5: Grease or line a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) cake pan with parchment paper.
  6. Step 6: Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 14×17-inch (35x45cm) rectangle using a rolling pin.
  7. Step 7: Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Sprinkle the finely chopped apples on top.
  8. Step 8: Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a tube. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the dough into individual rolls.
  9. Step 9: Arrange the rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with a tea towel and let rise for at least 1 hour until they are puffy again.
  10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the rolls for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch.
  11. Step 11: Let the rolls cool on a wire rack while preparing the frosting.
  12. Step 12: Combine vegan cream cheese, vegan block butter, and powdered sugar in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust sugar for desired firmness. Chill until needed.
  13. Step 13: Once cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the cinnamon rolls before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use brown sugar or coconut sugar for a richer, more caramel-like flavor in the filling.
  • For extra gooey rolls, add a bit of dairy-free cream or syrup drizzle before baking.
  • Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch.
  • If you don’t have instant yeast, you can substitute with active dry yeast—just dissolve it in warm milk first.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or warm oven before serving to restore softness and flavor.

How to Serve

A metal baking pan lined with light brown parchment paper holds twelve cinnamon rolls arranged in three rows of four. Nine of the rolls are topped with creamy white icing spread thickly, showing smooth swirls of iced dough in soft golden brown color. The other three rolls, placed centered and bottom left, are darker brown, with visible bits of nuts and cinnamon sugar peeking through, giving a textured and spiced look without icing. The pan rests on a white marbled surface, surrounded by one green apple and one red apple on the top left, a white butter dish with a cover, and two cinnamon sticks scattered nearby. To the right, there are small red and dark brown leaf-shaped dishes and a light brown fabric cloth partially visible. In the lower left corner, a white plate with a patterned edge holds a knife with a yellow handle and a bit of icing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight after the first rise. Allow it to come to room temperature and complete the second rise before baking.

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely. Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith work best to balance the sweetness and hold their shape, but feel free to try sweeter or softer varieties if you prefer.

Print
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Vegan Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 145 reviews
  • Author: anna
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Delightfully soft and fluffy vegan apple cinnamon rolls featuring a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and fresh apples, topped with creamy vegan cream cheese frosting. Perfectly baked until golden and tender, this plant-based treat makes for an irresistible breakfast or snack option.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 4 1/4 cups (530g) bread flour (or all-purpose plain flour, plus more if needed)
  • 1 1/4 cups (315g) dairy-free milk (warm)
  • 1/2 cup (115g) vegan butter (room temperature)
  • 3 tablespoons (40g) granulated sugar (brown sugar or coconut sugar)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)

Filling

  • 2/3 cup (125g) packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/3 cup (75g) vegan butter (softened)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 medium-size apples (~360g each), finely chopped

Frosting

  • 2/3 cup (160g or 5 ounces) vegan cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1/4 cup (55g) vegan block butter (room temperature)
  • 1–2 cups (100g-200g) powdered sugar / icing sugar (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Making the dough: Add all the dough ingredients into a large bowl or stand mixer and mix until combined. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes until it becomes smooth, stretchy, and tacky. If kneading by hand, transfer to a lightly floured surface. Adjust with a dash of milk if dry, or more flour if too sticky.
  2. First proof: Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for at least 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  3. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine softened vegan butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until a smooth paste forms and set aside.
  4. Assemble the rolls: Grease or line a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) cake pan with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 14×17-inch (35x45cm) rectangle using a rolling pin.
  5. Add filling: Spread the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the dough, close to the edges. Then sprinkle the finely chopped apples on top.
  6. Roll up the dough: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a tube shape. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the roll into equal-sized cinnamon rolls.
  7. Second proof: Place the rolls in the prepared baking tray, cover with a tea towel, and let them rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour until puffy.
  8. Bake the rolls: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 30-35 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and spring back when gently pressed. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  9. Make the frosting: Combine vegan cream cheese, vegan block butter, and powdered sugar in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Adjust sugar to achieve desired firmness. Chill until ready to use.
  10. Frost and serve: Once the rolls have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top. Enjoy fresh on the day of baking or store as directed.
  11. Storage: Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use vegan butter at room temperature for easier mixing in the dough and filling.
  • Instant dry yeast is used for convenience; if using active dry yeast, proof in warm milk before adding.
  • Adding vanilla extract is optional but enhances flavor.
  • To achieve extra gooey cinnamon rolls, consider slightly underbaking or adding a glaze after baking.
  • Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to taste for desired sweetness and consistency.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: vegan apple cinnamon rolls, vegan cinnamon rolls recipe, plant-based cinnamon rolls, dairy-free apple rolls, vegan breakfast pastries

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