Description
Soft and fluffy Apple Cinnamon Rolls filled with warm spiced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze. A cozy breakfast or brunch treat best served warm.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
3/4 cup whole milk, warm
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for spreading
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for apple filling
1/4 cup brown sugar, for apple filling
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for apple filling
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk, as needed
Instructions
1. Mix flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast in a large bowl.
2. Add warm milk, eggs, and softened butter, then mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
4. Cover the dough and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Cook chopped apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until softened and slightly caramelized.
6. Let the apple filling cool completely before adding it to the dough.
7. Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle.
8. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
9. Add the cooled apple filling evenly over the surface.
10. Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 9 to 12 equal rolls.
11. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise again until puffy.
12. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
14. Spread the cream cheese glaze over warm rolls and serve.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for better dough consistency.
The dough should feel slightly tacky but not sticky.
Avoid overfilling the rolls to prevent leaking during baking.
Cool the apples before spreading them over the dough.
The rolls can be assembled ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.
Adjust glaze thickness with more or less milk.
Best served warm.
Store covered at room temperature for 1 to 2 days or refrigerate longer.
Reheat before serving for the softest texture.
Optional variations include chopped nuts, raisins, nutmeg, or cardamom.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg