Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Short Description

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a warm, comforting treat featuring fluffy dough filled with spiced apples and a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl. Topped with a creamy glaze, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Soft, pillowy texture with a delicious cinnamon-apple filling.
  • Perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
  • Great for make-ahead breakfasts or special occasions.
  • Customizable with different glazes or nuts.
  • Tastes like a bakery-style cinnamon roll but made at home.
Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls 10 Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a warm, comforting treat featuring fluffy dough filled with spiced apples and a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl. Topped with a creamy glaze, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • For the dough:
    • All-purpose flour
    • Active dry yeast
    • Warm milk
    • Sugar
    • Butter (melted)
    • Eggs
    • Salt
  • For the filling:
    • Apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
    • Brown sugar
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Butter (softened)
    • Cornstarch
  • For the glaze:
    • Powdered sugar
    • Milk or heavy cream
    • Vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead for about 5 minutes, then cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. In a saucepan, cook apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch until soft. Let cool.
  5. Roll out the dough into a rectangle and spread softened butter over the surface.
  6. Spread the apple mixture evenly, then roll the dough into a log and slice into rolls.
  7. Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  9. While rolls cool slightly, whisk together glaze ingredients.
  10. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 12 rolls
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Rise Time: 1.5 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Variations

  • Nutty Apple Rolls: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
  • Caramel Apple Rolls: Drizzle caramel sauce over the rolls instead of glaze.
  • Pumpkin Spice Rolls: Add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the dough for a fall twist.
  • Maple Glazed Rolls: Replace vanilla extract with maple syrup in the glaze.
  • Cranberry Apple Rolls: Add dried cranberries to the apple filling for a tart contrast.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes.
  • Freezing: Freeze unglazed rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before adding glaze.


Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls 11 Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a warm, comforting treat featuring fluffy dough filled with spiced apples and a rich cinnamon-sugar swirl. Topped with a creamy glaze, these rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

FAQs

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning.

Can I use store-bought dough?

Yes, but homemade dough provides the best texture and flavor.

What apples work best for this recipe?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples hold up well when baked.

How do I prevent the rolls from getting too dry?

Avoid overbaking and store them in an airtight container to retain moisture.

Can I make these without eggs?

Yes! Substitute eggs with unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg.

How do I get evenly sized rolls?

Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to slice the dough cleanly.

Can I add cream cheese to the glaze?

Yes! Mix in softened cream cheese for a richer frosting.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

A quick microwave warm-up works, but for the best texture, use the oven.

Can I make these in a bread machine?

Yes! Use the dough setting, then roll, fill, and bake as directed.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! Simply double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish.

Conclusion

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful homemade treat filled with warm spiced apples and sweet cinnamon goodness. Perfect for any time of the year, these rolls are a must-try for any cinnamon roll lover!

Print
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Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

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  • Author: Maria B. Evans
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a gooey cinnamon-apple filling. Topped with a rich cream cheese glaze, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and spiced flavors. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven for the ultimate comfort treat!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • :
  • For the Dough:
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Apple Filling:
  • 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • For the Cinnamon Sugar Butter:
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)

Instructions

  • :
  • Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until soft and elastic. (Or knead in a stand mixer for 5 minutes.) Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  • Make the apple filling: In a pan over medium heat, melt butter and add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook for 5 minutes until soft and syrupy. Let cool.
  • Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 14×10-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Evenly spread the cooked apples on top.
  • Roll and cut: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Cut into 12 even slices and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  • Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Make the glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  • Glaze & serve: Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls and enjoy!

Notes

  • :
  • Make ahead: Assemble the rolls the night before and refrigerate. Let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
  • For extra softness, cover the baked rolls with foil for 5 minutes after removing them from the oven.
  • Try a caramel twist by drizzling warm caramel sauce over the top!

Nutrition

  • Calories: ~320
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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