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
- 1–2 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