Description
Delicious homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls with a sweet and spiced apple filling, topped with a rich brown butter maple icing. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls feature tender dough, warm cinnamon, and fresh Honeycrisp apples for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Apple Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped
Brown Butter Maple Icing
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm milk, yeast, and brown sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture is bubbly on top, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add the butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups of flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Mix using the dough hook on medium speed until fully combined, about 4 to 5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, gradually add up to 1/2 cup more flour until the dough becomes smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling and Pan: While the dough rises, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Roll and Fill Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 by 18 inch rectangle. Evenly spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the apple pieces and cinnamon sugar mixture all over. Starting from the long edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the edge to seal.
- Cut Rolls: Using a sharp knife, slice the dough log into 12 to 15 equal rolls. Place the rolls evenly in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise again for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
- Make Icing: While the rolls bake, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it browns lightly and smells toasted, then remove from heat. In a bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, browned butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar (start with 2 cups and add more for desired consistency), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the brown butter maple icing over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet, gooey cinnamon apple goodness.
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare the rolls through step 4 and refrigerate covered overnight without the final rise. Remove from fridge and let sit 30 minutes before baking.
- To Prepare and Freeze: Assemble rolls through step 4, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or a few hours at room temperature before baking.
- To Bake and Freeze: Bake rolls fully, cool completely, then freeze covered for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
