Description
Delicious and comforting apple cinnamon rolls that are perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat. These rolls are filled with a spiced apple pie filling and topped with a creamy cream cheese icing.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Pie Filling:
- 1 2/3 cups diced Gala apple
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Dough:
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Tangzhong (from recipe above)
- 5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup light brown or dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons apple butter
Instructions
- Make the Apple Pie Filling. In a pot, cook diced apples, apple butter, sugar, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt over medium heat. After 12-13 minutes, mash the mixture to create a jammy consistency (with some apple chunks remaining). Combine water and cornstarch, stir it in, and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer the filling to a bowl and let it cool.
- Make the Tangzhong. In a small pot, whisk the water and all-purpose flour together. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is thick and paste-like. Scrape it into a bowl and set it aside.
- Make the Dough. In a stand mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose sugar, yeast, and salt until combined. Then add the milk, egg, vanilla, and tangzhong. Knead on low speed until it forms a shaggy dough ball.
- Knead the dough. Gradually add softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring each addition is incorporated fully. Knead for 10-11 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, sticking to the bottom of the bowl. Adjust the consistency as needed with small amounts of flour or milk. If it’s too wet and sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add half a tablespoon of milk at a time.
- First rise. Using buttered hands, shape the dough into a smooth round ball, ensuring the seams are at the bottom. Place the dough seam side down in a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Line a metal 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the cinnamon filling. Combine the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Roll the dough. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into an 18×12 rectangle, with the long (18-inch) side closest to you. Spread the brown sugar cinnamon filling across the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border clean at the top. Then spread the apple pie filling.
- Cut the rolls. Roll the dough tightly away from you, sealing the clean edge to the log. Cut into twelve 1 1/2-inch rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss. Place them in the prepared baking pan. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C) during this time.
- Bake! Bake the apple cinnamon rolls for 25-35 minutes, or until the middle of the swirls are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
- Make the cream cheese icing. Mix together the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar with a spoon until smooth. Then whisk in the heavy cream and apple butter. Spoon the glaze over the warm rolls and swirl with more apple butter if desired!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or oven until warmed through!
Notes
- For accurate results, please measure the flour by weight using a kitchen scale.
- Adjust the sugar levels in the filling according to your taste preference.
- Feel free to add nuts or raisins to the filling for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
