Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Easy apple cinnamon rolls with generous goey apple filling that's bursting with cinnamon flavor. These soft and fluffy rolls are topped with delicious cream cheese frosting and are simply irresistible. They can be made the night before so you can bake them in the morning.
- Prep time
- 40 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 4+1/2 cup bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg (, room temperature)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (, melted)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup whole milk (, warm)
- 1 tbsp instant dry yeast
- zest of 1 orange (, optional but highly recommended)
- 4 Gala or Granny Smith apples (, cut into small cubes of 4 cups)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (,softened for spreading)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
- 4 oz full-fat cream cheese (, room temperature)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (, room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1+1/2 cup powdered sugar (, sifted)
- some melted butter (, for brushing the rolls before baking)
Instructions
- 1
Add bread flour, salt, honey, egg, melted butter, warm milk, and instant yeast into the standing mixer bowl. Knead for 10 minutes using speed 2, using a dough hook.
- 2
Make the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl that's lightly greased. Cover the bowl tightly with cling film. Let the dough rise to double its size. It'll take around 1-2 hours.
- 3
While the dough is rising, cook the diced apples with butter in a pan, on medium-high heat, for 5-10 minutes or until they get soft, but not mushy. Cool completely before using.
- 4
Mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon powder in a bowl. Set aside.
- 5
Roll the dough on a lightly floured kitchen top, to an 18x12-inch rectangle (45x30cm). Spread 1/3 cup softened butter on top, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture, followed with the apple filling. Roll into a somewhat tight log from the longest end, and cut it into 12 equal pieces with a sharp knife.
- 6
Arrange the rolls in a buttered 13x9-inch pan (33x23cm). Cover loosely with a cling film and let the rolls rise to double their size, for around 30-45 minutes.
- 7
Brush the top with melted butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 400℉ (200℃), on the middle rack, for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- 8
While the rolls are baking, make the frosting. Mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract with a stand mixer for 1-2 minutes until well combined, using a paddle attachment. Gradually add in powdered sugar and mix well after each addition. Chill in the fridge while not using. Frost the apple cinnamon rolls either while they're still warm or completely cool. Enjoy!