Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Apple Cinnamon Rolls filled with a spiced apple filling and topped with rich brown butter maple icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or special brunch, these rolls combine the warmth of cinnamon and apples with a luscious sweet glaze that melts in your mouth.
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 – 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
- 2-3 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, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly on top, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Prepare dough: Add the softened butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups of flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook, mix for 4-5 minutes until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough forms. If sticky, add up to an additional 1/2 cup flour gradually until smooth and elastic to the touch.
- First rise: Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size, allowing the dough to ferment and develop flavor.
- Make filling and prep pan: Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl for the filling. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Shape rolls: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12×18 inch large rectangle. Evenly spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the chopped apples and cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top. Starting at the long edge nearest you, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the edge to seal. Cut into 12 to 15 equal rolls and place them evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise again for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the rolls.
- Bake rolls: Bake the risen rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare icing: While the rolls bake, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat, cooking until it browns lightly and gives off a toasted aroma, approximately 2-3 minutes. 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 thickness), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- Ice and serve: Spread the brown butter maple icing over the warm rolls right after baking. Serve immediately to enjoy the gooey, sweet, and spiced flavors at their best.
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare the rolls through shaping (step 4). Instead of letting them rise at room temperature, cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking and proceed to bake as directed.
- To Prepare and Freeze: Assemble the rolls through step 4, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw either overnight in the fridge or a few hours at room temperature before baking as directed.
- To Bake and Freeze: Bake the rolls as directed, let cool completely, then cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and rewarm before frosting to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
