Description
Delight in these soft, fluffy Apple Cinnamon Rolls filled with sweet, spiced apples and topped with a rich brown butter maple icing. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat, these rolls combine tender dough, warm cinnamon apple filling, and a luscious cream cheese frosting with a hint of maple syrup.
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 and Mix Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly on top. Then add the room temperature butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups of flour, and kosher salt. Mix for about 4-5 minutes until the flour is fully incorporated. If the dough is sticky, gradually add more flour up to the remaining 1/2 cup until it feels smooth to the touch.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling and Pan: While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl to create the cinnamon sugar mixture. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish to prepare for the rolls.
- Shape Rolls: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 12 x 18-inch rectangle. Spread the 6 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the chopped apples and cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the dough. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the edge to seal, then slice the log into 12 to 15 equal rolls. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise for an additional 20-30 minutes.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Make Brown Butter Maple Icing: While the rolls bake, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter in a pot over medium heat, allowing it to brown lightly and smell toasted (about 2-3 minutes). Remove the pot from heat. In a bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, browned butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar (2-3 cups), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the warm icing evenly over the baked rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare through shaping the rolls (step 4), then cover and refrigerate overnight without the second rise. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking.
- To Prepare and Freeze: After shaping (step 4), cover and freeze rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge or a few hours at room temp before baking.
- To Bake and Freeze: Bake rolls fully and let cool completely. Freeze covered for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before frosting and serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
