Apple Cinnamon Rolls: A Sweet, Cozy Delight



Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Soft & Fluffy Dough : Light, pillowy buns that melt in your mouth.
  2. Spiced Apple Filling : Juicy apples tossed with cinnamon and sugar create a pie-like center.
  3. Cream Cheese Glaze : A tangy-sweet topping that ties it all together.
  4. Perfect for Fall : Packed with cozy, seasonal flavors like cinnamon and apples.
  5. Make-Ahead Friendly : Prepare the rolls the night before and bake them fresh in the morning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup whole milk , warmed to 110°F (43°C)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter , melted
  • 2 large eggs , room temperature
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 1/2–4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Apple Filling:

  • 2 medium apples , peeled, cored, and finely diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for extra warmth)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

  • 4 oz cream cheese , softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter , softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar , sifted
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp milk , as needed

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, salt, and 3 1/2 cups of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours , or until doubled in size.


 

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