Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft & Fluffy Dough : Light, pillowy buns that melt in your mouth.
- Spiced Apple Filling : Juicy apples tossed with cinnamon and sugar create a pie-like center.
- Cream Cheese Glaze : A tangy-sweet topping that ties it all together.
- Perfect for Fall : Packed with cozy, seasonal flavors like cinnamon and apples.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic.
- 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.