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Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Apple cinnamon rolls with a soft, fluffy risen dough and a sweet caramelized apple filling, baked until deeply golden. Finished with a tangy cream cheese glaze for sticky swirls and glossy tops.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
rising 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the dough
  • 0.75 cup warm milk (110F)
  • 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.33 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
For the apple filling
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and finely diced
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For cream cheese glaze
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Bloom the yeast and make the dough
  1. Combine warm milk and active dry yeast in a bowl, then let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix in granulated sugar, melted unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, then add all-purpose flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough 8 minutes until smooth, then place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
Cook the apple filling
  1. Cook diced medium apples with unsalted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a skillet 5-7 minutes until softened and caramelized.
  2. Cool the apple filling completely before using.
Shape, proof, and bake
  1. Roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle, then spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the surface.
  2. Roll tightly from the long side, then cut into 12 equal rolls.
  3. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 baking dish, cover, and let rise 45 minutes.
  4. Bake at 375F for 22-25 minutes until golden.
Glaze and serve
  1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
  2. Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the apple filling completely so it doesn’t melt the dough or make it gummy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; rewarm gently in the oven or microwave. Freezing is yes—freeze baked, glazed rolls after fully cooling and reheat from thawed. For a dairy-free swap, use a plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese in the dough and glaze.