Description
These Gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls feature the perfect blend of honey crisp apples, warm spices, and creamy icing for a delectable homemade treat, ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 honey crisp apples, cored & diced
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey- optional
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 115–120°F
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 2 ¼ teaspoon instant or active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- 4 ½ cups bread flour (sub all-purpose flour)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream- optional
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add diced apples. Cook until tender, then stir in brown sugar and spices. Add bourbon, vanilla bean paste, apple cider vinegar, and cornstarch, cooking until thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Combine warm milk and half of the sugar in a bowl, sprinkle yeast on top, and let sit until foamy (10-15 minutes).
- Add remaining sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture.
- Knead the dough using a stand mixer or by hand until smooth and elastic (5-6 minutes with mixer or 10 minutes by hand).
- Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled (about 1 ½ hours).
- Roll out the dough to a rectangle and spread softened butter over it. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, then top with apple pie filling, reserving some for later.
- Roll up the dough tightly, cut into 9 or 12 pieces, and place in a lined baking pan. Cover and let rise until puffy (1-1 ½ hours) or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. If using, drizzle with cream before baking. Bake rolls until lightly golden brown (35-40 minutes).
- Make icing by mixing cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste.
- Spread icing over the warm rolls and garnish with reserved apple pie filling. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra richness, you can add a drizzle of heavy cream on top before baking.
Feel free to substitute the honey crisp apples with your favorite variety.
These rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg