Why Make This Recipe

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful treat that blends the warm flavors of cinnamon and apples with a soft, fluffy dough. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these rolls are not only delicious but also bring a cozy, homey feeling to any kitchen. They are great for sharing with family and friends, making them a fantastic choice for gatherings or special occasions. The combination of sweet cream cheese frosting and the tender apple filling takes them to another level. If you want to enjoy a sweet baked treat that feels like a warm hug, this is the recipe for you!

How to Make Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Making Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls involves several steps, which we will break down for you. It’s a rewarding process that results in a delightful batch of rolls that everyone will love.

Ingredients:

250g whole milk, lukewarm
50g Granulated Sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dried yeast
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 tsp kosher salt
565g All-Purpose Flour
100g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
850g – about four medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced small
30g Unsalted Butter
80g Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
1 Tbsp Corn starch
125g Pecan Halves
190g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
280g Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp Kosher salt
115g Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
225g Cream Cheese, at room temperature
250g Powdered Sugar, sifted
1-2 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions

To make Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls, we will follow these steps:

Brioche Dough

Prepare Ingredients: Start by making sure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This includes the eggs and butter. The milk should be lukewarm, so warm it gently in the microwave or on the stove – avoid boiling.
Activate Yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm whole milk, 50g of granulated sugar, and the active dried yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is active and ready to use.
Mix Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and kosher salt. Add the yeast mixture once it’s frothy. Gradually add the 565g of all-purpose flour and mix until the dough starts to come together.
Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes or until it’s smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, use a dough hook on medium speed for about 5-7 minutes.
Add Butter: Once the dough is smooth, add the 100g of unsalted butter, a little at a time, kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth again.
First Rise: Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Apple Filling

Prepare Apples: While the dough is rising, prepare your apple filling. In a saucepan, melt 30g of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, 80g of granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp of kosher salt, and 1 Tbsp of corn starch. Cook these ingredients for about 5-7 minutes until the apples are slightly softened. Set aside to cool.

Toasted Pecans

Toast Pecans: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Spread the 125g of pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes until fragrant. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. Once ready, chop the pecans coarsely and set aside.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the 280g of brown sugar, 2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp of kosher salt. This will be the brown sugar cinnamon filling.

Assembly

Roll Out Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16×24 inches.
Spread Butter: Spread the 190g of unsalted butter evenly across the dough.
Add Filling: Sprinkle the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the buttered dough. Then, add the apple filling and toasted pecans evenly on top.
Roll Up: Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seams to seal it.
Cut Rolls: Using a sharp knife or a dough cutter, slice the rolled dough into 12-15 equal-sized rolls.
Prepare for Second Rise: Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover them again with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they puff up.
Preheat Oven: While the rolls rise, preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Bake: Once the rolls have risen, bake them in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and have puffed up beautifully.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Make Frosting: While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the 225g of cream cheese, 115g of unsalted butter, and 250g of powdered sugar until smooth. Add 1-2 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream and 1/2 tsp of kosher salt and mix until well combined and fluffy.
Add Cream: Adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more heavy cream if needed until it is spreadable.

How to Serve Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are best served warm. You can serve them as they are, or drizzle the cream cheese frosting generously over the top for added sweetness and creaminess. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk. For a special touch, consider serving them alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream.

How to Store Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

If you have leftovers (which is rare because they are so delicious!), you can store the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven until warmed through.

Tips to Make Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for better mixing and incorporation.
Don’t Rush the Rise: Allow the dough plenty of time to rise. A warm environment can help speed up the process, but do not rush it – the rolls will be softer and fluffier if given the right rising time.
Customize the Filling: Feel free to adjust the filling ingredients to your liking. You can add nuts, raisins, or even some chopped caramel for extra sweetness.
Frosting Consistency: If you find your frosting too runny, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add a little more cream or milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Variation

If you’re looking to mix things up, you can try different fruits such as peaches, cherries, or berries instead of apples. You can also make a pumpkin spice version in the fall by adding pumpkin puree and seasonings like nutmeg and ginger to the filling. Experiment with different spices or even chocolate chips for a delicious twist!

FAQs

Can I freeze Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls? Yes, you can freeze them before baking. After slicing the rolls, place them in the freezer on a baking sheet until they are solid, then transfer them to an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, let them thaw and rise before baking.
Why did my rolls not rise? If your rolls did not rise, it could be due to inactive yeast. Always check the expiration date on your yeast and ensure that you are using lukewarm milk to activate it.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can substitute part of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. However, using all whole wheat flour can result in denser rolls, so it’s best to blend both for the best texture.

By following these steps and tips, you will have a delightful batch of Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Enjoy the wonderful aroma and the delicious taste that comes straight from your kitchen!

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Print Recipe

Deliciously soft and fluffy apple cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese frosting, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Author: lila-monroe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: 12-15 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

250g whole milk, lukewarm
50g granulated sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dried yeast
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 tsp kosher salt
565g all-purpose flour
100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
850g apples, peeled, cored, and diced small
30g unsalted butter
80g granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp corn starch
125g pecan halves
190g unsalted butter, at room temperature
280g brown sugar
2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp kosher salt
115g unsalted butter, at room temperature
225g cream cheese, at room temperature
250g powdered sugar, sifted
1–2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

Prepare ingredients by ensuring they are at room temperature.
Activate yeast by mixing lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast and letting it sit until frothy.
Mix dough with eggs, salt, and the yeast mixture, then gradually add flour.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Add butter in increments while kneading until incorporated.
First rise the dough in a greased bowl covered for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Prepare apple filling by cooking apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and corn starch for 5-7 minutes.
Toast pecans in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes.
Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for filling.
Roll out the dough, spread butter, and layer with brown sugar filling, apple filling, and chopped pecans.
Roll tightly and slice into 12-15 rolls.
Prepare rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Make frosting by mixing cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, adding cream for consistency.
Serve warm with frosting drizzled on top.

Notes

Best served warm with cream cheese frosting. Can be customized with different fruits.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 320
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: apple rolls, cinnamon rolls, dessert, baking, soft rolls