Description
Delight in these soft, spiced Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls featuring a tender yeast dough layered with apple butter and a cinnamon sugar filling, finished with a luscious cream cheese maple frosting. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these rolls offer a wonderful balance of sweet and warm flavors, ideal for breakfast or a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 envelope active dry yeast (1 tablespoon)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Frosting
- 3/4 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Prep: Gather all ingredients and prepare your workspace. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook is recommended for kneading, but kneading by hand is possible though more time-consuming.
- Activate yeast: In a large measuring jug, mix the active dry yeast with 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is active. If it remains flat, discard and start again with fresh yeast.
- Add remaining liquid ingredients: Once the yeast is bubbly, whisk in the remaining milk, remaining granulated sugar, beaten eggs, and melted butter (adding butter last to avoid killing the yeast).
- Knead dough: In the stand mixer bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead with the dough hook attachment on medium speed for 8-10 minutes until the dough is soft, stretchy, and slightly tacky, but not sticky. Add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time if needed, until the dough pulls away from the bowl sides and forms a soft ball.
- Let dough rise: Place the dough in a large greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm room temperature until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes. For cooler kitchens, put the dough near a warm spot or inside a turned-off oven warmed slightly, ensuring it doesn’t exceed 100°F.
- Roll out and add filling: Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll dough into an 18 by 12-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the apple butter evenly over the dough. Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly over the apple butter, leaving a small border along one long edge free to help seal the roll.
- Assemble rolls: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a jelly-roll shape. Slice into 12 even rounds with a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to avoid squashing the swirls. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover and let them rise again until puffy, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bake rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) while rolls rise. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes until golden brown and set in the center. Check frequently; if the tops brown too quickly but the centers remain doughy, tent with foil to prevent burning and continue baking until done. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Make frosting: While rolls bake and cool slightly, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Spread frosting over the still-warm cinnamon rolls. These rolls are delicious served warm but also taste great cold the next day.
Notes
- A stand mixer makes kneading easier but it is possible to knead by hand.
- Use fresh yeast and ensure it is bubbly and foamy before proceeding to avoid flat dough.
- Leave a border when spreading filling to help seal the roll.
- Using unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls helps keep the spirals intact.
- Tent with foil if rolls brown too fast but remain doughy to avoid burning while finishing baking.
- Serving rolls warm enhances the flavor, but leftovers can be enjoyed cold the next day.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
