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Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 118 reviews

Soft Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls combine a tender, brioche-style dough with a luscious apple filling and toasted pecans, all rolled up with brown sugar cinnamon butter. Finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting, these cinnamon rolls offer a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and buttery flavors in every bite, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

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Brioche Dough

  • 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

Apple Filling

  • 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

Toasted Pecans

  • 125g pecan halves

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

  • 190g unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 280g brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 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

  1. Make the Brioche Dough: In a medium bowl, combine lukewarm milk, 25g sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 10-15 minutes until foamy. In the mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, mix flour, salt, and remaining sugar briefly. Add milk mixture and eggs; mix on low for 2-3 minutes, then medium speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add butter, mixing until smooth and soft dough forms, about 7-10 minutes. Shape dough into a ball, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight until doubled, or let rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Apple Filling: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, and salt; cook stirring frequently until apples are tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in corn starch and cook until thickened and apples coated. Transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to use.
  3. Toast Pecans: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread pecans on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Toast for about 10 minutes, shaking occasionally, until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and store until assembly.
  4. Make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
  5. Assemble the Rolls: Grease or line a 9”x13” (23cm x 33cm) baking dish with parchment. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a 24” x 16” (60cm x 40cm) rectangle, trimming edges as needed. Evenly spread brown sugar cinnamon filling over dough. Spread apple filling evenly over the brown sugar layer. Roughly chop toasted pecans and sprinkle on top.
  6. Roll and Chill: Starting with a long side, roll dough tightly into a spiral. Cut log in half and place pieces side by side on a parchment-lined baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 20 minutes to firm up (optional but helps for cleaner slicing).
  7. Cut Cinnamon Rolls: Remove from freezer, slice each log into 6 equal pieces with a sharp knife. Arrange rolls in the prepared pan with space between. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 45-60 minutes until puffy and a gentle finger poke leaves slight indentation.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake rolls for 35-40 minutes, until deeply golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes before frosting.
  9. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese in mixer with paddle attachment until smooth. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and salt; whip until light and fluffy.
  10. Finish: Spread frosting on warm rolls. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Rewarm gently in the microwave before serving.

Notes

  • Allow the dough to chill overnight for better flavor development and easier handling.
  • Freezing the rolled logs before slicing is optional but recommended for neater rolls.
  • Use firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor.
  • Store leftover rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Reheat leftover rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a fresh-baked feel.

Keywords: apple cinnamon rolls, soft cinnamon rolls, brioche dough, apple filling, cream cheese frosting, toasted pecans, breakfast pastries

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/soft-baked-apple-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/