Heavenly Gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: Sweet Morning Magic

Warm, freshly baked apple cinnamon rolls with their irresistible homemade apple cinnamon rolls aroma waft through the kitchen, promising pure comfort.

Sweet spices dance with tender apple chunks, creating a morning treat that beckons everyone to the table.

Soft dough spirals around a rich filling of caramelized fruit and warm cinnamon.

Butter melts into every delicate fold, ensuring each bite delivers maximum deliciousness.

These rolls transform an ordinary breakfast into a memorable morning celebration.

Drizzled with a creamy glaze, they offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this ultimate breakfast indulgence.

Ingredients Behind Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient that provides structure and creates the perfect soft roll texture with incredible elasticity.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity for balanced dough development.

• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that makes dough rise and creates airy, fluffy texture with incredible lifting power.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast, promotes fermentation, and adds subtle sweetness to enhance overall flavor profile.

• Warm Milk: Provides necessary liquid for dough hydration and creates ideal environment for yeast activation.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor, creates tender crumb, and helps develop smooth dough consistency.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients together, adds richness, and contributes to golden color and soft texture.

Equipment for Apple Cinnamon Rolls That Melt in Your Mouth

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
• Stand mixer or wooden spoon: Helps mix and knead dough efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for accurate recipe.
• Rolling pin: Needed to roll out dough into a flat rectangle.
• 9×13 inch baking pan: Perfect for baking and serving cinnamon rolls.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising process.
• Sharp knife or pastry cutter: Helps slice rolls evenly.
• Pastry brush (optional): Useful for spreading melted butter.

How to Roll and Bake Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• Activate the Yeast

Warm up milk and blend with sugar and yeast. Allow the mixture to get bubbly and fragrant for about 5 minutes.

• Create the Dough Base

Pour in melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix thoroughly with flour until a smooth texture develops. Keep kneading until the dough feels soft and elastic.

• Let the Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container. Cover and let it expand in a cozy spot for roughly an hour. The dough should look puffy and nearly doubled.

• Prepare Apple Cinnamon Filling

Dice fresh apples into tiny cubes. Mix with ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and a touch of nutmeg. Set aside while preparing the roll surface.

• Roll and Shape

Flatten the risen dough into a large rectangle. Spread softened butter across the surface. Sprinkle apple cinnamon mixture evenly.

• Cut and Arrange Rolls

Roll the dough tightly from the long edge. Slice into even sections. Place rolls in a greased baking pan with space between each one.

• Final Rise and Bake

Allow rolls to puff up for another 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown and the kitchen smells heavenly.

• Glaze and Serve

Drizzle with a sweet cream cheese frosting while warm. Enjoy these delectable rolls with a hot cup of coffee.

Tips to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls Even Cozier

• Pro Rising Trick: Cover dough with a warm, damp towel to help it rise faster and more evenly, creating softer, fluffier rolls.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the right texture and rise in the rolls.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking for fresh morning pastries.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute dairy milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk, and use plant-based butter to make the recipe completely dairy-free without losing rich flavor.
• Spice Level Up: Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom in the filling to enhance the apple cinnamon flavor profile and add depth to the rolls.

Ways to Serve Apple Cinnamon Rolls Warm

• Brunch Bliss Platter: Serve these warm rolls alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit for a decadent weekend breakfast spread that'll wow your guests.
• Dessert Companion: Pair these apple cinnamon rolls with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent after-dinner treat that melts in your mouth.
• Coffee Shop Style: Create a cozy café experience by plating the rolls on a rustic wooden board, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a small side of caramel sauce for dipping.
• Make-Ahead Morning Magic: Prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free, aromatic breakfast that'll make everyone jump out of bed.

Keep Apple Cinnamon Rolls Fresh Longer

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store rolled and unbaked cinnamon rolls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavor development and convenient prep.
• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before serving for fresh-baked taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough and filling components up to 3 days in advance, keeping them separately sealed in the refrigerator to maintain optimal texture and quality.
• Room Temperature Care: After baking, leave apple cinnamon rolls at room temperature for 1-2 days, covering loosely with a clean kitchen towel to prevent drying while maintaining soft texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 12

Gooey Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade apple cinnamon rolls blend sweet-tart Granny Smith apples with classic cinnamon swirl dough. Warm rolls fresh from the oven offer pure comfort and comfort for bakers seeking a delightful weekend breakfast treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 egg
• 1 packet (7 g / 0.25 oz) instant yeast
• 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (180 mL) warm milk
• ¼ cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled & diced
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tsps cinnamon
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Blend warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl, letting the mixture bloom and develop a frothy texture for 5 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Merge melted butter, egg, salt, and initial flour, creating a unified mixture that gradually transforms into a cohesive dough through vigorous mixing and kneading.
3. Dough Conditioning: Develop the dough’s elasticity by thoroughly working in remaining flour, achieving a silky-smooth texture either through hand manipulation or stand mixer technique.
4. First Rise: Nestle the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover completely, and allow it to luxuriate in a warm environment, expanding substantially for approximately one hour until doubled in volume.
5. Filling Preparation: Craft a vibrant apple cinnamon blend by finely chopping crisp apples and infusing them with aromatic ground cinnamon, creating a rich, fragrant mixture.
6. Dough Shaping: Gently deflate the risen dough, then gracefully roll it into an expansive rectangular canvas on a lightly dusted surface.
7. Filling Distribution: Lavishly spread the apple cinnamon mixture across the dough, ensuring an even coating while maintaining a delicate border around the edges.
8. Rolling and Cutting: Execute a precise roll, transforming the dough into a compact log, then skillfully slice into individual rounds with smooth, deliberate movements.
9. Final Proofing and Baking: Arrange the rolls in a prepared baking dish, allowing them a final opportunity to rise and become delightfully puffy before introducing them to the oven’s transformative heat.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Carefully: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to prevent killing the yeast, which requires a warm but not hot environment for proper activation.
• Handle Dough Gently: Knead the dough minimally to maintain softness, avoiding overworking which can make rolls tough and dense.
• Manage Apple Moisture: Pat diced apples dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the rolls soggy during baking.
• Control Rising Conditions: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water to create optimal rising conditions for perfect texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 284
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 132 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg