Start your day with the warm, comforting flavors of baked apple cinnamon rolls. These soft, gooey rolls are filled with a rich cinnamon brown sugar filling, tender cooked apples, and toasted pecans, all topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast or a special treat any time, these baked apple cinnamon rolls will leave everyone at the table smiling.
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Why These Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls Are a Must-Try
Baked apple cinnamon rolls are the perfect blend of comfort and flavor. This recipe is quick enough for a weekend breakfast but special enough for a holiday morning. The dough is soft and buttery, the apple filling is sweet and spiced, and the cream cheese frosting adds a rich, tangy finish that perfectly balances the sweetness. Plus, this recipe is versatile, making it easy to prepare the components ahead of time and assemble them just before baking.
Ingredients for Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Brioche Dough: This rich, buttery dough is the foundation of the rolls, providing a soft, slightly sweet base.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth to the cinnamon filling.
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice to the filling.
- Apple Pie Filling: Diced apples cooked with sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of cornstarch for a thick, flavorful filling.
- Toasted Pecans: Optional, but these add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the rolls.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: A smooth, creamy topping made with butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking to make these rolls your own, here are some ingredient swaps:
- Gluten-Free Flour: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
- Dairy-Free: Use non-dairy butter and cream cheese alternatives for a dairy-free option.
- Other Nuts: If pecans aren’t your favorite, try walnuts or almonds for a different twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Prepare the Brioche Dough: Start by mixing lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit until foamy. In a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, and the yeast mixture. Add eggs and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth. Let it rise in the fridge overnight or for at least two hours.
- Make the Apple Pie Filling: In a pan, melt butter and cook diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Once the apples are soft, add cornstarch to thicken the mixture. Let it cool.
- Toast the Pecans: Preheat your oven and toast the pecans for about 10 minutes until golden. Allow them to cool and chop them roughly.
- Assemble the Rolls: Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the dough, then layer the apple pie filling and toasted pecans on top. Roll the dough tightly and slice it into 12 rolls.
- Second Rise: Place the rolls on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Bake the Cinnamon Rolls: Preheat the oven and bake the rolls for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Whip together butter and cream cheese, then add powdered sugar and a little heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve while still gooey and delicious.
Tips for Perfect Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Don’t Overfill the Rolls: Be careful not to overstuff the rolls with apple filling or cinnamon paste. This can cause them to spill out during baking, leading to uneven rolls.
- Proper Rise Time: Make sure to give the rolls enough time to rise, both during the second rise and while the dough is chilling. This step ensures that the rolls will bake up soft and fluffy.
- Use a Thermometer: To check doneness, use an instant-read thermometer. The rolls are done when they reach an internal temperature of 190°F (90°C).
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Baked apple cinnamon rolls pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or a hot mug of apple cider. You can also serve them with a side of crispy bacon or fresh fruit to balance out the sweetness. If you’re looking to switch things up, try making a spicy version by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the filling. For an extra indulgence, drizzle some caramel sauce over the top along with the cream cheese frosting.
The Perfect Holiday Breakfast
These baked apple cinnamon rolls are an ideal breakfast for any special occasion. They’re easy to prepare ahead of time and bake fresh when you’re ready to serve. Whether it’s Thanksgiving morning, Christmas breakfast, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cinnamon rolls will impress your family and guests alike.
With their gooey, spiced filling and rich cream cheese frosting, these rolls are a showstopper and the perfect way to start the day.
Conclusion
Baked apple cinnamon rolls are the ultimate indulgence for any morning, combining the sweetness of spiced apples with a soft, buttery dough and the richness of cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re preparing them for a special holiday breakfast or just because, these rolls are sure to bring comfort and joy to everyone at the table. With a little preparation the night before, you can enjoy these fresh, warm rolls with minimal effort in the morning, making them an excellent choice for busy mornings or festive gatherings. Don’t forget to experiment with variations to make them your own, and enjoy the process of creating this delicious breakfast treat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make baked apple cinnamon rolls the night before?
Yes! One of the great things about this recipe is that you can prepare the components ahead of time. You can make the dough, apple filling, and toasted pecans the night before. The next morning, simply assemble the rolls, let them rise, and bake them for a quick and easy breakfast.
Can I use store-bought dough for these cinnamon rolls?
While homemade brioche dough adds a wonderful texture and flavor, you can absolutely use store-bought dough as a shortcut. Just be sure to roll it out and fill it with the brown sugar cinnamon mixture and apple filling before baking.
How do I store leftovers of baked apple cinnamon rolls?
Leftover baked apple cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
More Relevant Recipes
PrintBaked Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Baked apple cinnamon rolls are the ultimate indulgence for any morning, combining the sweetness of spiced apples with a soft, buttery dough and the richness of cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast or a special treat any time of the year, these rolls are sure to delight everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 250g whole milk (lukewarm)
- 50g granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dried yeast
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 565g all-purpose flour
- 100g unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 850g apples (about four medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced)
- 30g unsalted butter (for apple filling)
- 80g granulated sugar (for apple filling)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for apple filling)
- ¼ tsp kosher salt (for apple filling)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for apple filling)
- 125g pecan halves (toasted)
- 190g unsalted butter (for cinnamon filling)
- 280g brown sugar
- 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt (for cinnamon filling)
- 115g unsalted butter (for cream cheese frosting)
- 225g cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 250g powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1–2 tbsp heavy whipping cream (for frosting)
- ½ tsp kosher salt (for frosting)
Instructions
- Prepare the brioche dough by mixing lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until foamy.
- Combine flour, salt, and yeast mixture in a stand mixer. Add eggs and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth. Let rise in the fridge overnight or for 2 hours.
- Make the apple pie filling by cooking diced apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a pan. Add cornstarch to thicken the mixture. Let it cool.
- Toast the pecans in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let cool and chop them roughly.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the dough. Layer the apple pie filling and toasted pecans on top.
- Roll the dough tightly and slice into 12 rolls. Place the rolls on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, cover, and let them rise for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before frosting.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting by whipping together butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and salt. Whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the dough rises properly for a soft and fluffy texture.
- If the dough is difficult to roll, chill it briefly to firm it up.
- For a smoother frosting, use room-temperature butter and cream cheese.
- To check the doneness of the rolls, use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should be 190°F (90°C).
- You can prepare the components the night before to save time in the morning.
