Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
User Reviews
4.6
265 reviews
Excellent
Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
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These Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls feature a soft yeast dough enriched with butter, eggs, and sugar, rolled with a sweet apple butter and cinnamon filling. They’re topped with a cream drizzle and a cinnamon cream cheese frosting that balances richness and sweetness. The dough is mixed, rested, kneaded, and includes specific guidance on dough consistency for tender rolls with a satisfying texture.
Description
The process starts by activating yeast in warm milk, then combining it with eggs, melted butter, sugar, salt, and flour to make a tacky yet cohesive dough. After resting, the dough is kneaded until elastic and smooth, with some stickiness desired to prevent dryness. The dough is then rolled out and spread with a cinnamon-spiced apple butter and brown sugar filling. After shaping and slicing, the rolls bake until golden and tender.
Two kinds of toppings enhance the rolls: a simple cream drizzle made from heavy cream and a sweet cinnamon cream cheese frosting combining cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and cinnamon for a smooth, spreadable finish. The frosting adds a creamy tang that complements the warm spices and apple flavors.
Serving suggestions include enjoying them fresh and warm, and smaller or larger pans can be used depending on desired roll size. The recipe notes detail temperature guidelines for yeast activation appropriate for the yeast brand used, alternatives for the cream drizzle if dairy is limited, and calorie estimates based on 12 rolls. Adjustments in the recipe can customize sweetness and roll size.
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Ingredients
Rolls:
- 1 cup milk warmed to 110-115ºFahrenheit, 2% or higher fat
- 1 package yeast or any instant yeast, Red Star Platinum brand
- 2 large egg room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter Melted, but make sure it isn't over 110º Fahrenheit. Just softened is fine, salted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Filling:
- 1 cup apple butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Cream drizzle:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Frosting:
- 6 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 5 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast overtop.
- Add the eggs, butter and sugar. Mix until combined.
- Add in salt and 4 cups (save the other 1/2 cup and add only if you need it) of flour and mix using the beater blade just until the ingredients are barely combined. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes so the flour has time to soak up the liquids.
- Scrape the dough off the beater blade and remove it. Attach the dough hook.
- Beat the dough on medium speed, adding in up to 1/2 cup more flour if needed to form a dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth. **The dough should be tacky and will still be sticking to the sides of the bowl. That's ok! Don't be tempted to add more flour at this point. We generally add about 4 1/2 cups, but start with 4 cups.
- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray.
- Use a rubber spatula to remove the dough from the mixer bowl and place it in the greased large bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a towel or wax paper.
- Set the bowl in a warm place and allow the dough to rise until double. I like to turn on the oven to the lowest setting for 1-2 minutes. Then turn off the oven and place the dough to rise in there. It normally takes about 30 minutes for the dough to rise. Do not allow the dough to rise too much or your cinnamon rolls will be airy.
- Sprinkle a pastry mat generously with flour. Turn out the dough onto the pastry mat and sprinkle the top of the dough with additional flour.
- Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough to about a 24×15" rectangle. (the size of the rectangle can vary…it does not have to be exact!)
- Spread the apple butter to cover the dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the top.
- Starting on the long end, roll the dough up tightly jelly roll style.
- Cut into 12 slices and place in a greased 9×13 baking pan.****
- Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise for 20 minutes or until nearly double.
- Preheat the oven to 375º Fahrenheit.
- Warm the heavy cream until the chill is off. Don’t make it hot…you just don’t want it cold. It should be warm to the touch.
- Once the rolls have risen, pour the heavy cream over the top of the rolls, allowing it to soak down in and around the rolls.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the rolls are lightly golden brown and the center rolls are cooked through. Note…the time will vary based on how big the rolls are, what type of pan, how close the rolls are packed, etc. Check the rolls at 20 minutes. If they are getting too browned, cover loosely with foil for the remaining baking time.
- While they are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter using a hand mixer. Blend well.
- Add in the powdered sugar and cinnamon. Beat until combined.
- Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Follow specific yeast temperature guidelines for proofing based on the yeast brand used to ensure proper rise.
- Substitute heavy cream in the drizzle with half and half, coffee creamer, evaporated milk, whole milk, or coconut cream if needed.
- For smaller rolls, cut into 15 slices and use a 10×15-inch pan for more even rising.
- Calorie counts are estimates based on the recipe yielding 12 rolls; ingredient brands and quantities affect values.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
558kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
90g
(30%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
82mg
(27%)
Sodium
378mg
(16%)
Potassium
156mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
51g
(102%)
Vitamin A
658IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
76mg
(8%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 558kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 90g | 30% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 378mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 156mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 51g | 102% |
| Vitamin A | 658IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 76mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
265 reviews
Excellent
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