Apple Cinnamon Rolls

1. Activate the Yeast

In a small mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar in 4 tablespoons of lukewarm water. Let it stand until foamy, which would take about 5–10 minutes. This step ensures your yeast is alive and ready to leaven the dough. If it is not foamy, start with new yeast.

2. Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 550 grams of plain flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 75 grams of caster sugar.

Add the activated yeast, 220 millilitres of lukewarm milk, 30 grams of yogurt, 1 egg, and 75 grams of unsalted butter.

Knead with the dough hook of the mixer for 5–7 minutes (or 8–10 minutes by hand), until a smooth and elastic dough forms. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky, but not sticky.

3. First Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

4. Prepare the Apples

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 75 grams of unsalted butter and 50 grams of caster sugar until slightly caramelized. Add apples, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, pinch of salt and nutmeg, and 50 millilitres of water. Cook 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.

Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, stir it into the apple mixture, and cook 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove the filling from heat and let it cool. Fold in white chocolate chips and toasted walnuts once cooled.

4. Roll out the Dough and Fill

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle ~40x30cm (16’x12′) and about 5-10 millimetres (¼”) thick.

Spread cooled apple filling evenly, leaving a 1 cm border on all sides.

5. Roll up the Dough and Slice

Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully roll the dough into a log shape. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into individual rolls. Aim for 2.5-3.5 cm  (1-1 ½”) thick. Arrange the sliced rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving some space between them for the second rise. Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and leave them to rest for half an hour.

6. Preheat the Oven

While the rolls are resting, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) with the rack in the middle position.

7. Bake

Once the oven has reached the desired temperature, place the baking dish in the oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls turn golden brown on top. After baking, let the cinnamon rolls cool slightly.

8. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, mix 225 grams of softened cream cheese and 115 grams of unsalted butter until a smooth, creamy mixture forms. Gradually, add 250 grams of icing sugar while continuing to beat the mixture. Make sure the sugar is fully incorporated before adding more sugar. Add the vanilla extract if desired, and continue to beat the frosting until it has a smooth and fluffy consistency. Taste the frosting and adjust the sweetness if necessary by adding more icing sugar or vanilla extract. Once your cinnamon rolls are baked and cooled slightly, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over the top.

9. Serve

Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Make sure the rolls are still a bit warm so that the frosting can melt slightly and create a luscious glaze.

Baker’s Tip

If you enjoyed these rolls, my Spring Rolls eBook ist here.

Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Kneading the Dough: Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes by hand, or 5-7 minutes with a dough hook on a stand mixer. Proper kneading develops the gluten and gives the rolls their characteristic soft and chewy texture.

Rising Time: Let the dough rise until it has doubled in volume. This may take approximately 1 hour, but the exact time may vary depending on room temperature. The dough should stand in a warm, draft-free place.

Apple Preparation: Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, which hold their shape well when baked.

Cutting the Rolls: Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the rolls cleanly without squishing them. Dental floss is particularly suitable for clean cuts.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened before mixing to create a smooth, lump-free frosting. Beat everything until creamy, and then gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla extract.

Variations

Experiment with Flavours: Customize the filling by adding raisins, dried cranberries, or pecans instead of walnuts. You can also experiment with different spices, like nutmeg or cardamom, to enhance the flavour profile.

Frosting Variations: Try different frosting variations, like a simple vanilla glaze, caramel drizzle, or maple cream cheese, frosting for a unique touch.

You may also like

Plum Cinnamon Rolls

Braided Sweet Bread

Upside-Down Apple Cake

Conclusion

Whether you serve these apple cinnamon rolls for breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee, as a centrepiece for a casual brunch with friends, or as a sweet ending to a special meal, they’re guaranteed to get rave reviews. So roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven, and treat your taste buds to the irresistible flavours of my homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls!