Spiced Apple Cinnamon Rolls

These spiced apple cinnamon rolls have a fluffy brioche dough filled with cinnamon sugar and spiced apples, then topped with tangy cream cheese frosting! They're the perfect fall brunch treat!

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Rising Time 2

Total Time 2 50

Servings

Calories 581kcal

Author Kyleigh Sage

Equipment

Ingredients

Spiced Apple Filling

2 large apples
¼ cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water cold

Dough

4 cups all purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste substitute vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter melted

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste substitute vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk as needed

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Spiced Apple Filling

Peel and finely dice the apples.
Add the diced apples to a large pot over medium heat, along with the brown sugar, lemon juice cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Cook gently over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the apples have softened.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the cold water then add to the apples and stir until the mixture thickens. Taste and adjust flavorings if needed.
Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.

Dough

Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine all dough ingredients (flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, salt, vanilla bean paste, milk, eggs, and, butter) and mix on a low speed until the dough comes together as a smooth cohesive mass (5-10 minutes).
The dough should be slightly sticky. If it's too dry and won't come together, add an additional tablespoon or two of milk. If the dough is too sticky, add in an additional tablespoon or two of flour.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours; it should roughly double in size.

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

While the dough is rising prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix together until it forms a thick paste. Set aside.

Assembly

Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a large 13x15 inch rectangle. Try to make the edges as even as possible. If the dough keeps shrinking back as you roll it out, cover and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to help the gluten relax before rolling again.
Spread the brown sugar filling in an even layer over the top of dough, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the long end (this helps to seal the log).
Then spread the cooled spiced apple filling evenly over the dough.
Beginning at the long end, roll up tightly and pinch to seal. Trim about ½ inch off of each end so that the log is 12 inches long.
For even slices, measure the dough and score the top at even intervals (about 1 inch apart).
Then using a very sharp serrated knife (or unflavored dental floss) cut the log into 12 1-inch pieces. [To cut with dental floss, break off a long piece and carefully slide underneath the dough. Then pull the ends of the floss and cross over the top. Pull gently to slice cleanly through the dough.]
Arrange the apple cinnamon rolls in the greased baking dish.
Same Day Option: Cover loosely and let rise at room temperature for about 1 hour or until the dough has puffed up and filled in some of the empty space.
Overnight Option: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rise overnight (8-16 hours). The next morning, remove from the fridge at let rise at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake the apple cinnamon rolls for 20-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The filling will be bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly while you make the glaze.

Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls are baking, beat the room temperature cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and there are no lumps. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and mix until fully combined.
Add in 2-4 tablespoons of milk or cream a little bit at a time until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm spiced apple cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Notes

Cover and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be stored either frosted or unfrosted!

Pop in the microwave for about 30 seconds and they'll taste like they just came out of the oven!

Nutrition