Description
These Best Apple Cinnamon Rolls offer a delightful combination of fluffy, tender dough and a flavorful apple cinnamon filling. Easy to make and perfectly sweetened, they are ideal for breakfast or brunch, bursting with warm spices and juicy apples in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 2/3 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup bread flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 1 2/3 cups diced Gala apple, peeled and cored
- 1/4 cup apple butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons cold water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup warm water, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons instant yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Form Dough: Add 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually sift in 3 2/3 cups plus 1/4 cup bread flour, mixing until it starts to come together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-15 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl and place the kneaded dough inside, turning once to coat with oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Peel, core, and finely dice the apples. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine diced apples, 1/4 cup apple butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften and the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Thicken and Cool Filling: Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the apple mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the filling thickens to a glossy, jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to cool completely to room temperature.
- Assemble Rolls: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release air. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into an 18×12 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long edge.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long edge opposite the filling-free border, carefully and tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam closed to seal. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, slice the log into 12 equal pieces approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.
- Second Rise: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and arrange the slices with a small space between each. Cover loosely with a towel or plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30-45 minutes, until the rolls have puffed up and are nearly touching.
- Bake Rolls: About 15 minutes before the second rise ends, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the covering from the rolls and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the apple cinnamon rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best flavor and texture. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
- Ensure the water used for activating yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Feel free to substitute Gala apples with other sweet varieties such as Fuji or Honeycrisp.
- For softer rolls, cover them with a damp cloth during the second rise to prevent drying out.
- You can add a cream cheese or vanilla glaze on top for an extra decadent touch.
- Leftover rolls warm up well in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cinnamon rolls, fluffy cinnamon rolls, sweet apple pastry, easy cinnamon rolls, homemade rolls, breakfast rolls
