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Freshly baked apple cinnamon rolls with a generous layer of white icing, accompanied by cinnamon sticks on a wooden surface.

Irresistible Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing

These irresistible apple cinnamon rolls feature a soft, fluffy dough, a sweet apple and cinnamon sugar filling, and are topped with a decadent brown butter maple icing, making them a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
  • 2 Honeycrisp apples chopped
Icing
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 6 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Stand mixer
  • Dough hook
  • Plastic wrap
  • Bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Sharp knife
  • Oven
  • Pot
  • Whisk

Method
 

Dough Preparation
  1. In a stand mixer, combine milk, yeast, and brown sugar; let sit until bubbly. Add butter, eggs, flour, and salt, then mix with a dough hook for 4-5 minutes, adding more flour if needed until smooth.
First Rise
  1. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Filling & Dish Prep
  1. Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Assemble Rolls & Second Rise
  1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 12x18 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with chopped apples and the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge, pinch to seal, and cut into 12-15 rolls before placing them into the prepared baking dish. Cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
Bake Rolls
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Prepare Icing & Serve
  1. While the rolls bake, make the icing by browning 4 tablespoons of butter in a pot over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until toasted. Whisk the browned butter into a bowl with cream cheese, maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Spread the warm icing over the warm baked rolls before serving.

Notes

Ensure your yeast is active before proceeding with the dough. Do not overmix the dough, as it can make the rolls tough. For best results, allow the rolls to cool slightly before icing to prevent the icing from melting too much.