Get ready to fall in love with the most amazing apple cinnamon rolls ever! These rolls are incredibly soft and fluffy, bursting with the flavors of apple cider, gooey apple butter, and warm cinnamon, all topped with a heavenly apple cider cream cheese frosting.
Why these apple cinnamon rolls are the absolute best:
- They’re packed with apple goodness! From the apple cider-infused dough to the brown sugar-apple butter-cinnamon filling and the apple cider cream cheese frosting, every bite is a delicious explosion of warm spiced apple flavor.
- Prepare yourself for the softest rolls you’ve ever tasted. These treats are like little pillows of doughy, buttery, sweet cinnamon perfection.
- Making these rolls is a blast! While they do require some time, the process is half the fun. There’s something magical about working with yeast dough and seeing it rise into a scrumptious treat. It’s a rewarding baking experience that will make you feel like a kitchen wizard!
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Apple Cider Reduction:
- 3 cups apple cider 720 ml
For the Apple Cider Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk warmed to about 110 degrees (240 ml)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar to bloom the yeast
- 4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled (593 g)
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar 25 g
- 2 eggs whisked
- ½ cup unsalted butter very softened (112 g)
- ½ tablespoon vanilla
- ¼ cup apple cider reduction from above 60 ml
For the Apple Butter Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup unsalted butter very softened (112 g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed (220 g)
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup apple butter 95 g
- ¼ cup heavy cream at room temperature (60 ml)
For the Apple Cider Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter very softened (84 g)
- 6 oz cream cheese cold (170 g)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar 195 g
- ¼ cup apple cider reduction from above 60 ml
Instructions
For the Apple Cider Reduction:
- In a saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes until it reduces to ½ cup (120 ml). Let it cool before using.
For the Apple Cider Dough:
- Bloom the yeast by mixing it with sugar and warm milk. Let it sit until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and sugar.
- Add eggs, vanilla, softened butter, yeast mixture, and apple cider reduction to the dry ingredients. Knead until a smooth dough forms. Let it rise until doubled in size.
For the Apple Butter Cinnamon Filling:
- Mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and apple butter.
Assembling and Baking:
- Roll out the dough, spread the filling, roll it up, and slice into rolls. Place in a greased casserole dish, pour cream between rolls, and let them rise.
- Bake until golden brown.
For the Apple Cider Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Mix softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and apple cider reduction until smooth.
- Once the rolls are baked, slather them with the cream cheese frosting and enjoy the deliciousness!