Description
These Apple Crumble Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic soft and fluffy cinnamon roll dough with a delightful apple filling, a crunchy spiced crumble topping, and luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or dessert, these rolls offer a wonderful balance of sweet, tart, and spice with an irresistible texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 1 teaspoon dry active yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warm
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4-5½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Apple Filling
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 6 apples (mix of sweet and tart), peeled and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling (Cinnamon Sugar)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted slightly
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Dough: In a large bowl, combine yeast, granulated sugar, and warm milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy and bubbling. Add eggs and melted butter and stir to combine. Incorporate 4 cups of flour and salt, mixing until integrated. Gradually add remaining flour by ¼ cup increments until the dough cleans the bowl sides but may stick slightly on the bottom. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
- Make the Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with granulated and brown sugars. Add chopped apples, salt, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Roll Out the Dough and Assemble: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and set aside. Place the risen dough on a floured surface and roll into a 15×20 inch rectangle. Spread the softened melted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Spoon the apple filling evenly across the dough.
- Form the Rolls: Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss, cut into 12 equal rolls. Arrange the rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking pan.
- Proof the Rolls: For immediate baking, cover rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. For overnight preparation, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The next morning, allow rolls to come to room temperature and rise until doubled, which may take a few hours.
- Bake the Cinnamon Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake rolls for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C). If rolls brown too quickly on top, tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until fully combined. Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Make the Crumble Topping: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in melted butter until just combined. Spread crumble mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway to break up clumps, until crumble is slightly hardened and golden but not burnt. Cool completely.
- Add the Crumble Topping & Store: Sprinkle the cooled crumble topping over the frosted cinnamon rolls. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Flour quantities vary based on humidity; start with 4 cups and add gradually until dough is manageable and not sticky if using a stand mixer.
- Use a serrated knife or plain, unflavored dental floss to cut the cinnamon rolls for clean edges.
- These rolls can be prepared the same day or made as overnight rolls for convenience and enhanced flavor.
- Cream cheese frosting is preferred, but if disliked, substitute with a simple glaze made from 2 cups powdered sugar mixed with 4-5 tablespoons milk poured over the rolls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
