If you are looking for an irresistible treat that exudes warmth and cozy flavors, then this Soft Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Creamy Frosting Recipe will quickly become your new favorite indulgence. These cinnamon rolls are so soft and gooey, packed with luscious spiced apple butter, and finished with a dreamy, rich cream cheese frosting that simply melts in your mouth. Baking these rolls is a comforting weekend project that fills your kitchen with inviting aromas and promises a slice of happiness in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully straightforward yet totally essential to getting that perfect balance of doughy softness, sweet spice, and creamy topping that makes these rolls unforgettable.
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed: Creates a tender dough and activates the yeast.
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast: Ensures your dough rises beautifully and becomes fluffy.
- 2 large eggs, room temperature: Adds richness and structure to the rolls.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled: Provides moisture and melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough to balance the spice.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy yet tender base for your rolls.
- ¾ cup thick apple butter: Brings deep, spiced fruitiness straight from the jar to your rolls.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar: Adds caramel notes that pair perfectly with cinnamon.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: The heart of this recipe’s warm spice profile.
- ½ cup heavy cream, warmed: Poured over the rolls to keep them luscious while baking.
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened: For the decadently creamy frosting topper.
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened: Combines with cream cheese to add silkiness to frosting.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting into a dreamy spread.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Incorporated into the frosting for a consistent cinnamon kick.
How to Make Soft Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Creamy Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Activate and Mix the Yeast
Start by combining the warm milk and instant yeast in a large bowl and let it stand for about two minutes. You’ll want to wait until it gets nice and foamy—that’s how you know your yeast is active and ready to help the dough rise beautifully.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Whisk eggs, cooled melted butter, sugar, and salt into the foamy yeast mixture. This blend brings moisture, flavor, and a tender crumb to the dough while preparing the base for those tender cinnamon rolls.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Gradually stir in 4 cups of flour until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky during kneading (about 5 to 7 minutes), sprinkle in a little more flour bit by bit. The goal is a dough that’s soft but manageable and not overly sticky.
Step 4: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it up, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which should take around 45 minutes. This rise is critical—it builds that airy softness we all crave in cinnamon rolls.
Step 5: Roll Out and Add Apple Butter Filling
Roll the dough into a sizable rectangle, roughly 24 by 15 inches. Spread that thick, spiced apple butter evenly across the surface—this is where the moist, tangy apple flavor really shines through and elevates your cinnamon rolls.
Step 6: Sprinkle the Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Next, sprinkle the entire surface with light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This sugary spice layer melts during baking to create pockets of sweet gooeyness nestled inside each roll.
Step 7: Roll and Slice
Roll the dough tightly starting from the long edge to form a log. Cut this log into 12 equal rolls. This tight rolling guarantees swirls packed with apple butter and cinnamon goodness in every single bite.
Step 8: Second Rise and Cream Drizzle
Place your cinnamon rolls into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish, cover, and let them rise for another 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F. When ready, warm the heavy cream and pour it evenly over the top of the rolls—this step keeps your rolls irresistibly moist as they bake.
Step 9: Bake
Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn lightly golden and are cooked through. Your kitchen will smell amazing by now, and the rolls will look perfectly puffed and inviting.
Step 10: Make the Creamy Cinnamon Frosting
While rolls are baking, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and luscious. Once the rolls are out of the oven and still warm, spread this frosting generously on top. The frosting melts into the rolls slightly, creating that velvety finish everyone dreams of in a cinnamon roll.
How to Serve Soft Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Creamy Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts adds a delightful crunch contrast to the soft rolls. You can also dust a little extra cinnamon on top for an aromatic touch, or add thin apple slices to highlight the apple butter flavor visually.
Side Dishes
This treat pairs beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to balance the rolls’ sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, present the rolls warm nestled in a rustic basket lined with a checked cloth for a cozy, homey vibe. You can also serve each roll individually on pretty plates topped with an extra dollop of cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for that wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain softness. For longer storage, refrigeration is fine but bring to room temperature or warm gently before serving.
Freezing
These cinnamon rolls freeze wonderfully! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them gently before frosting to enjoy freshly baked taste anytime.
Reheating
For the best warm and gooey experience, reheat rolls in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, microwave covered rolls for 20-30 seconds but be careful not to dry them out—adding a small cup of water next to them in the microwave helps keep moisture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought apple butter for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using store-bought apple butter is a time-saving shortcut and still delivers that rich spiced apple flavor that makes these cinnamon rolls special.
What type of flour works best for these rolls?
All-purpose flour is ideal here for its balanced protein content, which helps create the soft but structured dough these rolls need.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
You can try using plant-based milk and butter substitutes, along with a vegan cream cheese alternative and egg replacer. Keep in mind the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
Why do we pour warmed heavy cream over the rolls before baking?
The warmed cream seeps into the dough, keeping the rolls moist and tender as they bake, helping create that irresistibly gooey interior.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?
Yes! After the first rise, punch down the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it to room temperature before rolling and filling to ensure easier handling and good rise in the oven.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about pulling these Soft Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Creamy Frosting Recipe fresh from the oven—a perfect blend of tender dough, spiced apple filling, and silky frosting that invites smiles with every bite. Whether for a weekend treat or special occasion brunch, these rolls are sure to delight you and anyone lucky enough to share them. Give this recipe a try, and get ready to fall in love with cinnamon rolls all over again!
Print
Soft Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls With Creamy Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft, gooey cinnamon rolls filled with spiced apple butter and topped with a smooth, creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a weekend baking project, these rolls offer a wonderful balance of sweet apple flavor and warm cinnamon spice within tender, fluffy dough.
Ingredients
Yeast Dough
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- ¾ cup thick apple butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cream Drizzle
- ½ cup heavy cream, warmed
Cinnamon Frosting
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Add the warm milk and instant yeast to a large mixing bowl. Let it stand for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine wet ingredients: Whisk in the eggs, melted and cooled butter, granulated sugar, and kosher salt until well combined into the yeast mixture.
- Form dough: Add 4 cups of the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes, adding more flour only if it feels overly sticky, until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
- Roll out dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a large rectangle approximately 24 by 15 inches in size.
- Add filling: Spread the thick apple butter evenly over the dough’s surface.
- Sprinkle spices: Evenly sprinkle light brown sugar and ground cinnamon over the apple butter layer.
- Shape rolls: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal-sized rolls.
- Second rise: Place the rolls into a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add cream drizzle: Warm the heavy cream and pour it evenly over the risen rolls to keep them moist and add richness during baking.
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and cooked through.
- Prepare frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and ground cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
- Frost and serve: Spread the creamy cinnamon frosting over the warm rolls before serving for a luscious finish.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast.
- The dough should be soft but not sticky; use additional flour sparingly.
- Letting the rolls rise twice ensures a fluffy texture.
- Apple butter adds a deeply spiced, concentrated apple flavor; substitute with thick applesauce if needed but reduce sugar accordingly.
- For best flavor, serve the rolls warm and fresh out of the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
