The Ultimate Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls (Trust Me on This!)

Okay, so who doesn’t love a gooey, warm cinnamon roll on a chilly morning? I mean, c’mon! It’s like a hug in pastry form, right? And these ones? They’re stuffed with apples and pecans and drizzled with cream cheese frosting—like, what’s not to love?

Main dish photo — *The finished dish — looks amazing, right?*

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

Alright, let’s hit the grocery store together, shall we? Here’s what you’ll need:

– 250g whole milk (make sure it’s lukewarm, or it’s a no-go)
– 50g granulated sugar (just a little sweetness)
– 2 1/4 tsp active dried yeast (don’t skip this, trust me)
– 2 large eggs (room temp, please!)
– 1/2 tsp kosher salt (salt is life)
– 565g all-purpose flour (for that fluffy goodness)
– 100g unsalted butter (room temp, we’re not playing)

Now for the filling:
– 850g apples (about four medium ones, peeled and diced small)
– 30g butter (yes, more butter)
– 80g granulated sugar (you know it)
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp kosher salt (again…)
– 1 Tbsp cornstarch (to thicken it up)
– 125g pecan halves (gotta have that crunch)

And for the frosting:
– 190g unsalted butter (room temp!)
– 280g brown sugar (because caramel vibes)
– 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/8 tsp kosher salt
– 115g unsalted butter (yep, more butter)
– 225g cream cheese (at room temp, you know the drill)
– 250g powdered sugar (sweeten the deal)
– 1-2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream (for that drizzle)
– 1/2 tsp kosher salt (can’t stop, won’t stop)

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Let me tell ya a little story. A few Thanksgivings ago, I decided to impress the fam with breakfast. You know how it is—everyone’s groggy, and I’m like, “I’ll whip up some cinnamon rolls!” I was totally winging it, but somehow, they came out AMAZING! I mean, gooey, melty, and the apples? Perfection. My cousin *never* stops talking about them. They were such a hit that now it’s practically a family tradition. If I don’t make ‘em, I’m basically banished. 😂

Another beautiful angle of the dish — *Just as gorgeous from this angle too!*

The One Trick That Changes Everything

Okay, listen up! The key to getting those rolls super soft and pillowy? You gotta let the dough rise properly. Like, don’t rush it! Give it time—at least an hour. And when you think it’s ready? Just let it rise a lil’ more. Seriously, patience is a virtue when it comes to these bad boys.

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

1. Don’t skimp on the yeast. If it’s old, it won’t rise!
2. Check your milk temp. Too hot or too cold? Nope, not happening.
3. Room temp ingredients are your friends. Helps everything mix harmoniously—no one likes a lumpy dough!
4. Watch the baking time! Start checking at 18 minutes, but they usually take around 45. Ovens are sneaky!
5. Don’t forget the corn starch in the apple filling! It’s the magic that keeps it from being soupy.

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

So, if by some miracle, you have leftovers (which is rare), store them in an airtight container at room temp for a couple of days. Or pop ‘em in the fridge if you wanna keep ‘em longer. Just make sure to warm ‘em up a bit before you eat them—like, 10 seconds in the microwave, and they’re back to that gooey goodness.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

If you’re into this kind of cozy baking vibe, you’ve gotta try my:
– Pumpkin Spice Rolls (hello, fall vibes!)
– Classic Cinnamon Buns (a staple, like, forever)
– Chocolate Hazelnut Rolls (for the chocolate lovers, duh!)

So, what’s your go-to breakfast for the fam? Are you team cinnamon roll or something totally different? Let’s chat!

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Soft-Baked Apple Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate indulgence for your Thanksgiving breakfast. These gooey rolls are filled with a warm cinnamon brown sugar mixture, flavorful apple pie filling, and crunchy toasted pecans. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, these delightful treats can be prepared in advance, making your holiday morning effortless and delicious.

Author: XXXXX
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: Makes about 12 rolls 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup whole milk, lukewarm (250g)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
2 1/4 tsp active dried yeast
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 tsp kosher salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (565g)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (100g)
4 medium apples, peeled and diced small (850g)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (30g) for filling
1/3 cup granulated sugar (80g) for filling
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon for filling
1 tbsp cornstarch for filling
1 cup pecan halves (125g)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (190g) for topping
1 1/4 cups brown sugar (280g) for topping
2 tbsp plus 1 tsp ground cinnamon for topping
Pinch of kosher salt for topping
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (115g) for frosting
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature (225g)
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (250g)
1–2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Pinch of kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a bowl, combine lukewarm milk and sugar; sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs and salt; add yeast mixture.
Gradually mix in flour and softened butter until a dough forms. Knead until smooth.
Allow the dough to rise in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap until doubled in size.
For the filling, sauté diced apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch until tender; cool slightly.
Roll out dough into a rectangle; spread apple filling and sprinkle with toasted pecans.
Roll tightly and cut into equal pieces. Arrange in a greased baking dish.
Let rolls rise again until puffy. Bake at preheated oven to 350°F (175°C) for about 25–30 minutes.
For frosting, beat together softened butter and cream cheese; add powdered sugar and whipping cream gradually until smooth.
Frost warm rolls before serving.