Description
Delicious Apple Crumble Cinnamon Rolls feature a tender, buttery yeasted dough filled with spiced sautéed apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar, topped with a buttery crumble and a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for a sweet breakfast or dessert, these rolls combine warm cinnamon flavors with a delightful crunchy topping and luscious glaze for a cozy treat.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (about 115 degrees F, 8 ounces)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast (Red Star Platinum Baking Yeast recommended)
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup salted butter (melted or softened, 4 ounces)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 1 teaspoon salt (6 grams)
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour (divided, 585 grams)
Apple Filling
- 8 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and diced, about 6 cups)
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (42 grams)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar (70 grams)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (67 grams)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (12 grams)
Filling Spread
- 5 tablespoons salted butter (almost melted, 70 grams)
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (150 grams)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (8 grams)
Crumble Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (98 grams)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (100 grams)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup salted butter (melted, 2 ounces)
Assembly and Baking
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (warmed, for pouring over risen rolls)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar (130 grams)
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Pour the warm milk into the stand mixer bowl and sprinkle the instant dry yeast over it. Allow to sit briefly to let the yeast activate.
- Mix wet ingredients: Add the eggs, softened butter, and granulated sugar to the yeast mixture. Mix until combined thoroughly.
- Add dry ingredients: Incorporate salt and 4 cups of flour into the mixture using the beater blade just until combined, then let rest for 5 minutes to hydrate the flour.
- Knead the dough: Remove the beater blade and attach the dough hook. Knead on medium speed, gradually adding up to 1/2 cup more flour if needed, for 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and tacky, sticking slightly to the bowl.
- First rise: Transfer dough to a greased large bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and place in a warm environment (such as an oven briefly warmed and turned off) for about 30 minutes or until nearly doubled. Do not over-rise.
- Prepare apple filling: Peel, core, and dice apples. In a high-sided pan or cast iron skillet, melt butter and stir in sugars and cinnamon. Add diced apples and cook on low-medium heat for 12-14 minutes until softened, stirring regularly. Set aside to cool.
- Roll out dough: Generously flour a pastry mat and rolling pin. Turn the dough out and sprinkle additional flour on top. Roll the dough into approximately a 24x15 inch rectangle.
- Spread butter and apple filling: Smooth the almost melted butter evenly over the dough. Spread the cooled apple mixture over the butter, then sprinkle the light brown sugar and cinnamon on top.
- Form rolls: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll. Cut into 12 even slices and arrange them into a greased 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Prepare crumble topping: In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Allow the butter to harden slightly so you can create small crumbly bits.
- Preheat oven and prepare rolls for baking: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Warm the heavy cream until it's just warm to the touch, not hot. Pour it evenly over the risen rolls to soak in.
- Add crumble and bake: Sprinkle the crumble topping over the rolls. Bake for 27-30 minutes, checking at 20 minutes to prevent over-browning. Cover with foil if needed. Rolls should be golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare glaze and finish: Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cinnamon rolls and serve.
Notes
- If using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, sprinkle yeast into the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar and let it activate for 5-10 minutes until foamy before mixing with other ingredients.
- Do not over-flour the dough during kneading to keep it tender; it should remain slightly tacky.
- Allowing the dough to rise in a warm but not hot environment speeds up the rising process without killing the yeast.
- Cooking the apple filling ahead softens the apples and reduces excess moisture in the rolls.
- The crumble topping should be made with slightly hardened butter to provide texture and crunch.
- Check rolls early to avoid burning; adjusting baking time may be necessary depending on oven and pan used.