You’re probably familiar with cinnamon rolls and apple pie, but have you ever tried combining the two? I can tell you that the result is delicious: soft, sweet apple cinnamon buns that are unforgettable! They’re a treat to make for a lavish weekend breakfast, Easter brunch, or Mother’s Day.
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Why this Recipe Works
These sweet apple cinnamon buns have an apple pie filling and are lightly spiced with a gingerbread spice mix that compliments the apple beautifully.
Apple Cinnamon Buns Ingredients
So, these cinnamon buns with apple filling are not much different from regular cinnamon buns. It starts with a basic dough made with flour, yeast, eggs, milk and sugar. Most of the flavor comes from the cinnamon crumble topping and, of course, the apple filling:
- Apples: I like using firm, slightly sour apples like Kanzi, Braeburn or even Granny Smith if you fancy
- Spices: the filling is flavored with a gingerbread spice mix, this mix usually contains a combination of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and cardamom
- Butter: to stew the apples in, together with sugar and a pinch of salt
- Cornstarch: to bind the filling, make a little slurry and add it to the stewed apples
How to make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
First, you bake the apples with a little sugar and cookie spices to create a creamy, flavorful filling. Sprinkle a crumble topping over the rolls, then decorate them with tasty frosting after baking.
If you ask me, it’s the apple filling that makes these rolls so delicious. I love baking recipes with apples, especially when they’re combined with cinnamon. I like to make this apple crumble for dessert or a luxurious breakfast. For special occasions, I serve my amazing apple sheet cake.
Sweet Cinnamon Buns with Apple
These fantastic rolls are complete with a crumb topping for crunch and delicious frosting on top. It takes them from tasty to mega tasty! The frosting is incredibly easy to make and can be sprinkled over the rolls in no time. I prefer to eat the rolls while they’re still slightly warm, a real treat!
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FAQ Apple Cinnamon Buns
What kind of apples do I use?
I like to use firm, slightly sour apples like Kanzi, Braeburn or even Granny Smith.
Does the dough have to rise?
Yes, for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Depending on the temperature and climate this can either happen sooner or take longer.
What is the white topping?
This is a quick frosting made with milk and powdered sugar, a delicious addition to these buns.
Ingredients
- 7 gram dried yeast
- 175 gram whole milk (lukewarm)
- 50 gram sugar
- 375 gram flour
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 50 gram butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 25 gram butter
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp gingerbread spices
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 75 gram flour
- 50 gram white caster sugar
- 40 gram cold butter (cut into small cubes)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 150 gram powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Food processor
- Baking dish
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
To make the dough:
- Activate the yeast by placing the milk, yeast, and sugar in the mixing bowl of a food processor. Mix together and let stand for a few minutes until it starts to foam.
- Then, add the flour, egg, egg yolk, butter, and salt. Knead into a nice dough using the food processor.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, then grease the bowl lightly with a neutral oil.
- Put the dough back in the bowl and turn it so that it is covered with oil on all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a tea towel, then let it rise for one hour or until the dough doubles in size.
To make the filling:
- Meanwhile, make the filling. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the apples.
- Add the powdered sugar, gingerbread spices, and a pinch of salt.
- Make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with the water and add it to the pan. Cook until the apples are soft. Leave the filling to cool slightly.
To make the crumble topping:
- To finish the rolls, make the crumble topping by mixing all the ingredients together to form a crumble mixture.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 40 x 20 cm / 16 x 8 inch.
- Spread the apple filling over the dough. Roll it up horizontally and cut it into slices, each approximately 3-5 cm wide.
- Place the rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise, covered, for another half hour.
To finish the buns:
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius / 347 Fahrenheit (top and bottom heat).
- Spread the crumble topping evenly over the rolls.
- Place the apple cinnamon buns in the oven and bake for approx. 20-30 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly and in the meantime make the frosting by mixing all the ingredients together to form a thick paste. Spread this over the apple rolls. And enjoy!
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