Moist, Nutty, and Cinnamon-Kissed
Servings: 10
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
Move Over Cinnabon!
Move over Cinnabon!! These Apple Butter Sweet Rolls are everything you dream of in a decadent sweet roll—and more. Gooey, soft, and packed with warm cinnamon sweetness, each spiral hides tender apple slices and a rich apple butter filling that outshines anything you’d find at a mall bakery. The aroma alone will draw everyone into the kitchen, ready to savor fall’s most irresistible treat.
Layers of Autumn Flavor
These rolls are a celebration of cozy autumn flavors. The dough bakes into a soft, pillowy base that cradles a luscious spread of apple butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Thin slices of crisp Pink Lady apples melt slightly as they bake, creating little pockets of caramelized fruit that add natural sweetness and a delicate bite to every swirl.
Worth Every Step
Creating these Apple Butter Sweet Rolls is a delightful baking adventure. From mixing and kneading the yeast dough to letting it rise until beautifully doubled; every step builds anticipation. Rolling the dough into a perfect rectangle, layering the apple butter filling, and spiraling it into neat rounds transforms a simple dough into a bakery-worthy masterpiece. It’s a bit of a process, but one taste of the warm, fragrant rolls will prove it’s time well spent.
The Perfect Finish
Once golden and baked to perfection, the rolls are topped with a silky glaze of cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. This smooth, sweet icing seeps into every crevice, ensuring each bite is luxuriously moist and indulgent. A dusting of cinnamon on top adds a final, aromatic touch that makes these sweet rolls look as beautiful as they taste.
A Sweet Roll to Remember
Whether served for a leisurely weekend breakfast, a festive holiday brunch, or as an after-dinner dessert, these Apple Butter Sweet Rolls deliver bakery-level excellence right from your oven. Their gooey centers, fragrant spice, and buttery glaze make them an unforgettable indulgence—one that will quickly become a family tradition and a top search for apple butter recipes and homemade cinnamon rolls.
The Secret to Moist Texture
Ingredients:
DOUGH:
1 cup water, warm (105° to 110°)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 package active dry yeast (0.25-ounce)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
FILLING:
1/2 cup apple butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 each Pink Lady apple, thinly sliced
GLAZE:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
4 tablespoons milk (2-4 tablespoons)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
ground cinnamon (garnish
Instructions:
Oven Temperature: 350°F
PREPARE YEAST MIXTURE (5 minutes):
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup warm water, sugar, and
yeast. Let stand until frothy and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
MIX DOUGH (10 minutes + 1 hour to double in size):
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,
combine 2-1/2 cups flour and salt.
With mixer on low speed, add yeast mixture and melted butter,
stirring just until combined.
Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at medium speed until
dough is smooth and elastic, about 7 minutes.
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl,
turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free
place (75°) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
PREP DOUGH (15 minutes + 45 minutes to double in size)
Spray a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with cooking spray. Set aside.
Lightly punch down dough.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 14 x10-inch
rectangle.
Spread apple butter over dough.
In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, remaining 2
tablespoons flour, and cinnamon.
Sprinkle sugar mixture over apple butter; top with apple slices.
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Starting with one long side, roll dough into a log; pinch seam to
seal.
Slice into 10 rolls. Place rolls in prepared skillet. Cover and let
rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°) until doubled in size, about
45 minutes.
BAKE (30 minutes + 15 minutes to cool):
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Let cool for 15 minutes.
GLAZE (while rolls cool + 5 minutes)
In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese with a
mixer at medium speed until smooth.
Add confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
Spread glaze over warm rolls.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 368 Calories; 9g Fat (22.8% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 68g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 25mg Cholesterol;
375mg Sodium; 41g Total Sugars; trace Vitamin D; 33mg Calcium; 2mg Iron; 105mg Potassium; 51mg Phosphorus.
5-Star Recipe is an ETL Consultant’s Corporation company. Visit us at www.5starrecipe.com
