Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting 🍎

Delightful, warm, and gooey apple cinnamon rolls drizzled with a rich brown butter cream cheese frosting, perfect for those chilly mornings or as a heartwarming dessert.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 cups of lukewarm milk
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 8 tbsp of unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 1/4 tsp of active dry yeast
• 5 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 2 tsp of salt

For the Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Filling:

• 3/4 cup of unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups of dark brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

For the Apple Filling:

• 3 tbsp of unsalted butter (melted)
• 4 medium-sized apples (diced)
• 1/3 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 tbsp of corn starch

For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 12 tbsp of unsalted butter
• 8 oz of cream cheese (room temperature)
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1-2 tbsp milk (optional, for consistency)

Procedure:

1. Dough Preparation: a. In a sizable bowl, combine lukewarm milk, melted butter, and sugar. b. Sprinkle yeast over this mixture and give it a gentle stir. Let it sit in a cozy spot for about 10 minutes or until it froths, indicating the yeast is active. c. Gradually mix in 4 cups of flour until it’s just combined. d. Cover with a cloth and let it sit for an hour, allowing it to double in size. Meanwhile, butter your baking dish.

2. Apple Filling: a. In a saucepan, combine all apple filling ingredients. Cook over medium heat until apples are tender and the mixture has thickened. Allow to cool.

3. Assembling the Rolls: a. To the risen dough, fold in the remaining flour, baking powder, and salt. Knead this mixture on a clean surface for around 10 minutes. If it feels sticky, add a bit more flour. b. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Smear it with the brown sugar-cinnamon mix and then layer with the apple mixture. c. Gently roll the dough into a log and seal its edges. Slice it into 12 equal sections. d. Place these sections in the buttered dish and let them rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). e. Bake until they’re a lovely golden brown (typically 25-30 minutes).

4. Frosting: a. For the frosting, melt butter in a pan till it foams. Once you see brown specks and it emits a nutty aroma, transfer to a bowl and cool. b. When solid, blend this browned butter with cream cheese until it’s smooth. Introduce the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. If it feels too thick, loosen it up with some milk. c. Once the rolls are slightly cooled, generously drizzle them with the frosting.

5. Serving: Enjoy these delightful apple cinnamon rolls warm, perhaps with a cup of your favorite beverage!

TIP: For an extra twist, consider adding chopped nuts or raisins to the apple filling!