If you’re using store bought apple butter make sure it’s not too runny or it will compromise the structural integrity of the buns.
By Kimberly Killebrew
Frosted Cinnamon Buns with Apple Butter
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 15 buns 1x
Description
If you’re using store bought apple butter make sure it’s not too runny or it will compromise the structural integrity of the buns.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cinnamon Buns:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2½ teaspoons yeast
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- ? cup butter, melted but not hot
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 small apple, cut into small, very thin pieces
- For the Frosting:
- 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered confectioner’s sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Stir the yeast into the warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Put the flour in the bowl of a stand mixer, stir in the salt and sugar to combine and make a well in the center. Add the eggs, melted butter, and milk/yeast mixture.
- Attach a dough hook and knead the mixture on the bread setting (“2? on a Kitchenaid) for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the dough, form it into a ball, lightly spray the stand mixer bowl with vegetable oil, and place the dough ball back in the bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place until nearly doubled, up to 90 minutes. (I turn on the oven to 350 for about 1 minute, turn it off, and place the dough/bowl in the oven to rise.
- Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and measure out the apple butter. Set aside.
- After the dough has nearly doubled in size, punch it down in the center, let it rest for a minute and then place the dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll out dough into a 16×21 inch rectangle. The dough will likely spring back, let it rest for a minute and roll it back out to size.
- Spread the apple butter evenly over the surface of the dough and sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture over it, leaving about a ¼ inch border around the dough. Place the apple pieces evenly over the dough.
- Roll up the dough, seam side down, and cut it into 15 equal rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 30-40 minutes.
- While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake the rolls until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
- To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, beat until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the warm rolls if you prefer more of a glaze. Spread over cooled rolls if you prefer the fluffy white frosting.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Baking
