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Overnight Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4 from 9 reviews

These Overnight Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with warm apple butter and cinnamon flavors. Made with a tender yeast dough that rises overnight in the fridge, they bake up beautifully golden and are topped with a rich, creamy browned butter cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat, these cinnamon rolls combine classic comfort with a delightful apple twist.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • 1 1/4 ounce package instant yeast (7 grams)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, 57 grams) unsalted butter or coconut oil, softened
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 3 3/4 to 4 cups (450-480 grams) all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, 57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, 57 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Warm the Milk: Heat the milk in a small saucepan or microwave just until it begins to bubble. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm, about 120-130°F (49-54°C).
  2. Mix Dough Ingredients: In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine yeast, warm water, granulated sugar, softened butter or coconut oil, baking powder, salt, egg, and 2 cups of flour. Add the lukewarm milk and beat until smooth using a paddle attachment or by hand.
  3. Knead the Dough: Add an additional 1 3/4 cups flour. Switch to a dough hook if using a mixer, and knead until dough forms a smooth, elastic ball that clears the bowl sides, about 5-8 minutes with mixer, longer by hand. Add the remaining flour if needed; dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
  4. First Rise: Lightly coat a large bowl with cooking spray or oil. Place dough inside, turn to coat, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  5. Prepare Filling and Pan: Soften butter for filling. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together. Lightly grease a 9-inch round or square baking pan and set aside.
  6. Roll Out Dough: Punch down the risen dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle about 17” x 13”.
  7. Add Filling: Evenly spread softened butter, then apple butter over the dough surface. Sprinkle cinnamon-brown sugar mixture evenly on top.
  8. Form Rolls: Starting at the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into approximately 12 equal rolls using a very sharp knife.
  9. Refrigerate Overnight: Place rolls spaced apart in the prepared pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  10. Second Rise: Remove rolls from fridge and let rest at room temperature for 30-40 minutes, until puffy and nearly doubled.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  12. Bake Rolls: Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden on top. Cover with foil if they brown too quickly. Remove and cool slightly.
  13. Make Frosting: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, swirling often, 1-3 minutes until butter foams and turns deep golden brown. Remove from heat immediately. In a medium bowl, beat melted browned butter and softened cream cheese until fluffy.
  14. Finish Frosting: Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with spoonfuls of milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in vanilla bean paste. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
  15. Frost and Serve: Spread frosting on warm cinnamon rolls immediately and serve fresh.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best dough rise and texture.
  • Ensure milk is lukewarm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Browned butter frosting adds a nutty depth of flavor compared to standard frosting.
  • Dough can be kneaded by hand if a stand mixer is not available—expect a longer kneading time.
  • Overnight refrigeration enhances flavor development and makes morning baking easy.
  • Adjust frosting thickness to preference by varying milk and powdered sugar amounts.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/overnight-apple-butter-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/