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{This post is sponsored by Land O’Lakes.}
Hey, hi! Happy first FRIDAY of November!
I actually cannot believe it’s the first Friday of November, I only wait for this time to come around ALL YEAR long, so to say that I am a tad bit excited would an understatement. I mean, for one we have these cinnamon rolls to talk about, and two, it’s officially time to start talking holiday food!
Umm, yess! And I could not think of a better way to end the first Friday of November than with fluffy, gooey and buttery apple cinnamon rolls! Say hello to Saturday brunch everyone!
Cinnamon rolls hold a special place in my kitchen, and by that, I really just mean that I love them to pieces. Growing up, my mom would occasionally buy the cinnamon rolls that come from the can around the holidays, and my brothers and I LOVED them. We looked forward to these cinnamon roll breakfasts every single year. I mean, what kid does not love a good cinna-roll, you know?
Well, at some point down the road I decided to try my hand at making my own cinnamon rolls. Maybe as an attempt to avoid the inevitable food coma that always followed our face stuffing frenzy. I mean, homemade is always better, and you guys, these apple cinnamon rolls are no exception. From that day on, I never looked at another canned cinnamon roll again. Anyone else have a similar experience?
Ok, where to start.
I always use the same base dough for my cinnamon rolls. It’s a base of butter, eggs and milk. Super simple, but really doughy and perfect. Next comes the caramelized apple filling… so amazing. The the rolls are topped off with the most delicious cream cheese chia spiced frosting. Whoa!
A little more on the filling here, because it really is amazing. Brown sugar caramelized apples, spread over a generous layer of salted butter and cinnamon sugar. The secret here is Land O’Lakes European Style Super Premium Salted Butter. This butter is the perfect ingredient to add just a touch of holiday specialness to these cinnamon rolls. The sweet European style cream with a hint of salt goes a long way, and is really what sets these rolls apart.
Okok and well, the frosting helps too!!
Oh my gosh, this frosting is to die for, so delish! I mean, chai spiced cream cheese frosting…with more salted butter…you know, for good measure! Yeah, it really is just as good as it sounds. Actually, it’s better!! Think about your favorite chai tea, but with whipped cream cheese, a little sugar, a little butter and a ton of vanilla. You just cannot go wrong with a combo like that.
Put this all together and you end up with the most perfect (and most delicious) cinnamon roll. Like FOR REAL, I wish I could truly express just how much I love these rolls. Even my picky brothers, who are cinnamon roll purists, enjoyed these apple stuffed cinnamon rolls, and you know what… they said the frosting was the best they’d ever had.
Um, cool!
The point in all my rambling here, is that these are truly one of my favorite breakfast or brunch rolls. They’re perfect for any upcoming holiday gatherings you may be hosting or attending. Plus, cinnamon rolls are great because they can be made in advance and then baked just before eating. Avoiding morning chaos… score!
I already have plans to serve these Thanksgiving morning, but I will for sure be making a double batch, as I know these will be downed within seconds…they are just THAT good!
I mean, that frosting alone…still dreaming about it.
Oh and also, is chai the spice maybe just the best thing ever? I am thinking so… more chia to come this November!
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FYI: A rolled up doughy glimpse into heaven right there.
{This post is sponsored by Land O’Lakes. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!!}
SO GOOD! I wish all the rising time was included in the total amount of time, but they were delicious.
Hey Ashley,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:)
Super super good! The total time is a way off though. I think the resting times alone are an hour and a half, not total time of 1 hour 10 minutes, lol. I made these but didn’t equate for the time difference thanks to forgetting to make these ahead of time, but that’s okay! They were well worth the wait.
Hey Emily,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday!🎄
Do you think these could be made with boiled cider instead of milk in the dough to make them even more apple-y? Or is it not thin enough? (Sorry, this is a repeat question from another post, but I think I replied there instead of making my own comment.) Thanks!!
Hi Kelli,
I have never tried that with this recipe so I honestly don’t know how it would turn out! Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Yum. These were a hit!
Hey Stephanie,
Awesome!! 🍂 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xx
Hey There,
Could these be made the night before?
Hey Lauren,
You can absolutely make up until baking, store covered in the fridge, and then bake the following morning. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I absolutely love this recipe I have made it a couple of times now. I alway get amazing feed back for the rolls and especially the frosting. I have noticed that I do have to add a little more liquid to recipe to get the dough the right consistency.
Hey there,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was a hit! Happy New Year! xTieghan
These were delicious – we also added rum-soaked raisins to apple mixture. Very decadent, highly recommend! Do you think that the iced cinnamon rolls would also freeze well?
Hey Jamie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Yes, those would freeze well. Happy New Year! xTieghan
I made these for my daughter’s 18th birthday. We had a few of her friends for a CoVid outside birthday around the fire pit. Along with coffee and some Christmas carols they were a hit! I followed the recipe exactly making them the night before and cooking the next morning and they were absolutely perfect. We will make again and I even had a few of her fiends ask if I could give the recipe to their mom!
Hey Kara,
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Taste amazing! Love the apples to break up the dough. I was a little confused by the instructions because the instructions say to roll out 9×24 and then roll along the long side and then it says that it makes 12 1” rolls. The numbers don’t add up but I just made mine 2” thick and cooked then 5 minutes longer!
Hey Sara,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hello, I’d love to try making these. I don’t have a stand mixer or dough hook, can I have the same results by hand? Also, would an 8×8 or 9×9 pan be fine? Thanks!
Hey Deanna,
Yes mixing by hand is fine, I would use a 9×9 baking pan. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would this work if I used the dough from your Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread (https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/overnight-cinnamon-roll-bread/) instead? I made those and they came out great! I just feel more comfortable with the instant yeast.
Thanks!
Hey TeeKay,
Yes that will work! Enjoy! xTieghan
For making ahead do you fully prep the night before and refrigerate after the last rise? Being to room temp before cooking or just straight into the oven? Or do you have another method?
Excited to try these soon!
Hey Jessica,
I would place in the fridge after the last rise, bring back to room temp before baking, and then continue with the recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan:)
we don’t have active dry yeast in Germany 😀 What amount of normal yeast would you recommend?
Love,Maike 🙂
Hi there! I would recommend using the same amount, about 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan 🙂
I am from Germany and we don’t have active dry yeast 😀 what amount of normal yeast would you recommend?
Love,
Maike
Hi there! I would recommend using the same amount, about 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Yummy!!! I love the taste of cinnamon with cream and chai.
Thank you so much! xTieghan