Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

– Soft, fluffy brioche dough rolled with cinnamon brown sugar, gooey apple pie filling, and crunchy toasted pecans, all topped with smooth cream cheese frosting. Prep components in advance for an effortless Thanksgiving breakfast treat!

Ingredients:

Brioche Dough

  • 250g whole milk, lukewarm
  • 50g granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 565g all-purpose flour
  • 100g unsalted butter, softened

Apple Pie Filling

  • 850g apples (about 4 medium), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 30g unsalted butter
  • 80g granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch

Toasted Pecans

  • 125g pecan halves

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

  • 190g unsalted butter, softened
  • 280g brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 115g unsalted butter, softened
  • 225g cream cheese, softened
  • 250g powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1–2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions:

Brioche Dough

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, 25g of sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook, add flour, salt, and remaining sugar. Mix briefly.
  3. Add milk mixture and eggs, mixing on low for 2-3 minutes, then increase speed to medium and mix for 5 minutes.
  4. Gradually add butter, mixing until smooth, 7-10 minutes.
  5. Shape into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight until doubled.

Apple Pie Filling

  1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, and salt, cooking for 3-5 minutes until tender.
  2. Stir in cornstarch, cook until thickened, then chill.

Toasted Pecans

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Place pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

  1. In a bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until blended.

Assembly

  1. Grease or line a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish.
  2. Roll dough into a 24×16-inch (60x40cm) rectangle, spread with cinnamon filling, then layer with apple filling and chopped pecans.
  3. Roll tightly, chill in the freezer for 20 minutes for easier cutting, then slice into 12 equal pieces.
  4. Arrange in the baking dish, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour until puffy.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake rolls for 35-40 minutes until golden.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cream, and salt; whip until fluffy.
  2. Spread over warm rolls and enjoy!