The Fluffiest Apple Cinnamon Brioche Rolls Recipe You’ll Love

Warm, pillowy apple cinnamon brioche rolls represent the ultimate comfort food for lazy weekend mornings.

Rich, buttery dough revolutionizes into a delectable treat that promises pure indulgence.

Soft layers combine sweet fruit and aromatic spices in a harmonious dance of flavors.

Each bite delivers a luxurious experience that elevates traditional breakfast pastries to new heights.

Delicate yet substantial, these rolls strike a perfect balance between tender texture and robust taste.

Golden-brown surfaces hint at the deliciousness waiting inside, tempting anyone nearby with their irresistible aroma.

Homemade goodness awaits you, promising a breakfast experience that will delight your senses.

Apple Cinnamon Brioche Rolls That Fill the Room with Warmth

• Savor Silky Soft Texture: The long kneading process creates an incredibly tender, pillowy brioche dough that practically melts in your mouth with luxurious smoothness.
• Enjoy Intensely Layered Flavors: Combining caramelized apples, warm cinnamon, and sweet honey creates a complex taste profile that dances between fruity, spicy, and rich notes.
• Master Simple Homemade Baking: This recipe transforms intimidating pastry techniques into an accessible weekend baking project, delivering professional-quality rolls with straightforward steps anyone can follow at home.

What You’ll Need for a Brioche-Based Treat

• Flour: A key component for creating a soft, rich brioche texture, with high protein content for better structure.
• Yeast: Essential for rising and developing bread's airy, light characteristics, fresh active dry yeast works best.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast fermentation in the dough.

• Milk, Eggs, Butter: Provide richness, tenderness, and classic brioche smoothness, use room temperature ingredients for better integration.

• Apples: Sweet, slightly tart fruit that adds natural moisture and soft texture, choose firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple's natural sweetness, use freshly ground for more intense flavor.
• Sugar, Honey: Provide sweetness and help caramelize the apple filling, use good quality raw or granulated sugar.
• Butter: Adds richness to filling and helps create a smooth, spreadable mixture.

• Egg (for brushing): Gives golden, glossy finish to the rolls, creates attractive sheen when baked.

How to Shape and Bake Rolls with Cinnamon Layers

Step 1: Prepare Brioche Dough

Gather all brioche dough ingredients and combine them in a stand mixer. Knead on low speed for 15-20 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the bowl’s sides.

Step 2: First Dough Rise

Cover the mixing bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot like a slightly humid bathroom or oven with proofing setting. Let rise until doubled in size, approximately 1.5 hours.

Step 3: Create Apple Filling

• Peeling apples
• Dicing apples

• Butter
• Sugar
• Honey

Cook apple pieces until soft, about 15 minutes. Allow filling to cool completely.

Step 4: Roll Out Dough

After first rise, punch down the dough. Roll out into a 25×40 cm rectangular shape.

Step 5: Prepare Filling Mixture

• Soft butter
• Sugar
• Cinnamon

Spread mixture evenly across rolled dough. Distribute cooled apple pieces uniformly.

Step 6: Shape Rolls

Roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 5 cm thick rolls.

Step 7: Second Dough Rise

Place rolls in a lightly buttered baking dish, leaving space between each. Let rise in warm area for 30 minutes.

Step 8: Bake Rolls

Brush rolls with beaten egg. Bake at 160°C in conventional oven for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Tips to Avoid Overbaking or Dry Dough

• Master Kneading Technique: Take your time when kneading brioche dough, as longer mixing develops gluten and creates that signature soft, pillowy texture.
• Control Rising Temperature: Use a consistent warm environment around 28°C to ensure proper dough proofing and optimal volume.
• Perfectly Caramelize Apples: Cook apple pieces slowly in butter and sugar, allowing natural sugars to caramelize and intensify flavor without burning.
• Precise Rolling Technique: When rolling dough, maintain even thickness and tightly roll the log to create uniform, beautiful swirls in each brioche roll.
• Egg Wash Brilliance: Gently brush beaten egg over rolls before baking to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown shine and professional bakery-style finish.

Storage Tips for Keeping Rolls Soft

• Refrigerator Storage: Wrap the Apple Cinnamon Brioche Rolls tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. For longer preservation, freeze the rolls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
• Reheating Method: Bring refrigerated rolls to room temperature before warming. Gently reheat in the oven at 150°C for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore their soft, fluffy texture. Microwave briefly for 10-15 seconds if you're in a hurry, but the oven method maintains better quality and prevents dryness.
• Serving Tip: Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze after reheating to refresh the rolls' appearance and add extra sweetness.

Best Pairings from Coffee to Caramel Sauce

• Brew Complementary Coffee Pairing: Pair these warm, gooey apple cinnamon brioche rolls with a rich medium-roast Colombian coffee that highlights the sweet and spicy notes of the pastry.
• Enhance with Vanilla Accompaniment: Serve alongside a small scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream to complement the warm cinnamon and caramelized apple flavors, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast.
• Create Beverage Harmony: Enjoy with a warm chai latte or spiced apple tea that echoes the cinnamon and apple undertones, enhancing the rolls' aromatic profile and providing a cozy drinking experience.
• Match with Dessert Wine: Complement the sweet and buttery brioche with a light moscato or sweet riesling that balances the pastry's richness and highlights its fruity undertones.

Fun Flavors You Can Weave Into the Swirl

• Seasonal Berry Blast: Replace apples with a mix of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Swap cinnamon for a hint of cardamom to elevate the fruity flavor profile.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling. Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the rolls before baking for extra richness and depth.
• Savory Herb Transformation: Skip the sweet filling and create a savory version with goat cheese, fresh thyme, and caramelized onions. Sprinkle sea salt on top for a gourmet touch.
• Tropical Paradise Remix: Substitute apples with diced mango and pineapple. Add shredded coconut to the filling and a light rum glaze after baking for a Caribbean-inspired experience.

Apple Cinnamon Brioche Rolls Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm Apple Cinnamon Brioche Rolls invite comfort with their swirled dough and sweet cinnamon-apple filling. Fragrant pastries emerge golden from the oven, promising pure indulgence that wraps you in delightful home-baked satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 400 grams (14.11 ounces) all-purpose flour (T45)
• 6 Golden apples (about 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds)
• 150 milliliters (5.07 fluid ounces) semi-skimmed or whole milk

Butter and Sugar Components:

• 60 grams (2.12 ounces) salted butter
• 80 grams (2.82 ounces) salted butter, softened
• 120 grams (4.23 ounces) cane sugar
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar
• 1 knob of butter

Additional Ingredients:

• 20 grams (0.71 ounces) fresh yeast
• 1 egg
• 1 egg for brushing
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cinnamon (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the brioche dough by combining all ingredients in a stand mixer, kneading on low speed for 15-20 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and cleanly separates from the bowl’s sides.
2. Transfer the dough to a warm, humid environment with temperatures around 82°F (28°C), such as a proofing oven or slightly steamy bathroom, and let rise until the volume doubles, approximately 90 minutes.
3. While the dough rises, peel and finely dice fresh apples into small, uniform cubes.
4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté apple cubes with sugar and honey, stirring occasionally until the fruit softens and caramelizes, approximately 12-15 minutes.
5. Remove apple mixture from heat and allow to cool completely, ensuring no residual moisture remains.
6. Punch down the risen dough and roll into a precise rectangular shape measuring 10 x 16 inches (25 x 40 centimeters).
7. Create the filling by whisking softened butter with granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until thoroughly combined and spreadable.
8. Evenly distribute the butter-cinnamon mixture across the dough’s surface, leaving a small border around the edges.
9. Sprinkle the cooled apple pieces uniformly over the butter-cinnamon layer.
10. Carefully roll the dough into a tight cylindrical log, ensuring a compact and even shape.
11. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 2-inch (5-centimeter) thick rolls.
12. Arrange the rolls in a lightly buttered baking dish, allowing sufficient space between each for expansion.
13. Let the rolls proof in a warm location for an additional 30 minutes until they appear slightly puffy.
14. Gently brush the rolls’ surfaces with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
15. Bake in a preheated conventional oven at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 25 minutes, or until the rolls turn a rich, golden-brown color.

Notes

• Precision matters when kneading brioche dough, requiring patience to develop the perfect elasticity and texture.
• Creating a warm, humid environment ensures optimal dough rising, helping develop rich flavor and soft structure.
• Caramelizing apples before filling enhances their natural sweetness and prevents excess moisture in the rolls.
• Rolling the dough tightly creates beautiful spiral patterns and helps maintain a compact, even shape.
• Allow sufficient resting time between kneading and baking to develop complex flavors and achieve a light, airy texture.
• Egg wash gives the rolls a gorgeous golden-brown color and adds a delightful glossy sheen to the finished pastry.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg