APPLE & CINNAMON BUNS WITH BROWNED BUTTER MAPLE ICING

I will never love baking as much as I love cooking but I have become somewhat more confident in my baking abilities this year (better to practise letting dough rise correctly than COVID doom scrolling) which meant I finally took on the task of making my own cinnamon buns from scratch! 

And not just any old, boring cinnamon buns. OH NO! These are next level cinnamons buns, filled with apple chunks and topped with the most amazing browned butter and maple syrup icing. 

MY GOD that doesn't only sound amazing but the end result tasted totally out of this world and I actually found them pretty easy to make! 

Yes, you will have to invest a bit of time (I spent a leisurely Sunday afternoon hiding from the cold in the kitchen rustling these up) as the dough will need rise and rest twice but the process is fun, not too tricky and so rewarding considering the wow factor buns you will end up with! 

Best enjoyed warm but equally good cold and just so damn delicious!

One of the best things I have made this year and this is saying a lot considering how much I have baked, cooked, chopped and pickled in 2021!

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon soft brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 3 1/2 -4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

APPLE FILLING

• 1/2 cup soft brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 2 red apples, chopped

BROWNED BUTTER MAPLE ICING

• 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2-3 cups icing sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanila extract

METHOD

• Combine the milk, yeast, and brown sugar in a bowl. 
• Let sit 5-10 minutes, until bubbly on top. 
• Add the butter, eggs, 3 1/2 cups flour, and salt. 
• Using your hands, mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. 
• If the dough is still sticky, add the additional 1/2 cup flour, adding more as needed until the dough is smooth to touch.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• 3Meanwhile, mix the filling. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. 
• Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Punch the dough down and roll out onto a lightly floured surface, creating a large rectangle.
• Spread the butter evenly over the dough. 
• Sprinkle on the apples and cinnamon sugar. 
• Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log, keeping it tight as you go. 
• When you reach the edge, pinch along the edge to seal. 
• Using a sharp knife, cut into 12-15 rolls. 
• Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish. 
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180° C. 
• Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, make the icing. 
• Add the butter to a pot set over medium heat.
• Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. 
• Remove from the heat. 
• To a bowl with the cream cheese in it, whisk in the maple syrup, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. 
• Spread the icing over the warm rolls. 
• Serve and enjoy!