Sheet Pan Apple Cinnamon Roll Bites
Delightful bite-sized cinnamon rolls with apples, perfect for breakfast or as a snack.
Ingredients
Dough ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole milk, heated to 110 degrees Warm and creamy, perfect for yeast activation.
- 1 1/4 ounce packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp) Essential for the dough to rise beautifully.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Adds sweetness and activates the yeast.
- 1 large egg, room temperature Enhances richness of the dough.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Forms the base of the dough.
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature Provides richness and buttery flavor.
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt Balances the sweetness.
Filling ingredients
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar Creates an irresistible gooey filling.
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Mixed with sugar for the filling.
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon Warm spice that elevates the filling.
- 1 tsp. ground allspice Enhances flavor complexity.
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt Counteracts sweetness.
- 2 Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, finely chopped Tartness and crunch balance sweetness.
Streusel topping ingredients
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour Adds texture to the topping.
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar Provides sweetness.
- 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar Enhances overall sweetness.
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon Ties back to filling flavor.
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt Keeps flavors well-rounded.
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Adds richness to the streusel.
Glaze ingredients
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar Sweetens the glaze.
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened Provides tangy, creamy texture.
- 1/4 cup whole milk Achieves smooth glaze texture.
- 2 tsp. unsalted butter Enhances creaminess of glaze.
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Adds warmth and complexity.
Instructions
Preparing the dough
- Pour the warm milk into a large bowl. Add the active dry yeast and granulated sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Incorporate the room temperature egg, 2 3/4 cups of flour, softened butter, and salt. Stir until you form a soft dough.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot for about one hour.
Preparing the filling
- Mix together dark brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, allspice, and salt until well combined.
Assembling the rolls
- Punch the risen dough down and roll it out into a rectangle (16 by 12 inches). Spread the filling on top and sprinkle with the finely chopped apples.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1.5 inches wide). Arrange on a greased sheet pan.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
Baking the rolls
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare the streusel topping by mixing flour, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle in melted butter and blend until crumbly.
- Sprinkle streusel over the rolls and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
Making the glaze
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle generously over the baked rolls.
Notes
Keep ingredients at room temperature for better dough consistency. Allow dough to rise fully for fluffiness. Use firm apples and consider healthier alternatives like whole wheat flour.