Peach Butter Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe features gooey, buttery, and soft cinnamon rolls with a sweet and juicy peach filling. Perfect for summer, but adaptable for any season using different fruit butters or fillings. The recipe includes detailed instructions for making both the dough and the peach butter filling.
This recipe features gooey, buttery, and soft cinnamon rolls with a sweet and juicy peach filling. Perfect for summer, but adaptable for any season using different fruit butters or fillings. The recipe includes detailed instructions for making both the dough and the peach butter filling.
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (99 g) granulated sugar
- 5 3/4 cups (693 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (10 g) instant dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) kosher salt
- 4 large (227 g) eggs
- 1 cup (227 g) cold milk
- 2 sticks (227 g) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) peaches diced (i don’t peel my peaches, but you could!)
- 1/3 cup (52 g) honey
- 1 vanilla bean halved and scraped
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (less than 1 g) freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon (less than 1 g) almond extract (optional)
- for finishing:
- 1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
- egg wash as needed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream plus more as needed
- Carbohydrate 6.77650000857815 g
- Cholesterol 4.52861111688143 mg
- Fat 1.22993222378912 g
- Fiber 0 g
- Protein 0.0679738889752331 g
- Saturated Fat 0.762703889860676 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (86g)
- Sodium 1.35427777946325 mg
- Sugar 6.77650000857815 g
- Trans Fat 0.0630626667468599 g
- Calories 38 calories
Step-by-step
- Make the dough the day before you want to make the rolls. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt to combine.
- Add the eggs and milk and mix on low speed until the mixture forms a ball around the hook, about 4 minutes. Increase the speed to medium and mix until the dough is very smooth, 5 more minutes.
- Continue mixing the dough on medium speed and add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing well to incorporate after each addition. All of the butter should be added over about 3 minutes of mixing.
- Transfer the dough to a large, oiled bowl and let rise at room temperature, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The dough is very enriched, so it may not expand much.
- While the dough rises, prepare the peach butter. In a large pot, combine the peaches, sugar, honey, vanilla bean, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vinegar. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are very tender and begin to break down, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and discard.
- Use a hand blender, blender, or food processor to process the mixture until it’s smooth, then return to the pot and continue to cook until the mixture thickens slightly, 30 to 45 minutes more. Stir in the almond extract, if using. Refrigerate overnight.
- Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet and pat out into a rectangle with about 1-inch thickness. Cover directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 375° F. Grease a large casserole or 9 x 13-inch baking dish generously with softened butter.
- Lightly flour your work surface, then turn the dough out onto it. Remove the parchment from the dough, and flour the top surface of the dough. If the dough feels particularly sticky, you can pat it out on parchment paper. Use your hands to pat out the dough into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick (it should be about 10 x 15 inches). If the dough feels really soft at this point, refrigerate it to firm it up before proceeding (5 to 10 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, whisk the chilled peach butter with the 1/3 cup flour to combine. Spread the filling in an even layer all over the dough—all the way to the edges!
- Starting with one of the long sides, begin to roll the dough into a tight spiral. Use your thumbs to prop the dough off the work surface and use your fingers to keep the roll tight while you work. If the dough feels really soft at this point, you can refrigerate it again before slicing (10 to 15 minutes).
- Slice the finished roll into 9 even pieces. Arrange the rolls inside the prepared baking dish, leaving about 1/4 inch between each one. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Brush the top of the rolls with egg wash and bake until they are golden on the surface and the filling is bubbly, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- While the rolls bake, whisk the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla to combine.
- When the rolls are baked, let them cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then spread or drizzle the icing on top. Serve warm.
My Summertime Peach Butter Cinnamon Roll Obsession
Growing up, the aroma of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven was a familiar comfort. Whether homemade from scratch or a decadent treat from our favorite bakery, those warm, gooey spirals were a staple at our breakfast table. That love for cinnamon rolls continues today, but summertime brings a desire for fresh, seasonal ingredients. That’s where my peach butter cinnamon rolls come in. They're everything I love about classic cinnamon rolls – soft, buttery, and utterly irresistible – but with a vibrant, summery twist thanks to the addition of sweet and slightly tart peaches.
The process of making these rolls is a labor of love, but so worth the effort. The homemade peach butter is the star of the show, its rich, deep flavor perfectly complementing the tender cinnamon dough. I've adapted the recipe to allow for a one-day baking process if needed, but the overnight rise adds to the richness and texture of the finished product. The result is a roll that's simultaneously comforting and celebratory, a perfect brunch treat or a delightful dessert.
Beyond Summer: Adapting the Recipe
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. While peaches are undeniably perfect in summer, I find myself making these rolls throughout the year, adapting the filling to the season. Autumn brings the warm spices of apple butter or pumpkin butter. Winter welcomes the bright citrus notes of a lemon or orange curd. Spring inspires me to create a strawberry or rhubarb jam filling. And of course, I always have a jar or two of peach butter in my freezer to ensure I can enjoy this wonderful flavor year-round. Making extra peach butter for canning is a great way to maximize the bounty of summer. It freezes beautifully and keeps that summer sunshine locked away for a cozy treat on a chilly winter day.
The Joy of Baking: A Shared Experience
Baking, for me, is more than just creating delicious food; it's a meditative practice, a chance to slow down and savor the process. The rhythmic mixing of the dough, the comforting warmth of the oven, and the anticipation of sharing the final product with loved ones – it's a beautiful experience. These peach butter cinnamon rolls embody that feeling for me; they are a testament to the joy of using fresh ingredients, taking the time to make something beautiful from scratch, and sharing that sweetness with those you care about. It is a taste of summer perfection that extends far beyond the season.
Tips for Success:
Dough Consistency: The dough is quite rich and may seem sticky. Don’t be afraid to chill it if necessary to make it easier to handle. A little extra flour on your work surface can also make a big difference.
Peach Butter Texture: For the smoothest peach butter, I recommend using a hand blender, food processor, or blender to create a smooth puree. A bit of extra cooking time will further thicken the mixture for a better spreadable consistency.
Baking Time: Oven temperatures vary, so keep a close eye on your rolls as they bake. A golden brown color and bubbly filling are signs of perfect doneness.
Make Ahead: While the recipe is designed for making the rolls in a single day, I prefer the flavor of the dough after an overnight rise in the refrigerator. If you're short on time, the adjustments noted in the original recipe can help you create delicious rolls even faster.
Serving Suggestions:
While these rolls are delightful on their own, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate them to another level of indulgence.
More than just a recipe, these peach butter cinnamon rolls are a testament to the power of seasonal ingredients and the simple joy of baking. They're a reminder to savor the moments, embrace the process, and share the deliciousness with those you love.
