Apple Cinnamon Rolls
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4.9
30 reviews
Excellent
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
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My Apple Cinnamon Rolls recipe features soft, plush buns swirled with apples and spices. An easy-to-make caramel glaze takes these rolls over the top, making them a stellar choice for breakfast or dessert. This recipe can be made with or without a mixer--watch the how-to video below for instructions!
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Ingredients
For Buns
- 1 1 cup whole milk
- ⅓ ⅓ cup water
- 2 ¼ 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ⅓ ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 5 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk room temperature preferred
- 2 2 teaspoons table salt
- ¼ ¼ tsp nutmeg optional
- 4-5 4-5 cups all-purpose or bread flour plus additional as needed
For Filling
- 4 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter very soft
- ½ ½ cup light or dark brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ ⅛ teaspoon allspice optional but recommended
- ⅛ ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional but recommended
- ⅛ ⅛ teaspoon table salt
- 2 ½ 2 ½ cups chopped peeled/cored apple
For Caramel Glaze
- ¾ ¾ cups dark brown sugar firmly packed
- ½ ½ cup unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
- ⅓ ⅓ cup whole milk
- ¼ ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions
For Buns
- Combine milk and water in a heatproof container and heat until 110-120F (43-49C). Pour into a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), sprinkle yeast overtop and add a pinch (about 1 teaspoon) of your granulated sugar. Stir and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast has formed a foamy cap (if this does not happen, your yeast may be dead or your liquid was not the right temperature, you will have to start over).
- Add granulated sugar, butter, egg, egg yolk, salt, nutmeg (if using) and approximately half of the flour and stir until well-combined. While stirring, gradually add additional flour until the dough clings to itself and pulls from the sides of the bowl (you can do this by hand/with a wooden spoon or using the dough hook attachment of a stand mixer). Stir (adding more flour as needed) until dough is still a bit tacky to the touch but not too sticky to be unmanageable.
- If making by hand, lightly dust a clean surface with flour and knead the dough for 5-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic (add more flour as needed). If using a stand mixer, continue to mix on md/low speed until smooth/elastic, about 3-5 minutes.
- Place dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and turn so the surface is coated with a thin layer of oil. Cover tightly and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours). While dough is rising you can prepare your filling.
For Filling
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and whisk together until well-combined. Peel, core, and chop apples (smaller pieces are easier to roll into the cinnamon buns). If butter is not soft enough to be easily spread, pop it in the microwave for several seconds until it is nice and soft.
Assembly
- Lightly butter a 13x9” (33x23cm) baking dish and set aside.
- Once dough has risen, gently deflate and transfer to a clean, lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll into a 10x20” (25-50cm) rectangle.
- Use a knife to evenly spread butter over the surface of the dough, leaving about ½” (1.25cm) of the perimeter untouched.
- Toss apples and brown sugar mixture together until apples are coated then immediately evenly sprinkle over the butter.
- Starting with one of the longer edges, firmly roll dough into a log, pinching the end together to make a seam.
- Use a sharp knife to immediately cut the dough into 12 even pieces and place cut-side down in prepared baking dish. You may notice a bit of the apple mixture may be oozing out of the bottom of the rolls, this is fine.
- Cover rolls with a towel and place in a warm spot to rise until puffed and increased in size at least 50%, about 25-40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F (175C).
- Uncover risen rolls and transfer to the center rack of preheated oven. Bake 25-30 minutes (if using a metal pan, glass or ceramic may take several minutes longer) until rolls are cooked through. Once rolls have finished baking, prepare caramel glaze.
Caramel Glaze
- Combine brown sugar, butter, milk, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and sugar is beginning to dissolve. Bring to a full boil and boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- Immediately drizzle or spread glaze over cinnamon buns (even if they are still warm). Allow glaze to set before serving.
Equipments used:
Notes
- I prefer to use active dry yeast for best results but instant yeast may be substituted. To substitute instant yeast, combine instant yeast, sugar, salt, and half the flour and stir, then add warmed milk/water and stir well. Stir in butter and eggs and then remaining flour and proceed with the recipe as written. The dough will not need to rise as long when made this way.
- I prefer and recommend whole milk for the most tender rolls possible, but you can substitute any milk you prefer.
- Use an apple that you enjoy eating! While any apple will work, I personally feel that Granny Smith are a bit tart here and prefer to use Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji apples.
- Note that the smaller you cut your apple pieces, the easier they will be to roll up in the dough and the more tender they will be after cooking. Conversely, larger pieces of apples will make slightly messier rolls and crisper pieces after baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1cinnamon roll
Calories
467kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
71g
(24%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
62mg
(21%)
Sodium
484mg
(20%)
Potassium
169mg
(5%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
37g
(74%)
Vitamin A
580IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
69mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12cinnamon rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 467 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cinnamon roll | |
| Calories | 467kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 484mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 169mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 37g | 74% |
| Vitamin A | 580IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 69mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
30 reviews
Excellent
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