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Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
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Enjoy irresistibly soft and fluffy Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a tender dough filled with spiced apple chunks and finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these rolls combine warm cinnamon, fresh apples, and rich caramel for a cozy, comforting treat that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup milk, lukewarm
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling Ingredients

  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Caramel Sauce Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until lukewarm and combine with active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it bloom for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, salt, and softened butter. Slowly add the yeast mixture and vanilla extract, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  2. Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Filling: While dough is rising, peel and dice apples. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook gently until apples soften but still hold shape, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  3. Roll and Fill the Dough: Once dough has doubled, punch it down and roll into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Evenly spread the cooled apple cinnamon filling over the dough, leaving a small border around edges. Roll tightly from the long edge into a log. Slice into 1.5 to 2 inch wide rolls.
  4. Second Rise and Bake: Place rolls into a buttered baking dish, leaving room between each. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Prepare and Drizzle Caramel Sauce: While rolls bake, melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream slowly, cooking until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Drizzle caramel sauce generously over warm rolls immediately after removing from the oven.

Notes

  • Use lukewarm milk, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
  • Spread filling thin and even to avoid soggy rolls.
  • Bring butter, eggs, and milk to room temperature before use for better dough consistency.
  • Remove rolls from oven once golden and springy to maintain softness.
  • Use fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, caramel drizzle, breakfast rolls, holiday treats

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/caramel-apple-cinnamon-rolls/