There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked goods filling the kitchen air, and few treats can rival the warm, inviting scent of caramelly apple cinnamon rolls.
Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy roll swirled with tender apples and a rich, gooey caramel glaze—each bite a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re looking for a cozy breakfast option or a delightful dessert, these cinnamon rolls are sure to bring comfort and joy to any occasion.
So grab your apron, and let’s dive into the deliciousness of making your own batch of these irresistible fall favorites!
Caramelly Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Makes 12 cinnamon roll
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll dough
4½ – 5 Cups (572 – 636 g) Flour, all-purpose
80ml Sugar (68g) white granulated
2 Packets (14g) Rapid-rise instant yeast
5ml Salt
355ml (355g) water, room Luke warm
90ml (86g) Butter, unsalted at room temperature
1 Egg, large
Caramelly Apple filling
3 Medium apples, peeled and finely chopped
20ml Apple pie spice
10ml Cornstarch
60ml butter, unsalted and soften
120ml Sugar, Brown
200ml Cream, Full fat
Cream cheese topping
60ml Cream cheese, room temperature
40ml Powdered sugar
15ml Reserved apple sauce from apple filling
60ml Walnuts, chopped
Directions
Making the dough:
First, start by whisking together 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl, then set it aside. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine the warm water and melted butter. Next, pour this mixture into the flour blend along with one egg, and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is nicely combined.
After that, add 2 more cups of flour to the mix. At this point, your dough should be sticky. If you have a stand mixer, now’s the time to knead the dough until it forms a soft ball. Gradually add 1/4 cup of flour, kneading it in, and then add the final 1/4 cup, continuing to knead for about 5 minutes. If the dough remains too sticky, sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes stretchy and elastic. Just be careful not to add too much, or your dough might dry out!
Once your dough is ready, shape it into a ball and cover it with a piece of cling wrap. Finally, let it rise for an hour while you prepare the delicious apple filling.
Making the apple filling:
To start, grab a medium-sized pot and stir together the finely chopped apples, 15ml of apple pie spice, cornstarch, salt, and 80ml of brown sugar. Next, cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring often until the apples soften and the sauce thickens. This process should take about 10 minutes.
Once the filling is cooked, carefully transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Then, allow the mixture to cool completely before using it in your cinnamon rolls.
Putting it together:
First, strain the apple filling, reserving the juice for later use. While the apples drain, let’s focus on the dough.
Begin by placing the dough on a lightly floured surface. Next, pat the dough into a rectangular shape and roll it out into a 30 to 40cm rectangle. Evenly spread the softened butter over the rolled-out dough, leaving a 2cm border around the edges. Then, sprinkle 20ml of sugar evenly over the surface.
Now it’s time to add the apple filling! Spread the strained apple filling over the dough, followed by the remaining 5ml of apple pie spice for an extra burst of flavor.
Once that’s done, it’s time to roll it up! Starting with the long side of the dough, tightly roll it into a log, similar to how you would roll a Swiss roll. After rolling, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 even, thick slices. Be careful not to push down on the dough; instead, cut it like you would a loaf of bread. This technique will help the rolls maintain their shape.
Now you’re all set to move on to the next delicious step!
Preparing to bake:
To begin, generously grease a 25 x 35 cm deep-dish with butter. Next, sprinkle the remaining 20g of brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the greased dish. (If you’re in the mood for a richer, more caramelly sauce, feel free to double this amount of brown sugar!)
Now, pack the sliced rolls into the prepared dish. Once they are all in, cover the dough with greased cling wrap and let it rise until it doubles in size. While the dough is rising, go ahead and preheat your oven to 180°C.
As you approach the end of the rise, evenly pour the cream over the apple cinnamon rolls. Then, bake them for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and irresistible.
Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for about 8 minutes. While they cool, it’s the perfect time to whip up your glaze.
Making the glaze:
First, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 15ml of the reserved apple sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Next, spread the delicious glaze generously over the warm cinnamon rolls. To add a delightful crunch, sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top.
Now, all that’s left to do is enjoy your homemade apple cinnamon rolls! They’re sure to be a hit with everyone!
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