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Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Prep Time
4 hrs
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
 
These homemade cinnamon rolls are full of cinnamon apples and rich caramel flavor. These Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls make the perfect fall breakfast, as they taste amazing and are such an easy cinnamon roll recipe! Perfect for Thanksgiving too!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramel apple cinnamon rolls
Servings: 12 -15 rolls
Author: A Latte Food
Ingredients
Dough
  • 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
  • 1/2 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3-3 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
Filling
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 2 apples finely diced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup sugar
Maple Glaze
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp milk
Instructions
Dough
  1. Dissolve yeast into 1/2 cup of warm water. Once it turns foamy you know it's activated (about 4-5 minutes). If it doesn't turn foamy, your yeast is dead and you'll need to use another packet.
  2. Mix (in a standing mixer or hand held) yeast with milk, butter, sugar, salt, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
  3. Add flour slowly, as to not explode flour everywhere. Start with 3 cups of flour.
  4. Mix dough until it pulls away from the bowl and turns into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add in the extra 1/2 cup of flour. If the dough is springy, it's ready.
  5. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes. Form into a ball.
  6. Place in an oiled bowl (I used cooking spray) and allow it to double in size, overnight in the fridge or for 1 1/2 - 2 hours in a warm place**
  7. Once the dough has doubled in sized, begin making the filling.
Filling
  1. In a small saucepan, cook diced apples with 2 Tbsp of butter, 1/4 c brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and heavy cream until apples have softened and the caramel sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes. Pull off the heat and allow to cool while you roll out the dough.
  2. Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface. The dough should be about 14x8" or 1/8" - 1/4" thick.
  3. Spread 2 Tbsp of butter over the dough and sprinkle with 1/4 c white sugar, 1/4 c brown sugar, and 2 tsp cinnamon.
  4. With a slotted spoon, spoon apples all over the dough. Drizzle just a bit of the caramel sauce the apples cooked in over the dough (too much and the dough will be too wet).
  5. Tightly roll up the dough and cut into 12-15 even slices.
  6. Place in two 9" greased cake pans (or any baking dish you have) making sure there is space between each roll. Allow to rise once again for 30 minutes, or until the rolls have risen and are touching each other.
  7. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15 mintutes, or until golden brown.
Maple Glaze
  1. Mix melted butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and milk together. Once it reaches your desired consistency, pour over the warm cinnamon rolls.
  2. Eat and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

**Preheat the oven to 175 degrees, turn it off, then allow the dough to rise in there. Make sure to cover the dough with a lightly damp towel.

*Adapted from Paula Deen.