Name: Salted Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast; 1/2 cup lukewarm water; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup warm milk; 1/3 cup melted butter; 1 egg (room temperature); 1 1/2 tsp salt; 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 4-5 apples - peeled and diced (use good baking apples); 5 tbsp butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp nutmeg or apple pie spice (optional); 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp milk; 3 tbsp warmed salted caramel

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Cinnamon Rolls Worth Making From Scratch

These days it’s not very often that both my guys and I are home together on a weekend morning, but last weekend that very thing happened. I wanted to make something special for breakfast, and cinnamon rolls immediately came to mind. Since I still had some of the delicious Salted Caramel Sauce I made earlier in the week, I thought “Ewww wee! Salted Caramel Apples!” (Yes, a girl from Texas really does say “Ewww wee” sometimes.) I mean, it is fall and there are bushels and pecks of apples everywhere.

“I really don’t think I need buns of steel. I’d be happy with buns of cinnamon.” – Ellen DeGeneres

Making cinnamon rolls from scratch does take a bit more time, but they are soooo worth it! They are tender and flaky, with no preservatives or added “stuff”. And the great thing about this recipe is you can make the rolls the night before, and bake them the next morning!

Making The Dough

I use instant yeast, so it only takes about 10 minutes for it to activate. How perfect is that? Mix the yeast with water and sugar and let it sit until it starts to bubble. Then you mix the yeast mixture, warm milk, melted butter, egg, salt and flour together until it forms a dough.

Knead the dough in a stand mixer (or by hand on a floured surface) about 5-10 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl cleanly. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for another 30 seconds or so. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and cover. Let stand in a warm place (the oven or microwave – turned off – work well) and allow to rise until doubled in size (about 90 minutes).

The Apples Are Everything!

While the dough is rising, melt butter in a skillet at medium high heat, then add apples, sugar, brown sugar, and spices. You can use whatever kind of baking apples you prefer. I like to use a combination of tart Granny Smith and sweet apples like Honeycrisp. Just make sure you choose firm apples that won’t get mushy when you cook them! Saute until the apples are just tender and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Making the Rolls

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and turn it out of the bowl onto a floured surface. Roll into a 16 x 24-inch rectangle, with the long side nearest you. Spread the cooled apple mixture over the dough, leaving about 3/4 inch on the top edge (the apples will shift toward the top as you roll). Begin with the long edge nearest you, and roll the edge upward into a tight cylinder 24-inches long. Once you are finished rolling, press the edge of the seam together to help seal.

With the seam facing down, cut the cylinder into 2″ slices (a long piece of unflavored dental floss works great for this!).

Place the slices in a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish, about 1 inch apart. Cover tightly with plastic. At this point you can put them in the fridge if you are storing them over night. If not, go straight to the next step.

When you are ready to cook, place the covered rolls in a warm spot in your kitchen and allow to rise for one hour. As they rise they will fill in that space you left between them.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes (if you can wait that long!). Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salted caramel sauce to make the icing. You can use store-bought caramel sauce, or make your own (which I highly recommend because it’s delicious and you can use it on so many other things too). Drizzle the caramel icing over the rolls and wait for the hugs! Oh my! The tart-sweetness of the apples, the delicate dough, the rich caramel icing…what’s not to love?

Give these try…your family will gobble them up!

And don’t forget to put A Slice of Spice into your every day!

Michele