Description
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls combine soft, fluffy dough swirled with spiced apples and cinnamon, topped with a luscious caramel glaze. This indulgent fall-inspired treat offers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and gooey flavors, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup whole milk, warm
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
Apple Filling
- 2 medium fresh apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Caramel Glaze
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional, for finishing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp of granulated sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the apples into small uniform pieces. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then add the apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Sauté gently for 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender but still slightly crisp and fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Roll and Fill the Dough: Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 16×12 inches). Evenly spread the cooled apple filling over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle extra cinnamon and brown sugar over the filling for additional gooey pockets. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a spiral.
- Cut and Bake the Rolls: Slice the rolled dough into 12 even pieces and place them in a greased baking dish, spacing them slightly apart. Cover and allow them to rise for another 20-30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
- Make the Caramel Glaze: While the rolls bake, combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes glossy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and immediately drizzle the warm caramel glaze liberally over the top. Optionally, sprinkle with powdered sugar or chopped toasted nuts before serving for extra texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure proper yeast activation and dough rise.
- Do not overfill with apple mixture to prevent soggy rolls.
- Cut rolls evenly for uniform baking and attractive presentation.
- Watch baking time carefully; slightly underbaked rolls remain moist and gooey.
- Drizzle caramel glaze while still warm for ideal absorption and shine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: caramel, apple, cinnamon rolls, fall dessert, breakfast pastry, cinnamon, caramel glaze, spiced apples, soft dough