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Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Indulgent Apple Cinnamon Rolls that Embrace Cozy Mornings

These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful breakfast treat combining fluffy dough with spiced apples and creamy frosting, perfect for cozy mornings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
First Rise 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour bread flour can be used for chewier texture
  • 0.25 cups granulated sugar brown sugar can elevate flavor
  • 1 teaspoon salt essential for optimal taste
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast ensure it's fresh for best results
  • 1 cups milk whole or plant-based alternative
  • 0.25 cups unsalted butter margarine can be used
  • 1 large egg for vegan use a flax egg
For the Filling
  • 3 cups apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji) any firm variety can be used
  • 0.25 cups light brown sugar dark brown sugar enhances flavor
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated enhances flavor
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice vinegar can substitute
For the Frosting
  • 8 ounces cream cheese vegan cream cheese for dairy-free
  • 2 cups powdered sugar adjust quantity to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract almond extract for a twist
  • milk (for frosting) to adjust consistency

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Dish
  • Whisk
  • Rolling Pin

Method
 

Dough Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 cups of all-purpose flour, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of warm milk with 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast, allowing it to foam for about 5 minutes.
  3. Mix the foamy yeast mixture into the dry ingredients along with ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 large egg.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth, about 8-10 minutes.
First Rise
  1. Transfer the kneaded dough to a greased bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Place it in a warm area to rise until it doubles in size, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Prepare Filling
  1. While the dough rises, peel, core, and dice 3 cups of apples into small pieces.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the diced apples with ¼ cup of light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Shape Rolls
  1. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle approximately 16 by 12 inches.
  2. Evenly spread the apple filling over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  3. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased baking dish, cut side up.
Second Rise
  1. Cover the baking dish with a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm spot for another 30 to 45 minutes.
Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and the apple filling is bubbling.
Frost and Enjoy
  1. Let the baked rolls cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
  2. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by mixing 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 cups of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  3. Add milk to reach your desired consistency, then generously frost the slightly cooled rolls and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Explore customization options such as mixing in nuts or trying different apple varieties to make your Apple Cinnamon Rolls uniquely yours.

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