Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls 🍏🍩

Ingredients:

For the dough:

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

For the apple filling:

  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great choices)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon butter

For the cinnamon roll filling:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Make the dough:

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until frothy.
  2. Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the apple filling:

  1. Cook the apples: In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened. Set aside to cool slightly.

Assemble the cinnamon rolls:

  1. Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  2. Add the cinnamon filling: Spread the softened butter over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
  3. Add the apple filling: Spoon the apple mixture over the cinnamon sugar, distributing the apples evenly across the dough.
  4. Roll up the dough: Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
  5. Slice the rolls: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Bake the rolls:

  1. Let them rise: Cover the rolls with a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffed up.
  2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Bake the rolls: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Make the glaze:

  1. Prepare the glaze: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.

Serve:

  1. Glaze the rolls: Once the rolls are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes, then drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls.
  2. Enjoy: Serve your warm Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy the cozy flavors of fall!

Tips:

  • For extra apple flavor: You can add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for some extra crunch.
  • Make ahead: You can prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerating them after assembling, and then bake them in the morning for fresh rolls.
  • No apples? You can swap in other fruits, like pears or even berries, to make this a versatile treat!

Nutrition (per roll, makes about 12 rolls):

  • Calories: 310
  • Protein: 4g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 46g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 200mg