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- Active dry yeast - Warm milk - Granulated sugar - Salt - Unsalted butter - Egg - All-purpose flour - Ground cinnamon - Apple (Granny Smith preferred) - Brown sugar - Chopped pecans (optional) - Caramel sauce To make caramel apple cinnamon rolls, gather these key ingredients. First, you need active dry yeast. This helps the dough rise. Use warm milk to activate the yeast. Make sure the milk is about 110°F. Next, add granulated sugar, which will sweeten the rolls. Salt is also important since it enhances flavor. Unsalted butter adds richness, while an egg gives structure. For the dough, all-purpose flour is essential. Ground cinnamon brings warmth and spice. You should use a Granny Smith apple for a tart bite. Brown sugar gives a deep, caramel flavor. Chopped pecans are optional, but they add a nice crunch. Lastly, pick a good caramel sauce for drizzling on top. This simple list makes a delightful treat. Each ingredient plays a role in creating rich flavors and soft textures. Enjoy the process of gathering your ingredients. To start, combine warm milk and yeast in a small bowl. The milk should be around 110°F. Stir gently. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. You want it to become bubbly and frothy. This shows the yeast is alive and ready. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, salt, melted butter, and one egg. Next, add the frothy yeast mixture. Stir until well combined. Gradually add all-purpose flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes. You want it to be smooth and elastic. After kneading, place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour. It should double in size. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, diced apple, and chopped pecans if you like. Make sure to blend well for even distribution. This mix will give the rolls their sweet and spicy flavor. Once your dough has risen, punch it down. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Spread the cinnamon-apple mixture evenly over the dough. Drizzle half the caramel sauce over the filling. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, giving them space to rise. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Bake for 25-30 minutes until they are golden brown. When they are done, drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the warm rolls. To get the best dough, look for a few signs. Well-kneaded dough should feel smooth and elastic. If it sticks to your hands, it needs more flour. Dust your hands and the surface lightly while kneading. This helps avoid sticky dough. For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using Granny Smith apples. Their tartness balances the sweetness of the caramel and sugar. You can also try Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter twist. Just make sure to peel and core them first. You can choose between store-bought and homemade caramel sauce. Store-bought is quick and easy, while homemade offers a richer taste. If you want to try something different, use cream cheese frosting or a drizzle of chocolate sauce instead. Both add a nice flair! {{image_2}} You can make your caramel apple cinnamon rolls even more exciting by adding spices. Try adding nutmeg or allspice to your filling. Both add warmth and depth. A pinch of ginger can also brighten the flavors. Mix these spices with the cinnamon, brown sugar, and diced apples for a delightful twist. If you need a nut-free version, simply skip the pecans. You can add more apples for crunch instead. Another idea is to include sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for extra texture. Just make sure to adjust the amount of filling so it stays balanced and delicious. To make these rolls vegan, you can swap out the dairy and egg. Use almond milk or oat milk in place of the warm milk. For the butter, coconut oil or a vegan butter works well. Replace the egg with a flax egg. To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. These changes will still give you tasty caramel apple cinnamon rolls. To keep your caramel apple cinnamon rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a piece of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. This keeps them tasty and moist. When you want to enjoy your rolls again, reheat them in the oven. Preheat it to 350°F. Wrap the rolls in foil to keep them soft. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. You can also use the microwave, but only for 15-20 seconds. This works best for a quick treat. If you want to save some for later, freezing is easy. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag and seal it. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat. Enjoy your sweet treat anytime! Yes, you can use other flours. Gluten-free flour blends work well. Just ensure the blend has xanthan gum. This helps mimic the texture of wheat flour. You may need to adjust the liquid. Start with less milk and add more if needed. To check if your rolls are done, look for a golden-brown color. Tap the top lightly; it should sound hollow. You can also insert a toothpick. If it comes out clean, your rolls are ready. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking. Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before. After mixing, place it in a greased bowl. Cover it and let it rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, take it out and let it warm up before rolling. This saves time and adds flavor. In this blog post, we explored the key ingredients for making delicious cinnamon rolls. We covered steps from activating yeast to baking the rolls. You learned tips on perfecting dough and variations for different diets. Finally, we discussed storage and reheating methods to enjoy your rolls later. Baking can be fun and rewarding. Follow these steps, and you’ll impress everyone with tasty rolls. Enjoy your baking journey!

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Delicious cinnamon rolls filled with caramel, apples, and spices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 0.5 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 apple peeled, cored, and finely diced (Granny Smith preferred)
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.25 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly and frothy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, salt, melted butter, and the egg. Add the frothy yeast mixture and stir until combined. Gradually add in flour until a soft dough forms.
  • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, finely diced apple, and pecans (if using). Mix well.
  • Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
  • Spread the cinnamon-apple mixture evenly over the rolled dough. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the filling.
  • Starting from one end, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the edges to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
  • Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving space for them to rise. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove the rolls from the oven and drizzle the remaining caramel sauce over the warm rolls while they cool slightly.

Notes

For best results, use Granny Smith apples.
Keyword apple, caramel, cinnamon rolls, dessert