Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Prep Time:

2 hours

Cook Time:

35 minutes

Serves:

6 Servings

Level:

Intermediate

About the Recipe

Combining two of my favorite fall desserts - caramel apples and cinnamon rolls. These are perfect for a fall treat and come out smelling amazing. They're super gooey and soft all over, the caramel adding a perfect touch of sweetness. While they make take some time to bake, they are so worth it and relatively easy if you follow the steps above! If you're still not sure of making homemade caramel by yourself, you can always buy some premade and heat it up before pouring over your rolls!

Ingredients

Dough

1/4 cup fine white sugar

2 tsp salt

7 oz soft unsalted butter

7 oz milk

4.5 cups bread flour

2 eggs

2 tsp instant yeast

Filling

1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar

5oz soft unsalted butter

2 green apples chopped

1 tbsp cinnamon

Caramel

1 cup sugar

6 tbsp unsalted butter (room temp)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp sea salt

Preparation

Step 1:

Begin with the caramel if you are making it from scratch. This can be difficult to make for the first time so be patient and don't give up! I would have the heavy cream already measured out and the room temperature butter chopped by the tbsp ready on the side so that you can immediately grab.

Step 2:

Begin by pouring your sugar into a pan on low-medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt until completely dissolved and browned. Do not stir the sugar, allow it to clump up and melt on its own. You can carefully move it around every few minutes. Once all the sugar is melted (may take up to 15minutes!), immediately take it off the heat. The sugar should be dark in color. Then immediately throw in the chopped butter and whisk constantly. Don’t stop whisking! It will bubble a lot, this is a good sign. Once the butter is melted completely and you're still whisking away, pour in the heavy cream and salt if needed. Once its all combined, pour into a container and let set to thicken on the counter.

Step 2:

For the dough, combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix it for a few minutes. until its combined Knead the dough until smooth for 4-6 minutes. Let it rise in a bowl for 1 hour!

Step 3:

For the filling, combine the softened butter with brown sugar and cinnamon. Put the bowl in the fridge to cool. This will make it easier to cut without spilling out much.

Step 4:

Chop up 1-2 green apples in very small pieces. Leave aside in a small bowl.

Step 5:

Roll out the proved dough to about 90 x 45cm, a large rectangle. Spread the cool filling on the top and sprinkle on the apples, not putting too much. Roll up like a snail from one end and use a string to cut out your cinnamon rolls. I usually get about 6-8 good rolls out of the dough.

Step 6:

Place into a pan around 8x8in or 9x9in dimensions. Any pan that will fit the 6 rolls side by side will work great. Let rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 7:

Finally, egg wash them (I use 1 egg and a splash of milk whisked together). Bake at 375F for about 30-35min. Drizzle on the caramel while hot! Enjoy!