Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
A tempting combination of silky caramel and tart apples all rolled up in a flaky and delicate cinnamon roll guaranteed to make any breakfast amazing.
For today’s post, we’re revisiting an old favorite; our caramel apple cinnamon rolls.
It’s been almost 3 years since we published this recipe, so it was due for an update, including process photos.
Kim took new pictures and modified the dish slightly to make it more approachable for new cooks. So, shall we get started?
How to Make Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls?
Caramel apple cinnamon rolls can be a tricky breakfast to make if you are new to cooking. So, we’ve provided detailed instructions and photos showing some of the process.
Cinnamon Roll Dough:
The first thing you will want to start is the dough. In a large mixing bowl combine two and half (2.5) cups of flour, with the sugar, salt, and yeast. Whisk the ingredients together.
Afterward, in a small pan, heat the water, milk, and butter to around 115°F. Then, add the warm mixture to the dry ingredients.
At this point you can add the egg.
Transfer the sticky dough to a stand mixer. Use a dough hook, on the lowest setting, and mix everything.
Add the rest of the flour a tablespoon at a time.
Once all of the flour has been added, continue to mix the dough for another 5-7 minutes. Now, lay the dough out on a floured surface.
Afterward, take the dough and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a rectangle.
It’s time to make the filling and create your cinnamon rolls.
Apple Filling, Assembly and Baking:
To make the filling, all you need to do is combine the apples, both sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg in small mixing bowl.
After that, spread the softened butter onto the dough. Then sprinkle the filling over the butter.
When you’ve finished adding the filling, roll the dough into a log and cut it into 10-12 rolls.
Place the apple cinnamon rolls into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F.
Cover the pan with foil or a kitchen towel and put it in a warm place for the dough to rise until the cinnamon rolls have doubled in size.
Once the rolls have doubled, bake them in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. While the pastries bake, the caramel sauce can be prepared.
Caramel Sauce:
In a small saucepan heat the heavy cream over low heat and add the caramel. Do not let the cream boil or it may break.
Slowly whisk the mixture until it smooth and creamy. Finally, pour the sauce over the apple cinnamon roll and dig in!
Can you freeze cinnamon rolls?
Actually, yes, you can freeze this recipe. With that being said, you’ll want to prep the rolls completely before freezing.
In other words, prepare the dough, cut the rolls, and place them into an aluminum pan. Let them rise, as directed, then cover them with plastic wrap and foil.
Now, they’re ready to freeze. The caramel apple cinnamon rolls will hold in your freezer for about 2 weeks.
When you’re ready to cook them, pop the rolls into a preheated oven (350°F.) for 25-35 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Why didn’t my cinnamon rolls rise?
Cinnamon rolls can fail to rise for a number of reasons. The yeast might have expired, the “warm spot,” wasn’t warm enough, the liquid you added to the yeast might have been too hot and killed it.
See what I mean? They’re can be numerous reasons why your dough didn’t rise. I recommend ruling them out one by one until you get it right.
Cooking, like any other skill, takes persistence and practice. Giving up and blaming the recipe, the cooking show host, etc. will not fix the dish.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 standard packet
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Filling
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 to 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, or to taste
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
Caramel Sauce
- 11 ounces caramel squares, We used Kraft brad.
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Dough
- Mix 2 ½ cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until well combined. Set aside.3 tablespoons granulated sugar1 teaspoon salt2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- Heat water, milk, and butter to about 115°F. Then add the mixture to the dry ingredients, and add an egg.½ cup water¼ cup milk3 tablespoons unsalted butter1 large egg
- Using a dough hook on a stand mixer, mix on a low setting. Add remaining flour a Tablespoon at a time to form a smooth dough. Continue to mix for 5-6 minutes.
- The dough will become smooth and elastic while completely pulling away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape.
Filling
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.2 to 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon¼ cup granulated sugar¼ cup light brown sugar½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Spread the softened butter on the rectangle of dough. Then, sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar mixture. Add the apples next.4 tablespoons unsalted butter1 apple
- Beginning with the long side of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough, so the cinnamon and sugar are on the inside. Cut the rolled dough into 10-12 even pieces.
- Place the cut dough into a greased 9 x 13-inch rectangle pan, and cover with a clean kitchen towle. Place rolls in a warm, draft-free place and allow to rise until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- After the rolls have doubled in size, bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool completely before adding the caramel sauce.
Caramel Sauce
- In medium sauce pan on low heat melt caramel and heavy cream together until smooth and fully incorporated. (Make sure the pan you use has tall sides. The caramel expands and can boil over.) Pour the caramel sauce over cooled cinnamon rolls.11 ounces caramel squares½ cup heavy cream
- Finally, store cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.