Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey cinnamon roll bursting with tender apple chunks and dripping with rich caramel sauce. These aren't just any ordinary rolls - they're a decadent journey of flavors that transform a classic breakfast treat into a mouthwatering dessert experience. Perfect for cozy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or when you simply need a slice of pure culinary comfort, these Homemade Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls will revolutionize your baking game and leave everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 rolls
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup diced apples
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, and salt. Whisk together dry ingredients until well blended.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour warm milk, beaten egg, and melted butter into the well. Mix using a wooden spoon or electric mixer with dough hook until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- While dough is rising, prepare apple filling by combining diced apples with cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
- After dough has risen, punch down and roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle approximately 12x16 inches.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter across the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle cinnamon-apple mixture evenly across the buttered surface, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log shape. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut into 12 even rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, leaving slight space between each roll. Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and center is cooked through.
- Remove from oven and immediately drizzle warm caramel sauce over the hot rolls, allowing it to seep into the crevices.
- Let rolls cool for 10 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed warm with extra caramel sauce on the side.
Tips
- Ensure your milk is warm (not hot) when mixing with yeast to activate it properly without killing the cultures.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise flour measurement to guarantee the perfect dough consistency.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free, warm area - near a preheating oven works wonderfully.
- For clean, even roll cuts, use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife.
- Don't overbake! Remove rolls when they're golden brown to maintain moisture.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to your apple-cinnamon mixture.
- Warm your caramel sauce slightly before drizzling for easier spreading and deeper penetration into the rolls.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
