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4.89 from 34 votes

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Caramel apple cinnamon rolls stuffed with cinnamon, brown sugar, granny smith apples and drizzled with homemade apple cider caramel sauce. My cinnamon rolls have the most wonderful, bakery-style, buttery flavor! The perfect fall treat!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Breads
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 232kcal
Author: Marzia

Ingredients

Cinnamon Roll Dough:

  • 4 tablespoons melted salted butter or ghee
  • ¾ cup milk such as dairy, almond,etc
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3¼ -3¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 2 tablespoons powdered milk
  • 1 egg room temperature

Caramel Apple Filling:

  • cup light brown sugar packed
  • 5 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 5 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple cored and chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans optional
  • ¾ cup caramel sauce homemade or store-bought

Instructions

  • WARM: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk and water for 30-45 seconds. Check the temperature, it should be about 105-108ºF. If it’s hotter, you’ll need to allow it to cool at room temp until it reaches that range. Add the melted cooled butter to the milk mixture.
  • DOUGH: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook (or hand mixer with dough hook) combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, and yeast. Mix for a few seconds, then pour in the milk mixture and egg. Beat on medium-low speed until the flour is incorporated; about 5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, add ¼ cup of flour at a time until it pulls away and forms a ball. Run the mixture for another 5 minutes on medium speed. Remove dough from hook, spray dough with oil spray, and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • CINNAMON BROWN SUGAR: In a small now, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg; set aside.
  • MAKE ROLLS: Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. With a floured rolling pin, roll it out into a 14x10 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the surface using a butter knife. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Top with apple and pecan pieces. Drizzle ½ of the caramel sauce on top. Roll the dough tightly, tuck and pinch the ends and cut into 12 even pieces, using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place rolls in a lightly greased or parchment-lined 13x9 baking pan.
  • REST: Loosely cover with a towel and allow the rolls to rise in a warm, dark place for 20-35 minutes. TIP: heat a 200ºF oven, turn the oven OFF and place rolls inside.
  • BAKE: Remove the dish from the oven. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Bake the rolls for 16-22 minutes or until golden. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Drizzle with remaining caramel sauce and serve warm.

Notes

    Alternate pans: If you bake these cinnamon rolls in a 9-inch round pie dish, you’ll only be able to fit 11 rolls. You can also bake these in a muffin pan to get individual cinnamon rolls.
Update 9/22: recipe updated with minor edits and easier to follow directions.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g
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