Description
Learn how to make delicious Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting (you can substitute half with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons softened for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 medium apples, peeled and finely diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken the filling)
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Warm the milk until it reaches about 110°F—warm to the touch but not hot. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and stir gently. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This step is crucial: if it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be inactive, so start fresh.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter, egg, and the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding the remaining 1/2 cup flour gradually as needed. The dough should be soft, slightly tacky but not sticky. I always remember my early kitchen blunder with that oversalted chili and how patience in kneading made all the difference in texture—same principle here.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This is the perfect time to prepare your filling.
- For the filling, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes until the apples soften slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the apple mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out on a floured surface into a 15×10 inch rectangle.
- Brush the softened butter evenly over the dough, then spread the apple filling over the butter, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut into 12 equal rolls.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spacing them slightly apart. Cover and let rise for another 30-40 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. A light tap on top should sound hollow.
- While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Adjust thickness by adding more milk or sugar as needed.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before drizzling the glaze over the top. Serve warm for the best experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls, recipe, cooking, food
