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Freshly baked golden-brown cinnamon rolls topped with glistening caramelized diced apple pie filling, viewed from above.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Indulge in the comforting flavors of apple pie combined with soft, sweet cinnamon rolls. These delightful pastries feature a tender dough wrapped around a spiced apple filling, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 376
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 500 g all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 2.25 tsp instant dry yeast
  • 120 g sugar
  • 240 ml lukewarm milk
  • 60 g unsalted melted butter cooled to room temperature
  • 1 egg at room temperature
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract or essence
For the Apple Filling
  • 900 g apples Pink Lady, Fuji or Royal Gala recommended
  • 60 g unsalted butter
  • 170 g brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp water

Method
 

  1. Combine flour, salt, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Add lukewarm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  3. While the dough rises, peel, core, and dice the apples. In a saucepan, melt butter, then add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, salt, and water. Cook over medium heat until apples are tender and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Let cool completely.
  4. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle (approx. 12x18 inches). Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
  5. Starting from one long edge, tightly roll up the dough. Slice the roll into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
  6. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Serve warm, optionally with a simple glaze or cream cheese frosting.

Notes

For best results, ensure all cold ingredients like milk and egg are at room temperature before mixing the dough. This helps activate the yeast and creates a softer texture.