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Merry

Easy Homemade Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls combine the soft, gooey texture of cinnamon rolls with the sweet tang of caramelized apples and creamy caramel icing. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy treat, these rolls are bursting with warm fall flavors that everyone will love.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 rolls
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apple Filling:
  • 4 large Honeycrisp apples 1000g, peeled, cored, and cubed
  • 1/2 cup 113g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups 300g light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1/4 cup 60g water
  • 1/4 cup 30g cornstarch
  •  
Cinnamon Roll Dough:
  • 4 1/4 cups 550g all-purpose flour
  • 4 1/2 tsp 14g instant dry yeast (2 packets)
  • 1 tsp 6g fine salt
  • 1 cup 245g whole milk
  • 1/2 cup 125g unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup 113g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup 100g granulated sugar
  •  
Caramel Sauce:
  • 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
  • 6 Tbsp 85g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup 60g heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  •  
Caramel Cream Cheese Icing:
  • 1/4 cup 56g cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup 56g unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup 60g caramel sauce (from above)
  • 2 tsp 8g vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1 1/2 cups 190g powdered sugar

Method
 

  1. Make the Apple Filling
  2. Peel, core, and cube apples into 1 cm pieces.
  3. In a skillet, melt butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over medium-high heat until bubbling.
  4. Mix water and cornstarch to form a slurry, add it to the skillet, and cook for 5–10 minutes until thickened and apples are soft.
  5. Cool the filling in a wide tray in the fridge.
  6. Prepare the Dough
  7. In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt.
  8. Warm milk, applesauce, butter, and sugar in the microwave for 1 minute until warm (not hot).
  9. Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until the dough is elastic and smooth.
  10. Adjust with extra flour if needed to avoid stickiness. Let rest for 10–20 minutes.
  11. Assemble the Rolls
  12. Roll the dough into a 24 x 18-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
  13. Spread softened butter evenly, then layer with the cooled apple filling.
  14. Slice the dough into 12 strips, roll them up, and place in a greased 9x13-inch pan.
  15. Let the Rolls Rise
  16. Overnight Option: Cover and refrigerate. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
  17. Same-Day Option: Let rolls rise in a warm, turned-off oven for 30 minutes.
  18. Bake the Rolls
  19. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 28–34 minutes, rotating halfway, until golden brown.
  20. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  21. Make the Caramel Sauce
  22. Melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until amber-colored. Stir in butter, heavy cream, and salt until smooth. Cool before using.
  23. Prepare the Icing
  24. Mix cream cheese, butter, caramel sauce, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar.
  25. Serve
  26. Spread icing over warm rolls and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Notes

  • For a tangier filling, substitute Honeycrisp apples with Granny Smith.
  • Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat rolls in the microwave for 20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
  • This recipe can be halved for a smaller batch.
Enjoy making and indulging in these decadent Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls!

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