Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

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A tempting combination of silky caramel and tart apples all rolled up in a flaky and delicate cinnamon roll guaranteed to make any breakfast amazing.

For today’s post, we’re revisiting an old favorite; our caramel apple cinnamon rolls.

It’s been almost three (3) years since we published this recipe, so it was due for an update, including process photos.

Kim took new pictures and modified the dish slightly to make it more approachable for new cooks. So, shall we get started?

One finished apple cinnamon roll drizzled with warm caramel sauce.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls?

Caramel apple cinnamon rolls can be a tricky breakfast to make if you are new to cooking. So, we’ve provided detailed instructions and photos showing some of the process.

Cinnamon Roll Dough:

The first thing you will want to start is the dough. In a large mixing bowl combine two and half (2.5) cups of flour, with the sugar, salt, and yeast. Whisk the ingredients together.

Flour, yeast, and other ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Afterward, in a small pan, heat the water, milk, and butter to around 115°F. Then, add the warm mixture to the dry ingredients.

At this point you can add the egg.

Butter, milk, and water in a large glass measuring cup.

Transfer the sticky dough to a stand mixer. Use a dough hook, on the lowest setting, and mix everything.

Add the rest of the flour a tablespoon at a time.

Once all of the flour has been added, continue to mix the dough for another five (5) to seven (7) minutes. Now, lay the dough out on a floured surface.

The sticky dough has been mixed with a dough hook.

Afterward, take the dough and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a rectangle.

It’s time to make the filling and create your cinnamon rolls.

The cinnamon roll dough has been buttered and rolled out.

Apple Filling, Assembly and Baking:

To make the filling, all you need to do is combine the apples, both sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg in small mixing bowl.

After that, spread the softened butter onto the dough. Then sprinkle the filling over the butter.

Cinnamon and apple filling has been added to the dough.

When you’ve finished adding the filling, roll the dough into a log and cut it into ten (10) to twelve (12) rolls.

Place the apple cinnamon rolls into a greased nine (9) by thirteen (13) inch pan. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Twelve uncooked apple cinnamon rolls in a large baking dish.

Cover the pan with foil or a kitchen towel and put it in a warm place for the dough to rise until the cinnamon rolls have doubled in size.

Once the rolls have doubled, bake them in the preheated oven for about twenty-five (25) minutes. While the pastries bake, the caramel sauce can be prepared.

Caramel Sauce:

In a small saucepan heat the heavy cream over low heat and add the caramel. Do not let the cream boil or it may break.

Warm caramel sauce being drizzled over the finished cinnamon rolls.

Slowly whisk the mixture until it smooth and creamy. Finally, pour the sauce over the apple cinnamon roll and dig in!

Can you freeze cinnamon rolls?

Actually, yes, you can freeze this recipe. With that being said, you’ll want to prep the rolls completely before freezing.

In other words, prepare the dough, cut the rolls, and place them into an aluminum pan. Let them rise, as directed, then cover them with plastic wrap and foil.

A baked cinnamon roll being scooped from the baking dish.

Now, they’re ready to freeze. The caramel apple cinnamon rolls will hold in your freezer for about two (2) weeks.

When you’re ready to cook them, pop the rolls into a preheated oven (350 degrees F.) for twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35) minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

Why didn’t my cinnamon rolls rise?

Cinnamon rolls can fail to rise for a number of reasons. The yeast might have expired, the “warm spot,” wasn’t warm enough, the liquid you added to the yeast might have been too hot and killed it.

See what I mean? They’re can be numerous reasons why your dough didn’t rise. I recommend ruling them out one by one until you get it right.

Cooking, like any other skill, takes persistence and practice. Giving up and blaming the recipe, the cooking show host, etc. will not fix the dish.

Two cinnamon rolls, on plates, topped with warm caramel sauce.

Still have leftover apples? Then try making a fresh apple cake!

If you like our caramel apple cinnamon rolls recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe card. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram searching for Berly’s Kitchen!

A baked cinnamon roll being scooped from the baking dish.

Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

5 from 5 votes
Print Pin
Author: John
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, 1 standard packet
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Filling

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, or to taste
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced

Caramel Sauce

  • 11 ounces caramel squares, We used Kraft brad.
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions
 

Dough

  • Mix 2 ½ cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until well combined. Set aside.
    3 tablespoons granulated sugar
    1 teaspoon kosher salt
    2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • Heat water, milk, and butter to about 115°F. Then add the mixture to the dry ingredients, and add an egg.
    ½ cup water
    ¼ cup milk
    3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    1 large egg
  • Using a dough hook on a stand mixer, mix on a low setting. Add remaining flour a Tablespoon at a time to form a smooth dough. Continue to mix for 5-6 minutes.
  • The dough will become smooth and elastic while completely pulling away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape.

Filling

  • In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
    2 to 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
    ¼ cup granulated sugar
    ¼ cup light brown sugar
    ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Spread the softened butter on the rectangle of dough. Then, sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar mixture. Add the apples next.
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    1 apple
  • Beginning with the long side of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough, so the cinnamon and sugar are on the inside. Cut the rolled dough into 10-12 even pieces.
  • Place the cut dough into a greased 9 x 13-inch rectangle pan, and cover with a clean kitchen towle. Place rolls in a warm, draft-free place and allow to rise until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • After the rolls have doubled in size, bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and cool completely before adding the caramel sauce.

Caramel Sauce

  • In medium sauce pan on low heat melt caramel and heavy cream together until smooth and fully incorporated. (Make sure the pan you use has tall sides. The caramel expands and can boil over.) Pour the caramel sauce over cooled cinnamon rolls.
    11 ounces caramel squares
    ½ cup heavy cream
  • Finally, store cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 324mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg

Notes

The calorie count listed is an approximation based on the ingredients and a serving size of 1 caramel apple cinnamon roll drizzled with around 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce. Actual calories will vary.
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