Gooey Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe For Fall Mornings

Sweet, gooey caramel apple cinnamon rolls dance with warm spices and decadent flavors that promise pure comfort.

Autumn’s favorite ingredients blend perfectly in this irresistible pastry.

Soft dough swirls around tender apple pieces and rich caramel sauce, creating a mouthwatering breakfast treat.

Cinnamon’s warm embrace weaves through each delectable bite, filling your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma.

These rolls elevate weekend mornings from ordinary to extraordinary with their luxurious texture and deep, complex flavors.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful recipe that transforms simple ingredients into something truly spectacular.

One bite promises to transport you to a cozy morning filled with pure culinary bliss.

What You’ll Use For Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides a soft, tender texture to the rolls, choose whole milk for richer flavor.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial for bread rising, ensure it's fresh and not expired for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness, helps with dough activation.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the rolls, select unbleached flour for better texture.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create flaky layers, use unsalted for better control of salt content.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Ground Cinnamon: Delivers warm, aromatic spice, fresher ground cinnamon provides more intense flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Offers deep caramel notes and moisture, choose dark brown sugar for more robust taste.
• Granny Smith Apples: Provides tartness and texture, select firm apples that hold shape during baking.

• Butter: Creates smooth base for caramel sauce, use high-quality unsalted butter.
• Brown Sugar: Develops rich caramel flavor, darker varieties offer deeper taste.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures silky, luxurious caramel consistency, use full-fat cream for best results.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

Baking Tools For Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dough ingredients smoothly and kneading.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for rolling out dough into a thin, even rectangle.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and presenting the cinnamon rolls.
• Small Saucepan: Necessary for creating the rich caramel sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Sharp Knife: Great for slicing the rolled dough into even cinnamon rolls.
• Towel or Plastic Wrap: Helps cover dough during rising stages.
• Floured Surface: Needed for rolling and kneading dough.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for mixing ingredients and stirring caramel sauce.

Steps To Prepare Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• Dough Preparation

Mix warm milk with yeast and sugar until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, and salt to create a soft mixture. Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Let the dough rest and rise in a warm spot for about an hour, watching it double in size.

• Flavor Infusion

Sprinkle a delightful blend of sugars and cinnamon across the rolled-out dough. Scatter freshly chopped apples evenly, creating a tantalizing layer of sweet and fruity goodness.

• Rolling and Shaping

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, transforming the flat surface into a beautiful spiral of deliciousness. Slice the log into even portions, nestling each roll into a baking dish with care.

• Oven Magic

Warm the oven to a perfect golden temperature. Bake the rolls until they turn a beautiful golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that promises pure comfort.

• Caramel Crowning

Create a luxurious caramel sauce by melting butter and sugar together. Gently stir in cream until the mixture becomes a silky, rich drizzle. Pour the warm caramel generously over the freshly baked rolls, allowing it to cascade down the sides and pool around the base.

Helpful Swaps For Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

• Cozy Dough Mastery: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven to ensure perfect rising and soft, fluffy texture.
• Apple Texture Magic: Dice apples into small, uniform pieces to distribute evenly and prevent large soggy chunks in your rolls, ensuring balanced flavor in every bite.
• Diet-Friendly Twist: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version. Use almond milk and plant-based butter to create a dairy-free alternative that doesn't compromise taste.
• Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow gradual warming and maintain incredible softness.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp for sweetness or Granny Smith for tartness. Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between apple layers for extra crunch and nutty depth.

Ways To Serve Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls Warm

• Sweet Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange these caramel apple cinnamon rolls on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh apple slices and sprinkled with powdered sugar for a stunning breakfast presentation.
• Cozy Morning Companion: Pair these warm rolls with a steaming mug of chai latte or hot apple cider to enhance the cinnamon and apple flavors, creating a comforting morning experience.
• Dessert Transformation: Serve slightly warmed rolls as a decadent dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the caramel sauce mingle with the melting cold cream.
• Party Sharing Platter: Create a communal dining moment by placing the rolls on a large round platter, encouraging guests to pull and share these gooey, caramel-drizzled treats during brunch gatherings.

How To Store Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls Soft

• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store cooled cinnamon rolls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
• Quick Reheat Magic: Warm refrigerated rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This restores their soft, fluffy texture and brings out the delicious caramel and cinnamon aromas.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Freeze unbaked rolls after the second rise by placing them in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They'll stay fresh for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the entire recipe up to the point of the second rise. Cover the rolls and store in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow them to come to room temperature and complete their final rise.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

Gooey Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Cinnamon roll lovers will adore this caramel apple cinnamon rolls recipe that blends sweet orchards with homemade comfort. Warm spices and rich caramel sauce elevate classic breakfast pastries into a memorable morning treat you can savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2.25 tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to foam and become frothy, signaling active yeast.
2. Dough Formation: Blend melted butter, egg, salt, and initial flour into the yeast mixture. Knead thoroughly on a floured surface or using a stand mixer’s dough attachment until a smooth, elastic dough develops.
3. First Rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, approximately one hour.
4. Filling Preparation: Mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Dice apples into small, uniform pieces for even distribution.
5. Dough Rolling and Filling: Roll out the risen dough into a rectangular shape. Spread softened butter across the surface, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture and scattered apple pieces.
6. Roll and Cut: Tightly roll the dough from the long edge, creating a compact log. Slice into twelve even sections and place in a greased baking dish with slight spacing between rolls.
7. Second Rise and Baking: Cover rolls and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake until golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes.
8. Caramel Sauce Creation: In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar, stirring until dissolved. Slowly add heavy cream and a pinch of salt, simmering until the sauce thickens slightly.
9. Finishing Touch: Drizzle warm caramel sauce generously over the freshly baked rolls, creating a decadent and inviting dessert.

Notes

• Manage Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast performance, preventing potential killing or sluggish fermentation.
• Control Dough Elasticity: Knead dough thoroughly until smooth and stretchy, which develops gluten structure and ensures light, airy texture in final rolls.
• Prevent Apple Moisture Overflow: Gently pat diced apples with paper towel to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy or waterlogged roll interiors.
• Customize Caramel Consistency: Continuously stir caramel sauce while simmering to avoid burning and achieve silky, glossy texture perfect for drizzling over warm rolls.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg