Caramel apple cinnamon rolls with caramel drizzle on a white plate

Caramel apple cinnamon rolls with caramel drizzle on a white plate

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Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls are a bakery-style breakfast favorite — soft, pillowy rolls swirled with brown sugar, tender apple pieces and a gooey caramel center. This easy homemade cinnamon roll recipe delivers bakery taste at home with a sweet caramel drizzle that makes them irresistible for brunch or dessert.

Prep Time: 35 mins • Cook Time: 20 mins • Chill Time: 2 hrs • Rise Time: 1 hr • Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins • Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 cups all-purpose or bread flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (0.25 oz) package active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra to grease pans)
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup high-quality caramel sauce, warmed (plus 1/2 cup for drizzling)
  • 1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped

Directions

  1. Warm liquids & bloom yeast: Combine milk and water and warm to 105–115°F. In stand mixer bowl whisk 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add eggs, melted butter and warm milk; mix on low until combined.
  2. Knead dough: Switch to dough hook; add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft sticky dough forms and pulls from bowl (3–5 minutes). Transfer to greased bowl, turn to coat, cover and chill 2 hours (or overnight) until easier to handle.
  3. Roll & fill: Grease two 9-inch pans. Punch down dough; divide in half. Roll one half to ~6×16 inches on floured surface. Spread 1/3 cup warmed caramel sauce, sprinkle half cinnamon-sugar (mix brown sugar + cinnamon) and scatter half the apples.
  4. Form rolls: Roll long edge to form a log; pinch seam. Slice into 8 (2-inch) rolls and arrange cut-side down in pan. Repeat with second half. Cover and let rise in warm spot until nearly doubled (~30 minutes).
  5. Bake & glaze: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake 20–24 minutes until golden. Cool 10 minutes, then drizzle with remaining 1/2 cup warm caramel. Serve warm.

Cook’s Note

Want shortcut rolls? Substitute two 1-lb packages frozen bread dough (thawed) and jump to the filling/rolling steps. For mini rolls slice each log into 16 pieces and reduce bake time by ~3–5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 278 | Total Fat 5g | Saturated Fat 3g | Cholesterol 34mg | Sodium 261mg | Carbs 53g | Fiber 1g | Sugars 27g | Protein 6g

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