Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls
Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls are filled with cinnamon sugar and apples, topped with an apple cider cream cheese frosting. This is the perfect fall breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
DOUGH:
- 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package, (1/4 ounce instant yeast)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1/4 cup apple cider or juice
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
FILLING:
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups finely chopped and peeled green Granny Smith apples
- 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
APPLE CIDER CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cups apple cider or juice
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine 2-1/4 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, cider and 1/4 cup butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Add in enough remaining flour (up to 1 cup as needed) to form a soft dough. You will know when you added enough because the dough will start to come away from the sides of the bowl and form a ball. Knead with the stand mixer for 5 minutes. You can knead by hand here if you don't have a mixture.
- Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll into a 15x10-in. rectangle. For the filling, spread remaining 1/3 cup butter to within 1/2 inch of edges. Combine the apples, brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over butter.
- Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices or 15 smaller rolls. Place cut side down in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
- While rolls are rising, reduce the apple cider for frosting. Place cider and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick; cool cider.
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes or until center is set. You want to cook long enough so that the apples cook.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat slowly until combined. Add 2 tablespoons of the reduced apple cider. Beat until smooth. Add more apple cider if desired to reach desired consistency. Spread over warm rolls.
Notes
Adapted from Taste of Home
Changed frosting and reduced the cinnamon a bit.