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Cozy Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with Caramel Drizzle and Pecans

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A comforting twist on classic cinnamon rolls featuring apple pie-inspired filling, a luscious caramel drizzle, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for cozy weekend mornings or festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted plus extra for brushing
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely chopped
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar (for caramel drizzle)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter (for caramel drizzle)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt (for caramel drizzle)
  • ½ cup (60g) pecans, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
  2. Warm milk to about 110°F (43°C). Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg to dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, or knead with a stand mixer dough hook for 5-6 minutes.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  5. While dough rises, mix chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and softened butter. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  6. Punch down dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 16×12 inch rectangle.
  7. Spread apple filling evenly over dough, leaving a small border around edges.
  8. Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Seal edge with water.
  9. Cut log into 12 even slices about 1 ½ inches thick.
  10. Arrange rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving space to expand. Cover and let rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy.
  11. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if tops brown too fast.
  12. While baking, prepare caramel drizzle by melting brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.
  13. Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
  14. Drizzle warm caramel over hot rolls and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
  15. Let rolls cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure milk is warm but not hot to protect yeast. Drain excess liquid from apple filling to avoid soggy rolls. Tent rolls with foil if browning too quickly. Caramel can be rewarmed if it thickens before drizzling. Dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie cinnamon rolls, caramel drizzle, pecans, fall dessert, cinnamon rolls recipe, cozy breakfast, baked apple rolls

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