2large apples, peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch chunks
¼teaspoonsalt
6tablespoonslight or dark brown sugar
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
1½teaspoonsground cinnamon
Dough
½cupwhole or reduced fat milk
¼cupunsalted butter, at room temperature
2tablespoonsgranulated sugar
2cupsall-purpose flour
1½teaspoonsactive dry or instant yeast
½teaspoonsalt
1large egg
Glaze
6tablespoonspowdered sugar
1tablespoonwhole milk or heavy whipping cream
¼teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare Filling
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apples and salt and cook until slightly softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon, and continue cooking, stirring often, until the apples are cooked through and the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely before using.
Prepare Dough
In a small saucepan combine milk, butter, and sugar and cook over medium low heat until lukewarm. The butter will not be completely melted, but should be lukewarm. If it is too hot it will kill the yeast, so wait a few minutes until it cools down before proceeding.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together all-purpose flour, yeast, and salt. With the machine running on low, add eggs and milk mixture. Knead on low speed until all of the dough comes together, then increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastix, about 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and allow it to double in size, about 1 hour.
Assemble Cinnamon Rolls
Set aside a parchment lined 9-inch round baking pan.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12”x14”. Spread the prepared filling evenly over the surface, leaving a ½-inch border along the edges.
Starting with the longer side, gently roll into a log. Lightly pinch the seams together. Using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss, trim and discard the edges, then gently slice into 8 segments. Place the rolls cut-side up in the prepared pans. Cover and allow them to rise until nearly doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes.
Once the rolls have risen, bake until lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool slightly before glazing.
Prepare Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over slightly cooled rolls.
Recipe Notes
Filling can be made beforehand and kept in the refrigerator.