In case you weren’t aware, apples are a favorite around here. I eat an apple every single day (even in the off-season, which I hate to admit). So when Fall finally rolls around and local US-grown apples begin to fill the fruit stands, I bake with them as often as I can.
Cinnamon rolls aren’t something I grew up eating. To be honest, my earliest memory of a cinnamon roll is located in the middle of a suburban food court. Thankfully, when I learned to bake, I made a batch of cinnamon rolls early on. My house smelled just as delicious as those ubiquitous cinnabons, and I couldn’t believe that I could produce something even lovelier (with real, normal ingredients too!)
Last night, after a long day of teaching, I knew I needed to bake to unwind. With cooler days increasing my desire for comfort food, cinnamon rolls floated to the top of my list. But then I thought of my beloved apples; I wanted to do something with the apples sitting in my fridge. And so, I decided to grate an apple. Grated apple can do wonders in quick breads…and I thought, why not try adding one to the dough of my cinnamon rolls? And just as I hoped…the grated apple added moisture and just the right amount of flavor. We enjoyed these apple cinnamon rolls with a drizzle of maple syrup the next morning.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
1 packet instant yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup lukewarm whole milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1 large apple, peeled and grated (about 1 cup)
Filling:
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons milk, to brush on dough
Vanilla Glaze (optional):
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream
Combine the yeast, the lukewarm water, the lukewarm milk, the flours, the butter, the sugar, the salt, the potato flakes, and the grated apple. Mix and knead everything together–by hand or mixer–till you have a smooth dough. This will take about seven minutes if you are kneading with your stand mixer. The dough should clean the sides of the bowl, perhaps sticking a bit at the bottom.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise till it has nearly doubled in bulk, about 1 to 2 hours.
While the dough is rising, grease two nine-inch cake pans. Make the filling by combining the coconut sugar and cinnamon.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface and pat it into a 16″ x 12″ rectangle. Brush the dough with the two teaspoons of milk and sprinkle the filling over the dough, covering the entire surface. Roll the dough into a log the long way. It will stretch to about 20″ as you roll.
Using a serrated knife, slice the log into 16 slices. Space eight rolls in each of the prepared pans. Flatten them slightly. Cover the pans and let them rise for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 hours. They should spread out and start to crowd each other. While the rolls are rising, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the rolls until they’re golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove the rolls from the oven, loosen their edges with a knife, and turn pan onto a rack. Spread with icing (simply combine powdered sugar with vanilla and cream) and serve.
I just bought a bunch more apples this weekend. Tis the season.
Love the addition of the apple. These look better than the ones at the mall! Thanks for sharing!
These sound so lovely and comforting! And I am in love with the shot that has your daughter’s hand – so sweet. It makes me miss my guys being little. : ) She’s adorable!
haha, it is obvious and AWESOME that apples are your fav! Loving these rolls. A must make for sure.
I love when my kitchen smells like freshly baked cinnamon rolls! So interesting that you used mashed potato flakes in these!
These are simply gorgeous!! Love the grated apples in the rolls 😉
These rolls sounds so good! I too did not grow up eating cinnamon rolls, so I rarely think to make them, but if they’re packed with lots of fresh fall apple? Yes, please!
I’m normally a pretty big fan of the delicious frosting you often find on cinnamon rolls, but drizzling maple syrup on top is SUCH a good idea. We’ll have to try that.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes, as always!
I don’t eat nearly as many apples as I should! I need to start cutting them up and brining them to work with me. These cinnamon rolls look amazing, and I also don’t eat nearly as many cinnamon rolls as I should, haha! I love the little hand reaching for them 🙂
Not only do these look absolutely delicious (goes without saying) but I was intrigued to see potato flakes in in the recipe. How wonderful to have one of these (warmed up?) for breakfast!
Your rolls are just gorgeous Monet, and so is your precious princess!! I hope you are doing well and send you love xx
Will try this trick (never thought of adding grated apple to my baked goods). Love the last picture!
I love Lucy’s hand in that one picture! So cute!! And these cinnamon rolls sound wonderful! I can’t stop buying apples like mad so I’m on the lookout for lots of different ways to use them up!
Wow, they’re perfect! 🙂
These look so, so good. I grew up eating cinnamon buns, and I have never stopped loving them 🙂
Apple Cinnamon rolls….Absolutely soulful and comforting. Love, love, it.
Velva
These look delicious! And you take such beautiful photos 🙂
I’m so glad you’re doing something that you love. Being connected to your work is important… and it sounds like you’ve found your calling.
Also, I realized I just commented on the wrong post (I had been looking at the cookies and then I scrolled down to this one by accident… a happy accident). I adore that picture of the two of them on the floor. So sweet.