Gourmet Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Indulge in the ultimate breakfast treat with these Gourmet Apple Cinnamon Rolls! Perfectly fluffy and cinnamon-kissed, these rolls are made from scratch using wholesome ingredients that balance sweetness and spice. Each bite features a delightful filling of tender Granny Smith apples, infused with warm cinnamon and a hint of brown sugar, creating a comforting flavor that’s perfect for any morning. With less sugar and no overly sweet icing, these rolls are perfect for those who appreciate a more subtle sweetness. Ideal for slow weekend mornings or a special brunch, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends while honoring my husband’s favorite fruit – the apple!
12
Servings
217
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Warm water
1/4 cup (Warm to 105-110°F)
Powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon (Mix with warm water)
Dry active yeast
1 (1/4 ounce) package (Activate in warm water)
Skim milk
3/4 cup (Warm in a saucepan)
Unsalted butter
5 tablespoons (Use in dough and filling, melted)
Applesauce
7 tablespoons (Part of dough and filling)
Nonfat sour cream
1/4 cup (Mix with warm milk)
Eggs
2 large (Beat before adding to the mixture)
Flour
4 1/2 cups (Gradually add to dough)
Sugar
1/4 cup (Mix with butter in the dough)
Brown sugar
3 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons (Use in filling and topping)
Ground cinnamon
4 1/2 teaspoons (Use in filling and topping)
Granny Smith apples
2 large (Wash, peel, and dice)
Walnuts
1/4 - 1/2 cup (Chop for topping)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, mix the warm water, powdered sugar, and yeast together. Set it aside for about 10 minutes, until it becomes foamy.
2
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the skim milk, nonfat sour cream, unsalted butter, sugar, and applesauce. Stir gently until warm but do not boil. Once warmed, remove from heat.
3
Gently stir in the yeast mixture until well combined.
4
Add the eggs and beat well until thoroughly mixed.
5
Gradually incorporate the flour, one cup at a time, stirring until the dough is smooth.
6
Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is elastic and smooth.
7
Place the kneaded dough into a large bowl, cover, and let it rise in a cool oven for about 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
8
While the dough rises, prepare the apple filling. Wash, peel, and dice the Granny Smith apples.
9
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the unsalted butter, applesauce, diced apples, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir frequently until the apples are fork-tender. This should take around 10-15 minutes.
10
Once tender, transfer the apple mixture to a food processor or blender. Pulse until the apple pieces are finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.
11
After the dough has risen, flour your work surface and sprinkle it lightly with ground cinnamon.
12
Roll out the dough into a large rectangle shape, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
13
Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the dough, leaving at least a 1-inch margin along one of the longer edges.
14
Beginning from the opposite long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, using a little water to seal the edge at the end.
15
Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal slices using a piece of string or unflavored dental floss to avoid squishing the rolls.
16
Place the sliced rolls swirl side up in a greased and floured cake pan, leaving a little space between each one.
17
Let the rolls rest, covered with a clean towel, in a cool oven for 1 hour, or you can refrigerate overnight for a delightful breakfast treat.
18
Before baking, prepare the topping by pulsing together the chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a food processor. Sprinkle this topping generously over the rolls.
19
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Enjoy fresh out of the oven!
Nutrition Information
6.7g
Fat
33.3g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Apple Cinnamon Rolls?
They are a fluffy, cinnamon-kissed breakfast treat filled with tender Granny Smith apples and a hint of brown sugar, designed with a subtle sweetness.
How many calories are in one apple cinnamon roll?
Each serving contains approximately 217 calories.
What type of apples should be used for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 large Granny Smith apples, which provide a tart flavor that balances the sweetness.
How long does the dough need to rise initially?
The dough should rise in a cool oven for about 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the rolls and refrigerate them overnight before baking for a fresh breakfast treat the next morning.
How many rolls does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 12 equal slices or rolls.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the rolls.
How long do the rolls need to bake?
Bake the rolls for 35 to 45 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
What is used for the topping instead of icing?
The topping consists of a pulsed mixture of chopped walnuts, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
What is the best way to cut the dough without squishing the rolls?
Use a piece of string or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into equal slices cleanly.
How do you activate the yeast for this recipe?
Mix the dry active yeast with warm water and a 1/4 teaspoon of powdered sugar, then let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each roll contains 6.7 grams of fat.
How much protein is in each Gourmet Apple Cinnamon Roll?
There are 5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count per roll?
Each serving has 33.3 grams of carbohydrates.
Should the milk and butter mixture be boiled?
No, you should stir the mixture over low heat until warm, but do not allow it to boil.
What ingredients are used to keep the fat content lower?
The recipe uses skim milk, nonfat sour cream, and applesauce to maintain moisture with less fat.
How thick should the dough be when rolled out?
The dough should be rolled into a large rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
How do you prepare the apple filling?
Combine diced apples, butter, applesauce, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium-low heat until fork-tender, then pulse in a food processor.
Should the apple filling be hot when applied to the dough?
No, you should set the apple filling aside to cool before spreading it over the dough.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe uses 4 1/2 cups of standard flour, incorporated gradually until the dough is smooth.
How much cinnamon is required for the entire recipe?
A total of 4 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon is used across the filling, topping, and surface prep.
How do you seal the edge of the dough log?
Use a little bit of water to seal the edge of the dough after rolling it into a log.
Can I omit the walnuts from the topping?
Yes, if you have a nut allergy or preference, you can leave out the walnuts.
How many eggs are needed for the dough?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs, which should be beaten well before adding to the mixture.
What kind of pan should be used for baking?
The rolls should be placed in a greased and floured cake pan.
What is the texture of the dough after kneading?
The dough should be kneaded until it is elastic and smooth.
How much butter is used in the dough and filling combined?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Is there a second rise time after shaping the rolls?
Yes, the sliced rolls should rest covered in a cool oven for 1 hour before baking.
How much brown sugar is in the filling and topping?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of brown sugar in the filling and 2 tablespoons in the topping.
What temperature should the water be for activating the yeast?
The warm water should be between 105-110°F for proper yeast activation.