Apple Caramel Cinnamon Buns

Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls stuffed with brown sugar & apples, and glazed with homemade caramel sauce.

DOUGH:
1 ¼ cups 2% milk, (heat to to 105 F)
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 pkg) instant dry yeast
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon salt

FILLING:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 medium sized apples, peeled, cored, & thinly sliced (about 1.5 cups)
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

CARAMEL SAUCE:
1/4 cup unsalted butter (or salted)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 1/2 Tablespoons heavy cream (no substitutions)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix milk and yeast in a bowl and stir with a wooden spoon, or blend in a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment until evenly combined. Add melted butter, sugar, egg, salt and flour. If mixing by hand, turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes, or if in a mixer, knead for about 3-5 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving room on the sides. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll into a 18 X 10 inch rectangle. I used a ruler for accuracy. Make sure the dough is smooth and evenly thick, even at the corners.
For the filling: As the dough is rising, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Add the thinly sliced apples and cook down for about 20 minutes until the apples are very soft. Drain the apples from the butter and juices and place into a small bowl. Cool the apples in the refrigerator.
Spread the dough rectangle with 2 Tablespoons of softened butter and sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon/brown sugar. Line the apples on top of the cinnamon/brown sugar then sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon/brown sugar. Tightly roll up the dough and cut into 15 even rolls (1 inch in width each) with a very sharp knife. Arrange them in the prepared baking pan, cut sides up. Cover the rolls and let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes – 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until they are lightly golden in color. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
Make the caramel sauce: melt the butter in a small saucepan. Once melted, add brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Allow to bubble for 3-4 full minutes, no more. Remove from heat pour over cinnamon rolls before serving. Caramel sauce will thicken up at room temperature or if cold. You'll have to warm it back up to pour over rolls.
To Make Ahead: The recipe can be prepared through Step 4. Cover the rolls and let sit at room temperature overnight before beginning step 5.

Link to Recipe:Apple Caramel Cinnamon Buns

Combine milk and yeast

Melt 1/4 cup butter

Add to yeast mixture

Add sugar

Add egg

Add flour

Using dough hook attachment knead dough for 3-5 minutes

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap

Peel and chop two apples ( I used Gala)

In a saucepan combine butter and the thinly sliced apples and cook down for about 20 minutes until the apples are very soft.

Cool the apples in the refrigerator.

Line the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper

Melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved
add cream and stir constantly

Remove from heat and let cool.Caramel sauce will thicken up at room temperature or if cold. You'll have to warm it back up to pour over rolls.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix until well combined

Dough should have doubled in size

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll into a 18 X 10 inch rectangle.

  

You may have to warm it back up to pour over rolls

Arrange them in the prepared baking pan, cut sides up. Cover the rolls and let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes – 1 hour. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until they are lightly golden in color.

Drizzle caramel sauce over the warm rolls.