Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls

These rolls take a bit of time to make, but it is time well spent!  YUM !!  I tried these out because I wanted something similar to cinnamon rolls but without the big cinnamon taste (my oldest child is not a big fan of cinnamon).  These definitely hit the spot & my entire family loved them!

Ingredients:

1/2 Batch of this Basic Dough

FILLING:

4 Apples

1/2 Cup of Butter

1 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Cream

1 teaspoon cinnamon

CARAMEL ICING:

1/2 Cup of Butter

1 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Cream

2 Cups of sifted powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

First make the caramel apple filling.  Dice the apple finely.  Put it in a skillet and cook them over medium-high heat.  Stir them around as they cook.  After 3-4 minutes, when they are nice and golden brown, remove them and put them aside on a plate. 

Throw 1/2 Cup of butter and the brown sugar into the same skillet and stir it around until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.  Pour in the cream.  Then stir it around and let it bubble up and thicken for about a minute. 

Turn the heat down to low and then add the apples back to the skillet and sprinkle on the cinnamon.  Stir the mixture and let it thicken for another 1-2 minutes.  Then spoon it into a bowl to cool.  When you're ready to make the rolls, preheat the oven to 375 and roll out the basic dough (I use this recipe) in a rectangle about 10x30 inches.   

Spoon the caramel apples over the dough and use your fingers to spread them evenly over the surface.   Roll the dough toward you into a nice, tight roll.  Pinch the seam when you get to the end.  Turn the seam over so that it's face down against the counter top.  Slice the dough into rolls 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.

Grease 2 cake pans with butter or oil.  Place half of the rolls in one pan and the other half in the other pan.  Set them aside to rise in a warm place for 20-25 minutes.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until they are nice and golden brown.

 

While the rolls are baking, make the caramel icing:  Melt a stick of butter ina  suacepan over medium heat.  Add the brown sugar.  Let it melt, then whisk in the cream. Cook for 2 minutes whisking constantly, then remove from the heat.  Stir in the powdered sugar and salt and stir until you have a smooth icing.

 Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately spoon a good amount of icing over the top.  Use a knife to spread it evenly over the top of the rolls.

Recipe Credit:  The Pioneer Woman Cooks:  A Year of Holiday's