Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls

It is physically impossible to frown while you’re eating a homemade cinnamon roll. I’ve tried! No matter how hard you attempt to mean-mug, the warm cinnamon and not-too-sweet icing accent the pillow-y dough perfectly to make even the grumpiest of folks break out into an ear-to-ear grin.

These apple cider cinnamon rolls are a great way to celebrate all of fall’s apple harvest bounty.

Since 1904, October has been known as Apple Month and for good reason – dozens of apple varietals are in season simultaneously. Whether you need a tart apple for baking, a sweet apple for savory dishes, or something in between, you can be sure to find it in October. It’s also when the weather is cool enough to don a cute sweater, some thick socks underneath your boots, and head to the orchards to pick you own.

Growing up in Connecticut, one of my favorite field trips was heading out to the apple orchards to pick our own fruit, learn about farming, visit the petting zoo, and eat a fried apple hand-pie. It was such a wonderful feeling to be outdoors, smelling the crisp air, and getting to snack on all of the pretty apples you chose from the waiting branches. It was on one of these trips that I saw my first fully functional apple presses. IT WAS AMAZING! Set behind glass, it was a long machine with lots of different processes that illustrated how apples went from being mere fruit to delicious, golden apple cider. I could have stood in front of that window all day watching the magic happen. Offering me a mug of hot cider was the only way they could eventually pry me off the glass. But I was hooked.

To this day, visiting the apple orchard and picking our own fruit is still one of our favorite traditions. There’s something special about putting away technology, escaping to the North Georgia mountains with our dog, and walking row after row of apple trees with children’s laughter floating on the breeze. After a lunch of apple cider donuts, fried apple hand pies, and rosemary apple cheddar bread, it’s time to head home with our purchases and take a well-deserved nap.

Special treasures call for special recipes, and my apple cider cinnamon rolls are a tasty breakfast treat that really do the fresh orchard fruit justice. They allow the apples to shine and don’t cover them up with unnecessary sugar or fillers. The apple cider reduction glaze provides a sweet balance to the cream cheese tang of the icing, pairing nicely with a hot cup of pumpkin coffee. A filling breakfast or midnight snack – this recipe will quickly become your newest tradition of the season.

Some important things to note: You will need to chop your apples VERY finely. They aren’t going to get super soft cooking this way as if you had cooked them on the stovetop. They provide some wonderful texture to the roll, but you want a small dice to make sure they are evenly distributed. Walnuts provide wonderful depth of flavor, but if you’re allergic to nuts by all means leave them out! The recipe is still just as tasty.

Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls

Serves 12|Hands-On: 45 minutes|Total Time: 2 Hours

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 4 cups AP Flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 package rapid rise yeast
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup apple cider
• ¼ cup (4 Tbs.) butter
• 1 Tbs. melted butter
• 1 egg
• 2 cups finely chopped peeled Granny Smith apples
• 1.25 cups packed light brown sugar
• ¾ cup finely chopped walnuts
• 3 tsp. ground cinnamon

• Frosting:
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 box (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
• ¼ cup (4 Tbs.) softened butter
• 1.25 cups powdered sugar

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups AP flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. In a small saucepan, heat milk, cider, and ¼ cup butter until it reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the egg and the remaining 2 cups of AP flour and mix. Dough will be sticky!
3. Turn out dough onto a floured work surface and knead until dough becomes smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes). Cover dough with a damp paper towel and let rest 10 minutes.
4. While dough is resting, in a medium bowl mix chopped apples, walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon together.
5. Roll rested dough into a large rectangle (about 10 x 15”). Spread melted butter all over the dough. Sprinkle apple mixture over the butter. Roll up jelly roll style beginning with one of the long sides of the rectangle. Pinch seam to close completely.
6. Cut into 12 slices. Place into a large cast iron skillet or greased 9×13” glass or metal pan cut side down. Cover with a damp paper towel and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
7. While resting, preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Prepare apple cider reduction for the frosting by adding the apple cider and cinnamon into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and allow to reduce for about 20 minutes. About 1/3 cup should remain. Remove from heat and cool.
9. Bake rolls for 30 – 35 minutes until dough becomes golden brown on top. 
10. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and cooled reduced apple cider and beat until smooth. Spread over warm rolls immediately.
11. Enjoy!