Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

I don't think I need to say anything else. 

But of course, I'm going to. 

I wasn't crazy about the dough recipe. Is wasn't very fluffy (yes, that is a very technical baking term). On top of that, it just didn't make that many (as you can see). I looked up some other recipes and played around with it a little, and this recipe makes about 12 dang good rolls:

For the dough:

* 3 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast (about 1 1/2 packages)

* 1/4 cup warm water

* 1/2 cup butter or shortening (I used Smart Balance light spread)

* 1/3 cup white sugar

* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

* 1 cup of milk (I used Silk Vanilla Soy Milk)

* 1 egg ( I used Ener G Brand egg replacer. It works great.)

* 4 cups flour, plus extra for kneading

For the filling:

* 2 medium sized apples peeled, cored, and diced. 

* melted butter, shortening, or Smart Balance 

* about 1/2 cup of milk

(follow your heart on this. I usually melt about 1/4 cup)

* brown sugar (this is for filling AND the apples, so again, follow your heart, but I'd say you will need no less than 2 cups)

* cinnamon (for filling)

* Vanilla powder (if you can find this stuff, it is delicious. I got mine from the Home Show. If you can't find it, it's no big deal).

Directions for Dough:

Add the warm water to the yeast and soak 10 minutes.

Scald milk; pour over the shortening. I think this works better if you microwave the shortening for about 10 seconds first. Add sugar and salt and cool to tepid. Add the dissolved yeast and beaten egg (if you are using egg replacer, don't worry about beating it). Add 4 cups flour adding one at a time mixing after each addition.

Dough should be soft but firm enough to handle. Knead on floured board until elastic and smooth (5-10 minutes). Avoid too much flour. Turn dough into well oiled bowl. Let rise for 1-1/2 hours.

Making the Apple Filling:

Essentially, you are making apple pie filling here, but with only 2 apples. If you are familiar with making pie filling, feel free to use your own recipe. I make mine pretty much to taste. In a pot, combine diced apples, brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to taste. You will only need to cook this down for about 10 minutes. Let cool.

Assembling your Rolls:

Press dough down and roll into a rectangle. Cover with melted butter. Layer with brown sugar. Sprinkle on cinnamon. Be aware that this is all to taste! On top of this, add that apple pie filling. DO NOT add all of the filling. It will leak out when you roll it out. Use about 1/2 to 3/4 (use your judgement).  Roll up like jellyroll.

Using a scissors or a piece of string (confession: I use dental floss), cut off slices about 2 inches thick. Place slices in any pan you want, but remember they are best if they touch each other when they bake.   Let rise until rolls fill the pan. The original recipe said 1 hour, but I could only wait 25 minutes and it was perfect.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 20 minutes.

Pour the leftover apple filling on top of rolls and enjoy!

I know this is a time consuming recipe, but come on...don't these just look so good?

[side note for all of you who are as impatient as I am: I made similar rolls in a hurry the other day, which means I let them rise about 45 minutes the first time and 23 minutes the second time. They were still delicious and surprisingly full. I find that letting the dough rise on top of a preheating oven, especially with the oven door cracked, helps them rise better].