Cinnamon Apple Rolls

A while back I decided to join the Willow Bird Baking challenge. One of the first challenges was making a sweet roll using Julie's roll recipe. I split the recipe in half and made raspberry lemon curd rolls and these cinnamon apple rolls. I love the idea of adding apple to an otherwise traditional recipe! The little bits get tender and sweet as they bake and taste amazing with all of that cinnamon in there! I topped these with a brown sugar frosting for a more "caramel " flavor. These will definitely become a staple in our house, I say that because I may or may not have eaten three in one day :) I hope you'll give this recipe a try and that you'll enjoy them as much as we did! P.S. what kind of "sweet rolls" do you love? I'm thinking about making orange rolls or maybe even these not-so-sweet rolls- they look rather delicious!

Cinnamon Apple Rolls with Brown Sugar Frosting
Ingredients:
(Click here for complete recipe for Willow Bird Baking's rolls)
5 c. all-purpose flour
1 package (2¼ tsp.) active dry yeast
3 tbsp. sugar
⅔ c. butter flavored shortening
2 c. milk minus 2 tbsp.
¼ c. warm water
2 tbsp. apple cider or white vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

For the filling:
2 c. brown sugar
8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, room temperature
4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 tbsp. corn starch
2 tbsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vanilla

For the brown sugar frosting:
2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. brown sugar
8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, room temperature
½ c. whole milk (+ extra if you want it to be more of a glaze)
¼ tsp. salt
1¼ tsp. vanilla

Garnish (optional): 1 c. toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Whisk to combine and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
2. Meanwhile, combine vinegar and milk in a 2 c. measuring cup. Allow to sit while preparing the remaining ingredients.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in yeast and milk mixture, using the pastry hook mix (knead) until a ball begins to form. Place ball of dough in a large lightly greased bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.
4. In the morning, prepare filling by combining all ingredients in a medium size bow. Mix to combine.
5. Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into two equal balls. Roll out one ball on a lightly floured surface. Spread half of the filling over the rectangular slab of dough. Roll up and cut into 12 rolls. Place in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Repeat with the second ball of dough. Cover pans with a dish cloth and set in a draft-free area for 1½ hours or until rolls have doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place rolls into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown in color. Remove rolls and place pan on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, to prepare the frosting, in a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Heat until the sugars begin to dissolve and bubbles form around the edges (be careful not to burn the sugar). Remove from heat and add in whole milk, salt and vanilla, then the powdered sugar. Spread over warm rolls. Garnish with toasted nuts, serve immediately.
Sweet Roll Dough recipe from Willow Bird Baking | Makes 24 standard size rolls