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Caramel rolls with apples and walnuts showing a soft spiral roll with apple filling and caramel sauce

Caramel Rolls with Apples and Walnuts for Breakfast

Caramel rolls with apples and walnuts are soft, tender yeast rolls filled with warm apple flavor, cinnamon sweetness, and an optional nutty texture. They are a comforting choice for breakfast gatherings or a special homemade treat.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 15 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 262
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (more or less depending on dough consistency)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk, lukewarm
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
Apple Filling
  • 3 apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add lukewarm milk, egg, and butter, then mix with a bread mixing attachment until the wet ingredients are incorporated and the mixture begins to come together.
  2. Scrape the bowl sides and add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until the dough holds together. Knead by hand until the dough is workable and elastic.
  3. Transfer the dough to a large buttered or greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm place for one hour until it has risen to about double its original size.
  4. Press down the risen dough and fold the corners into the center to form a compact ball. Cover again with the corner side down and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Filling
  1. While the dough rises, cook the apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened slightly.
  2. Stir in the chopped walnuts and set the apple mixture aside.
Assembly
  1. Roll the dough into a 9×15 rectangle. Spread 1/3 of the apple mixture evenly over the dough.
  2. Starting from the wide end, roll the dough around the filling. Cut the rolled dough into 12-15 spiral rolls and arrange them in a large buttered ovenproof skillet with space between each roll for rising.
Baking
  1. Cover the rolls and let them rise for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  3. Spread 1/3 of the remaining apple mixture over the risen rolls. Bake for 15-25 minutes, until lightly browned and baked through.
  4. Pour the remaining 1/3 of the apple sauce over the hot rolls before serving.

Notes

To prepare these ahead, complete the recipe through cutting the rolls and placing them in the pan, then cover and refrigerate them. Allow extra time for the rolls to return to room temperature and rise again before baking; this may take at least 2 hours after refrigeration. Adjust dough consistency as needed with a tablespoon of flour to thicken or a tablespoon of milk to soften. A 9×13 baking dish can also be used.