Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls

$To make these apple cider cinnamon rolls, you need: - 2 cups apple cider - 1/2 cup warm milk - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 large egg - 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting) - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting) - 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional) You can swap out a few ingredients if needed: - Apple cider: Use unsweetened apple juice for a different flavor. - Milk: Almond or oat milk works well if you're dairy-free. - Butter: Coconut oil can replace butter for a vegan option. - Brown sugar: Use white sugar with a bit of molasses if you're out of brown sugar. I trust these brands for quality ingredients: - Apple Cider: Look for local, fresh apple cider for the best flavor. - Yeast: Red Star is a reliable brand for active dry yeast. - Flour: King Arthur Flour provides consistent results for any baking. - Butter: Kerrygold is a great choice for rich, creamy butter. For the full recipe and more details, check out the Full Recipe. Start by reducing the apple cider. Pour 2 cups of cider into a medium saucepan. Heat it on high until it boils. Then, lower the heat to a simmer. Let it reduce to 1 cup, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Once done, remove it from the heat and let it cool a bit. In a small bowl, mix warm milk and granulated sugar. Use about 1/2 cup of warm milk and 1/4 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Now, add the packet of active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes. You will see bubbles form. This shows that your yeast is alive and ready to go. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled apple cider, melted butter, and one large egg. Then, fold in the yeast mixture gently until it all blends well. Next, start adding 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix until the dough forms. If the dough feels too wet, sprinkle in more flour. Once you have your dough, move it to a floured surface. Knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. After it rises, punch it down to release air. Roll it into a 15x10 inch rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup of softened butter across the dough. Then, sprinkle 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon over the top. Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal rolls. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving space between them. Cover and let them rise for another 30 minutes. While they rise, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn golden brown. To make the frosting, whisk together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup with a splash of water. Adjust the thickness by adding more water or sugar. When the rolls come out of the oven, drizzle the frosting on top while still warm. Now, you can enjoy these delicious apple cider cinnamon rolls! For the full recipe, check above. To make the best apple cider cinnamon rolls, follow these key tips: - Use fresh apple cider for a rich flavor. - Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, when activating the yeast. - Knead the dough until smooth; this helps build good structure. - Roll the dough out evenly to ensure uniform baking. - Don’t skip the second rise; it makes the rolls fluffy. Avoid these common mistakes: - Using cold ingredients can slow yeast activation. - Overworking the dough can make it tough. - Not measuring flour correctly may lead to a dry dough. - Forgetting to space rolls when rising can cause them to stick together. - Baking them too long can dry them out. For the best dough rising, try these tips: - Place the dough in a warm, draft-free area. - Cover the bowl with a damp cloth to keep moisture in. - If your kitchen is cold, preheat the oven for a minute, then turn it off. - Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, which usually takes about an hour. - Always check the dough; it should feel soft and puffy before you roll it out. Following these tips will help you create the most delicious and fluffy apple cider cinnamon rolls. For detailed steps, refer to the Full Recipe. {{image_4}} You can enjoy these rolls without gluten! Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture. Follow the same steps in the recipe. The rolls may need a little more time to rise. Keep an eye on them to get a nice fluffy result. Feel free to get creative with the fillings! You can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunch. If you love chocolate, sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the brown sugar. This adds a sweet twist to the rolls. Mix and match fillings to find your favorite combination! While the maple icing is tasty, you can try different frostings. Cream cheese frosting adds a rich flavor that pairs well with the cinnamon rolls. Just mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk until smooth. You can also drizzle caramel sauce for a sweet touch. Choose the icing that makes your taste buds dance! For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above. To store leftover rolls, let them cool completely. Place them in an airtight container. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap. This keeps them fresh for up to three days at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing. To reheat the rolls, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in a baking dish. Cover them with foil to keep them moist. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Heat one roll at a time for about 20-30 seconds. To freeze the rolls, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as mentioned above. This method keeps the rolls soft and tasty. For the full recipe, refer to the main article. To make these rolls from scratch, start by reducing apple cider. Boil 2 cups until it shrinks to 1 cup. Let it cool. Next, mix warm milk and sugar in a bowl. Add yeast and wait for it to foam. In a large bowl, combine the cooled cider, melted butter, and egg. Add the yeast mix. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a sticky dough forms. Knead for about 7 minutes. Let it rise until it doubles in size. Roll it out, add filling, and cut into rolls. Let them rise again, then bake. For the full recipe, check the detailed steps above. Yes, you can use store-bought dough. It saves time and effort. Just roll it out, fill it, and shape it into rolls. Follow the same rising and baking steps. If your dough doesn’t rise, check the yeast. It should be fresh and active. Make sure your warm milk isn’t too hot, as it can kill the yeast. If the dough is too cold, place it in a warmer spot to help it rise. These rolls taste best fresh but can last for 2-3 days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain moisture. Absolutely! Adding nutmeg or ginger can give more depth to the flavor. You can also mix in some vanilla or even chopped nuts for extra texture. Experiment to find what you enjoy most! You learned how to make delicious apple cider cinnamon rolls. We covered the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and handy tips. You also found fun variations and smart storage tips to keep them fresh. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't worry if your first batch isn’t ideal. Enjoy making these treats with family and friends. The smell alone is worth it!$

Indulge in the ultimate fall treat with these delicious Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls! Fluffy, sweet, and infused with the rich flavors of apple cider and cinnamon, this recipe is perfect for cozy mornings or festive gatherings. Follow the step-by-step guide to create these mouthwatering rolls that will impress your family and friends. Click through to discover how to make your kitchen smell heavenly and enjoy every bite!

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Ingredients

2 cups apple cider

1/2 cup warm milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg

4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)

1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

Reduce the Apple Cider: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of apple cider to a rolling boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and allow it to simmer until it reduces to 1 cup, which should take about 15-20 minutes. After reducing, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and granulated sugar. Stir until dissolved, then add the yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled apple cider, melted butter, and the egg. Gently fold in the yeast mixture until fully incorporated.

Make the Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously. Form a sticky dough; if it seems too wet, sprinkle in more flour as necessary until it holds together.

Knead and Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, roughly 1 hour.

Prepare for Filling: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 15x10 inch rectangle.

Add the Filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon generously across the buttered surface.

Roll and Cut: Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 equal rolls.

Second Rise: Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish, leaving space between them. Cover and let them rise again for about 30 minutes until they puff up.

Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Prepare the Frosting: While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and maple syrup (if using) with a small amount of water until you achieve a smooth drizzleable consistency. Adjust thickness as preferred by adding more water or sugar.

Drizzle and Serve: Once the cinnamon rolls come out of the oven, drizzle them with the frosting while they are still warm. Enjoy delightful bites of these luscious rolls!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 30 mins | 2 hours | 12 servings

- Serving Suggestions: Serve the warm cinnamon rolls topped with a light dusting of cinnamon and an extra drizzle of maple syrup for a cozy touch. Pair with a steaming cup of warm apple cider for the ultimate autumn treat!