This is an easy, small batch recipe for homemade Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls! It starts with a classic cinnamon roll recipe for 4 rolls. Then you add sweet, crunchy apples and maple syrup caramel sauce to upgrade the perfect breakfast treat!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Proofing Time1 hourhr30 minutesmins
Total Time2 hourshrs5 minutesmins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple, Caramel Sauce, Cinnamon Rolls, Small Batch, Sweet Roll
1fresh apple, cut into full slices at the 'belly' and remove seeds once slicedRed Delicious was used in this recipe
Instructions
In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, add the milk and sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until the yeast 'proofs' and gets foamy.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, beaten egg yolk, and melted butter and stir with a wooden spoon. Stir the dough until all ingredients are combined and the dough starts to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be sticky, but if it is too sticky, you can sprinkle in more flour, a teaspoon at a time.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Sprinkle the top of the dough and your hands with flour. The dough will be sticky and we want to knead it past the sticky stage until it becomes smooth and elastic - about 5 minutes. You will know the dough has been kneaded enough when you poke it with you finger and it bounces back. Shape into a ball and place in a bowl that has been lightly greased with cooking spray. I use a large Tupperware bowl so I can see the dough through the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place for the dough to rise for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
While the dough is proofing, make the filling (and Maple Syrup Caramel Sauce, if you do not have any on hand).
In a small bowl, combine the coconut sugar and cinnamon and stir until incorporated. The melted butter will be used to brush on to the dough.
Once the dough has doubled in size, transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough into a 5-inch x 8-inch rectangle - with the long side facing you. Brush the melted butter on the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mix on top - leaving a small border on the top of the dough. Arrange the chopped apples evenly on top of the cinnamon-sugar.
With the long side of the dough closest to you, roll the dough as tightly as possible without stretching the dough, and gently press the seam end closed. Using a serrated knife, cut the dough into 4 equal rolls.
Spray the ramekins with cooking spray. Evenly pour the Maple Syrup Caramel Sauce into the bottom of the ramekins (you will have a little more than a 1/4 cup of caramel). Then place an apple slice on top of the caramel.
Place the cut sweet rolls in each of the ramekins. Cover with a dry kitchen towel and let rise again in a warm place, for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400F degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake the sweet rolls for 15 - 17 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the center of the rolls no longer look doughy. Let the sweet rolls cool slightly before serving.
To serve, invert the sweet rolls onto a serving plate. Or to serve in the ramekins, you will need an extra ramekin to invert the first sweet roll. Then invert the remaining sweet rolls into the 'baked' ramekins.