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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 3/4 cup milk - 1 cup apple butter (store-bought or homemade) - 1 tablespoon cinnamon - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) - 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing) - 2 tablespoons milk (for icing) - Flour: Use a dry measuring cup. Spoon flour into the cup and level it off. - Sugar: Granulated and brown sugar should be packed in the measuring cup. - Butter: Melt in a small bowl. Measure after melting. - Milk: Use a liquid measuring cup for accuracy. - Cinnamon: Use a teaspoon to measure out the cinnamon precisely. - Chopped Walnuts: Add for a nice crunch. They give a great texture. - Extra Apple Butter: Spread more on top for added flavor. It makes the rolls even better! Start by gathering your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Next, add 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Whisk these dry ingredients together until mixed well. Now, it’s time for the wet ingredients. Melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and pour it into the bowl. Add 3/4 cup of milk. Stir gently until the dough forms. Be careful not to overmix it. This dough will be soft and slightly sticky. Next, sprinkle some flour on a clean surface. Place the dough on this floured area. With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle. Aim for about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Once you have the right shape, spread 1 cup of apple butter evenly over the dough. Make sure to cover every corner for a rich flavor. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 1/4 cup of brown sugar. If you like, add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Sprinkle this mixture over the apple butter. Now, let’s roll it up! Start at one long edge and carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal it. After rolling, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 8 equal pieces. Place these rolls in a greased baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes. Watch for them to turn golden brown on top. While they bake, prepare the icing. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Once the rolls cool for a few minutes, drizzle the icing over them. Enjoy these warm treats fresh from the oven! They make a perfect breakfast or dessert. To make the best dough, use fresh flour. Fresh flour gives the rolls a light texture. Measure your ingredients carefully. Too much flour can make your dough dry. When mixing, stop as soon as it comes together. Overmixing can make it tough. Keep your workspace floured to avoid sticking. This will help when rolling out the dough. The icing is easy to change. For a rich flavor, add vanilla extract. A pinch of cinnamon can give it a nice twist. Want a cream cheese icing? Mix 4 oz of cream cheese with the powdered sugar and milk. This adds a tangy taste that pairs well with apple butter. For a chocolate lover's delight, try cocoa powder in the icing. One common mistake is not letting the rolls cool before icing. If you ice them too hot, the icing will melt away. Another mistake is cutting the dough unevenly. Make sure to slice the rolls into equal pieces. This helps them bake evenly. Lastly, don’t skip preheating the oven. Baking in a cold oven can lead to doughy centers. {{image_2}} You can change the filling to suit your taste. Try using pumpkin puree for a fall twist. Or add a layer of cream cheese for a rich flavor. For a berry version, use raspberry or blueberry jam. Each option adds a unique taste to your rolls. Just spread the filling evenly before you roll the dough. If you want a gluten-free roll, use a gluten-free flour blend. Most blends work well in this recipe. Make sure to check the flour package for proper measurements. You may need to add extra milk to keep the dough moist. Once baked, enjoy your soft and fluffy gluten-free cinnamon rolls. To make these rolls vegan, swap out the butter and milk. Use coconut oil or vegan butter instead. Almond milk or oat milk can replace regular milk. You can also choose a vegan icing made from powdered sugar and plant-based milk. These small changes keep the flavor rich and delicious. To store leftover rolls, let them cool completely. Then, place them in an airtight container. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, the fridge is fine. Just know that they may dry out a bit. To reheat your rolls, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls on a baking sheet. Cover them with foil to avoid drying out. Heat for about 10 minutes. If you prefer the microwave, warm them for about 20 seconds. Keep an eye on them to prevent overheating, as this can make them tough. You can freeze the rolls if you have extras. After they cool, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Try to remove as much air as possible. They can stay in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat them in the oven for the best taste. Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. You can prepare the dough and filling the day before. After rolling and slicing the dough, place the rolls in the fridge. When you are ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This way, they will rise a bit before baking. You can tell the rolls are done when they turn golden brown. They should feel firm to the touch. If you insert a toothpick, it should come out clean. The smell of cinnamon and apples will fill your kitchen, which is another good sign! If you don't have apple butter, you can use other spreads. Try using homemade applesauce or even pumpkin puree. You can also make a quick apple spread by cooking down peeled apples with sugar and spices. Just make sure it’s thick enough to spread on the dough. This blog post covered the main steps to make great cinnamon rolls. We discussed the key ingredients, measurements, and optional add-ins. I shared step-by-step guides for making the dough, rolling it out, and baking. You learned tips for perfect dough, icing options, and common mistakes. We explored variations for different diets and how to store and reheat leftovers. Enjoy your baking journey and savor each delicious bite!

Easy Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls

Indulge in the sweetness of Easy Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls with our simple recipe! Perfect for breakfast or a delightful dessert, these rolls are packed with flavor from apple butter, cinnamon, and walnuts. You don’t need to be a baking pro to create this delicious treat. Ready in just 45 minutes, they make a warm, comforting addition to any meal. Click through to explore this mouthwatering recipe and start baking today!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup milk

1 cup apple butter (store-bought or homemade)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)

2 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar.

    Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted butter and milk, and stir until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

      Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12x8 inches in size.

        Spread Apple Butter: Evenly spread the apple butter over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough.

          Add Cinnamon Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts. Sprinkle this mixture over the apple butter layer.

            Roll It Up: Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.

              Slice Rolls: Cut the log into 8 equal slices and place the rolls into a greased baking dish.

                Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

                  Make Icing: While the rolls are baking, prepare the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth.

                    Drizzle Icing: Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, allow them to cool for a few minutes before drizzling the icing over the top.

                      Serve: Enjoy the warm cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven for a delightful breakfast or dessert!

                        Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 8 rolls