Apple Harvest Cinnamon Rolls

I found this recipe in a Better Homes and Gardens "Make-Ahead Cooking" cookbook that I got a few years ago. I have wanted to make this recipe since I read it the first time, but apple butter is a little too pricey for me. And then I learned how to make my own apple butter!!!! I knew I had to make this recipe right away, and I did. I loved these rolls!

I halved the recipe to give it a try. The dough was a little difficult to make. Next time I'll try to do it in my Kitchen Aid. It was really dense. I used 3 cups of flour and it seemed like it was too much. But they rose okay and tasted fantastic!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 6 -6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Two packets active dry yeast
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 cup apple butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• apple juice

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine 3 cups of flour and all yeast; set aside.
2. In a saucepan, heat and stir milk, 1/4 cup butter, the granulated sugar and 1 1/2 tsp salt until warm. Add to flour mixture, then add egg.
3. Beat with a mixer, scraping sides of bowl. Beat on high 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, add as much of remaining flour as you can.
4. Turn dough out onto floured surface, kneading until smooth and elastic. Shape dough into bowl and place in greased bowl, then cover and let rise until double in size (45-60 min).
5. For filling, melt remaining butter, stir in brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. Stir in chopped apple and apple butter. Set aside.
6. Punch down dough and turn onto floured surface. Divide dough in half and left rest 10 minutes. Roll each half into a rectangle, spread half the filling onto each.
7. Starting from short side, roll into a log and pinch seams. Cut into six 2-inch pieces.
8. Place all pieces in a greased 9x13 pan, cover and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees 35 to 40 minutes.
9. Combine powdered sugar and enough apple juice to be able to drizzle over slightly cooled rolls.

So, I did half of the recipe and made 9 smaller rolls. They were awesome!!