Sticky and sweet, these Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are healthier ways to enjoy apple pie without all that fat and added sugars. Bread flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and unsweetened applesauce are the basic ingredients, but the secret to the rich, pastry-like dough in this recipe is the addition of almond flour! It adds a nutty, buttery flavor and slightly flaky texture that will make each bite taste like your favorite slice of apple pie.
Here’s why I love this recipe
- vegan friendly – no eggs, milk or butter required. The caramel topping is made from coconut milk.
- healthy AND delicious
- easy to prepare if you have a stand mixer or bread machine
- high in nutrients and fiber, thanks to the applesauce and added almond flour
Ingredients Used to Make Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
**I’ve linked some of these ingredients to amazon.com to give you an idea of what they are, but you should also be able to find them in your local grocery store (usually, the baking aisle, or the natural & organic food section). They are also affiliate links, which means that I earn a commission as an Amazon Associate if you decide to purchase the items. The price will be the same for you, link or no link 🙂
- Bread Flour – Bread flour is highly recommended for this recipe for the best texture and structure. I used King Arthur Bread Flour. Please read the note in the substitution section below if using other flours.
- Almond Flour (optional)- In this recipe, almond flour was added to add more nutrition and is optional. I used blanched almond flour, but if you want, you can replace the almond flour with half the amount of whole wheat flour, or bread flour (more details on the recipe card).
- Instant Yeast – you can find instant yeast in the baking section near the flours. My favorite is SAF Instant Premium Yeast, which works quickly and consistently produces great results. I recommend using instant yeast over active yeast for this recipe since active yeast (unlike instant yeast) needs to be activated in water, which we don’t add until the very end.
- Sugar – I used raw cane sugar, but you can use regular granulated white sugar, or healthier alternatives like coconut, date, or maple sugars. Sugar-free substitutes such as monk fruit sweetener or stevia powder can be used in the frosting recipe, but for what goes inside the bread, I would NOT RECOMMEND using sugar-free substitutes since they can cause the bread to not rise properly.
- Salt – Pink Himalayan salt is what I have at home, so it’s what I use, but you can use any kind for this recipe.
- Applesauce – you can use any kind or any flavored applesauce. I used unsweetened for this recipe. If using regular sweetened, reduce the sugar by half, for example, from 3 Tbsp to 1.5 Tbsp
- Caramel Sauce – You can use storebought or homemade. We’ll drizzle the caramel on top of the rolls after they’re baked. You can use any caramel sauce you have, but to keep these vegan, I recommend this coconut caramel sauce!
Equipment
- I used a KitchenAid Stand Mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough. You’re also welcome to use a bread machine, or knead the dough by hand.
More Apple Recipes (HERE)
Step by Step Guide
How to Make Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
STEP 1
Mix all the dry ingredients (bread flour, almond flour, instant yeast, salt) in the bowl of the stand mixer. Add the applesauce.
STEP 2
Start to knead the dough at a low setting (speed 2) for about a minute.
Note: More water or flour may be needed depending on the protein content of the flour, and the water content in the applesauce. If adding additional water or flour, be sure to add one tablespoon at a time, just until the dry ingredients are no longer visible.
STEP 3
Continue to knead for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough will appear sticky, but will be less so when the flours have a chance to absorb the liquid from the applesauce.
STEP 4
Remove the finished dough from the mixer bowl and place in a lightly greased bowl.
STEP 5
Let rise until doubled, about 60-90 minutes.
**It’s best if the bowl is put in a warm place, for example, inside a microwave oven with a hot bowl of water next to it.
STEP 6
While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing the almond flour, sugar, cinnamon and chopped apples. Set aside.
STEP 7
When the dough is ready, punch down the dough then remove from bowl. Place on a generously floured surface and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a rectangle, about 18 x 10 inches in size.
STEP 8
Brush melted butter-flavored coconut oil (like this Nutiva brand) onto the surface of the dough. For a low-fat option, you can also brush almond milk onto the surface of the dough.
Note: the surface just needs to be wet enough for the sugar mixture to stick.
Spread the prepared filling mixture over the dough
STEP 9
Starting from the end, roll the rectangular dough into a roll. Pinch the seams to seal.
STEP 10
Use a string or dental floss to cut the rolled-up dough into individual rolls.
STEP 11
Place the individual rolls on a parchment-lined baking pan, swirl side up.
STEP 12
Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
STEP 13
Once cooled enough to handle, drizzle or pipe thin ribbons of the caramel sauce (like this vegan kind) on the rolls.
STEP 14
You can also pipe frosting on top, for presentation. I used my almond yogurt frosting mixed with some of the caramel.
Recipe Variations and Optional Add Ins:
I made this cinnamon roll recipe as basic as possible so that people can customize it to fit their own tastes. Here are some awesome ways you can make this bread your own 🙂
- Add more flavor! Instead of cinnamon powder, use apple pie spice to bring out the fall flavors of this recipe. Also, you can add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the applesauce before adding to the dry ingredients to enhance the sweet flavor.
- Add more texture! Adding chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruits or oats is a fantastic way to increase the nutrition and flavor in breads. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can also add chocolate chips.
Different Icing and Frosting Options for Cinnamon Rolls
If you want to enjoy cinnamon rolls with a variety of glazes, icings and frostings, there are many fun and delicious options to choose from. For starters, try drizzling cinnamon rolls with chocolate, topping them with whipped cream, or adding some coffee to the glaze. For more ideas, check out this post for 10+ Easy Homemade Cinnamon Roll Icing & Frosting Recipes
How to Make Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Healthier
- Make these Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls even healthier by adding a handful of nuts, seeds and old-fashioned oats to add texture and nutrition. Here are some ideas
- Nuts – chopped walnuts, pecans, cashews
- Seeds – poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds or chiaseeds
- Dried Fruit – chopped apricot, raisins, cranberries, dried cherries, candied ginger, citrus zests, etc.
- Want to add more fiber? Substitute white whole wheat flour for up to half of the bread flour called for in this recipe. You’ll need to add a few more tablespoons of water to adjust the hydration since whole wheat flour absorbs more water than white flour.
Note on Substitutions
- Unfortunately, gluten-free flours cannot be substituted for bread flour in this recipe.
- For softer rolls with less bite, you can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour.
- The almond flour can be subbed with other nut flour like pecan, cashew and walnut flour.
Different Icing and Frosting Options for Cinnamon Rolls
If you want to enjoy cinnamon rolls with a variety of glazes, icings and frostings, there are many fun and delicious options to choose from. For starters, try drizzling cinnamon rolls with chocolate, topping them with whipped cream, or adding some coffee to the glaze. For more ideas, check out this post for 10+ Easy Homemade Cinnamon Roll Icing & Frosting Recipes
How to Store
- You can store these Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can place them in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 7 days, or freeze up to 3 months. To reheat, cover with foil and warm them up in the oven or air fryer
Final Tips for Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
- Weigh your flour for the best results. 1 cup of bread flour = 120 grams / 4.23 oz. This is recommended since scooping the flour directly from the bag can can pack the flour into the measuring cup, and this means you’ll end up with more flour than what’s called for in the recipe. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can measure the flour by spooning pre-sifted flour into the measuring cup, then using the straight end of the spoon to level the flour across the top to sweep off the excess.
- Baking time (as well as serving size) will vary based on the size of your baking pan, the material (silicone vs metal) of the pan. If you’re not sure whether the bread is ready, you can insert a quick read thermometer into the bread – a finished bread will register 190 F (or 88 C).
- To make this recipe in the bread machine: add all the dry ingredients into the machine, stir briefly before adding the wet ingredients. The machine can be set for basic. Check the dough for consistency and adjust by adding additional water (or flour) before the end of the first kneading cycle. If you want to add additional nuts or dried fruits, leave them aside, and only them 3 minutes before the end of the second kneading cycle.
Sweet & Sticky Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls (Vegan Friendly Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour (420 g), sifted and leveled*
- 1 cup almond flour , can also use 1/2 cup bread flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/3 cups unsweetened applesauce (330g)**
Filling
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp bread flour , all purpose flour works as well
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1 medium granny smith apple , peeled and chopped
Glaze
- 1 recipe vegan almond yogurt frosting , click link to go to recipe
- 1/3 cup storebought vegan caramel sauce , can also use the dairy kind, or this keto caramel sauce recipe
Instructions
- Mix all the dry ingredients (bread flour, almond flour, instant yeast, salt) in the bowl of the stand mixer.
- Add the applesauce
- Start to knead the dough at a low setting (speed 2) for about a minute. Note: More water or flour may be needed depending on the protein content of the flour, the water content in the applesauce. If adding additional water or flour, be sure to add one tablespoon at a time, just until the dry ingredients are no longer visible.
- Continue to knead for about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough will appear sticky, but will be less so when the flours have a chance to absorb the liquid from the applesauce.
- After kneading, let the dough rest in the bowl for 10 minutes to give time for the flour to fully hydrate.
- Remove the finished dough from the mixer bowl and place in a lightly greased bowl.
- Let rise until doubled, about 60-90 minutes***
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing the almond flour, sugar , cinnamon and chopped apples. Set aside.
- If the dough is ready, punch down the dough then remove from bowl. Place on a generously floured surface and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a rectangle, about 18 x 10 inches in size.
- Brush melted butter-flavored coconut oil onto the surface of the dough. For a low fat option, you can also brush almond milk onto the surface of the dough. Note: the surface just needs to be wet enough for the sugar mixture to stick.
- Spread the sugar-apple mixture over the dough
- Starting from the end, roll the rectangular dough into a roll. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Use a string or dental floss to cut the rolled up dough into individual rolls. For wider, dome-shaped rolls like the ones in the photos, cut into 16 rolls and arrange them 1 inch apart, on a half-sized (8"x13") sheet pan. For regular tall cinnamon rolls with straight sides, cut into 12 rolls and use a 9" x 12" rectangular pan, or a quarter sheet pan, half an inch apart.
- Line a baking pan of choice with parchment paper.
- Place the individual rolls on a parchment-lined baking pan, swirl side up.
- Let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy. Toward the end of the rise time, preheat the oven to 350F / 180C
- Bake the rolls for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
- Once cool, glaze or drizzle the rolls with caramel sauce.
- Enjoy!
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