Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls

My house has been bustling with contractors, installers, designers, project managers, and electricians for two solid weeks and by Friday, I had had all I could take.  #remodelingakitchenishard  Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful - and thankful - for all of the work that they're doing to create my new dream kitchen but it's definitely been an adjustment to share my normally quiet house.  

A day trip to the North Georgia mountains was exactly what this girl needed to escape the construction chaos.  Luckily, Ben stepped in to run point and make all of the kitchen decisions that had to be made on Friday so my girl and I could get away for the day. 

Ok, so I didn't exactly escape completely.   There were still a couple dozen phone calls, pictures and text messages back and forth because let's face it - everyone knew that I wouldn't want to be left out of any cabinet hardware decisions.  🤷🏻‍♀️ #IthinkIhavecontrolissues 😂 

Despite all the of the phone calls, you'd be surprised at how quickly the stresses of remodeling fade away when you're feeding a zonkey or drinking wine at the Fainting Goat Vineyard. 🐐(By the way, In case you were wondering  - I'm pretty sure that the adorable goats at the Fainting Goat vineyard were just regular goats.  The wine was good though.) 🍷😂

Spending the day apple picking, lunching, wine drinking, animal feeding, sampling the homemade apple desserts and shopping was exactly what this stressed out girl needed.  I came home with a full belly, rested and rejuvenated - and carrying  2 bags of freshly picked apples.  🍎 
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Picking my own apples from the trees in the North Georgia orchards is one my favorite Fall traditions. #whenyouknowyouknow 🏞Last month I posted a recipe for slow cooker apple butter and now that I have some extra apples in the house, I'm feeling the urge to make another batch because we went through the first one really quickly. AND ... I'm all about using my slow cooker until my kitchen is back up and running.  

The first thing that I'm going to make with my second batch of apple butter are these apple butter cinnamon rolls.  They are divine.  These cinnamon rolls are super soft and fluffy and have just the enough sweetness and spice to make them breakfast worthy.  

Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. whole milk, divided
1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast 
⅔ cup plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar, divided
½ cup butter, cut into 4 pieces and softened
2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon plus ⅛ tsp. kosher salt, divided
4 ⅓ cups bread flour
1 cup Slow-Cooker Apple Butter
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine warm milk, yeast and 1 t. sugar in bowl of stand mixer. Let stand 5 minutes.

​Add butter, eggs, lemon juice, nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of the salt, and remaining ⅔ cup granulated sugar; beat on low.

Slowly add bread flour. 

Shape into a ball.  Transfer to a greased bowl.  

Cover and let rise 1-2 hours. 

Roll dough to a 14x18" rectangle on floured counter. 

Spread apple butter over dough.

Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and flour. 

Sprinkle over apple butter.  

Roll up, starting with a long side. 

​Cut into 1 1/2" slices. Place rolls in a buttered 9x13" pan and place in refrigerator overnight or let rise 30 minutes.  ​

Bake 25-30 minutes at 350.

Whisk together powdered sugar, apple cider, vanilla, 1 T. milk, and ⅛ t. salt.

Brush glaze over rolls. 

I love Fall baking and I feel like these apple butter cinnamon  rolls epitomize the essence of Fall baking.  The warm Fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg rolled into a delicate yeast dough and drizzled with a hint of apple cider icing -perfection.  Tell me there's a better way to kick off a beautiful Fall weekend.  🤣

Ciao!

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