Apple Cider Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Soft cinnamon rolls enriched with warm apple cider and spiced brown sugar filling, finished with a shiny cider glaze.

# Ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 180 ml apple cider, warm (just above lukewarm)
02 - 7 g active dry yeast
03 - 50 g granulated sugar
04 - 56 g unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1 large egg, room temperature
06 - 280 g all-purpose unbleached flour, sifted
07 - 3 g salt

→ Filling

08 - 60 g unsalted butter, softened
09 - 110 g light brown sugar, packed
10 - 10 g ground cinnamon
11 - 5 g apple pie spice
12 - 30 ml reduced apple cider syrup

→ Glaze

13 - 60 ml reduced apple cider syrup
14 - 25 g granulated sugar
15 - 15 g unsalted butter

# Steps:

01 - Pour the required apple cider for filling and glaze into a heavy saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens to about 120 ml (half cup plus two tablespoons) of syrup. Remove from heat and cool completely.
02 - Warm 180 ml of apple cider to just above lukewarm. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy.
03 - Add remaining sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in sifted flour until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes or 5 minutes in a mixer until soft and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, approximately 60-90 minutes.
04 - Combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and 30 ml reduced cider syrup in a bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - Turn risen dough onto a floured surface and gently press to release air. Roll into a 30x45 cm rectangle. Spread filling evenly to edges. Roll tightly from the long side, slice into 12 even rolls, and place in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
06 - Preheat oven to 175°C. Bake rolls on the middle rack for 23-28 minutes until deep golden brown, covering loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
07 - While rolls bake, combine remaining reduced cider syrup, granulated sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Heat until bubbling and thickened to a glossy consistency. Remove from heat and allow to thicken slightly.
08 - Let rolls cool briefly in the pan. Drizzle generously with warm glaze, allowing it to soak in. Serve warm for optimal texture and flavor.

# Notes:

01 - Reducing apple cider concentrates natural sugars, resulting in a rich, flavorful filling and glaze. Knead dough until elastic for soft rolls and always glaze while rolls are warm to maximize moisture and shine.