Delicious Apple Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes (Print version)
Soft cinnamon roll cupcakes baked in a muffin pan with tart apples, warm cinnamon, pecans, and apple cider glaze.
# Ingredients:
For the dough
01 -
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warmed to 105-110°F
02 -
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 -
1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar, divided
04 -
1 large egg, room temperature
05 -
4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
06 -
1 teaspoon fine salt
07 -
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups (390-420 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For the apple cinnamon filling
08 -
3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, softened
09 -
2 medium tart apples, peeled and finely diced
10 -
1/2 cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
11 -
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 -
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
13 -
1/2 cup (55 g) chopped pecans, optional
For the apple cider glaze
14 -
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
15 -
2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider
16 -
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 -
Pinch of fine salt
# Instructions:
01 -
Stir the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, until foamy.
02 -
Add the remaining sugar, egg, melted butter, salt, and 3 1/4 cups flour. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead for 6-8 minutes, adding only enough extra flour to keep it lightly tacky and smooth.
03 -
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 60-75 minutes, until doubled.
04 -
In a bowl, toss the finely diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and pecans. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease it well.
05 -
Roll the dough on a floured surface into a 14x10-inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter, scatter the apple filling evenly over the top, and roll up from the long side. Slice into 12 rolls.
06 -
Place one roll in each muffin cup. Cover and let rise for 25-35 minutes, until puffy. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
07 -
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Whisk powdered sugar, apple cider, vanilla, and salt until smooth, then drizzle over the warm cupcakes.
# Good to know:
01 -
Best served warm, about 10 minutes after glazing.
02 -
Dice apples very small so the centers bake through evenly.
03 -
The shaped cupcakes can be refrigerated overnight before the second rise.