Apple Honey Buns Recipes

APPLE BUTTER ROLLS WITH HONEY MARZIPAN FROSTING

Steps:

• For the rolls: Combine the milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl and swirl together. Let sit until foamy on top, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the cinnamon, salt, cardamom and 3 1/2 cups flour in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Whisk together the eggs, oil, honey and vanilla in a medium bowl. Stir the yeast mixture and oil mixture into the dry mixture and then knead, either on a work surface or with the dough hook, adding up to 1 cup more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky, 15 minutes by hand and 7 to 10 minutes by mixer. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• For the filling: Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and roll it out, dusting with flour as needed to prevent sticking, into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread it with the apple butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon and almond paste. Roll up tightly starting from a long end (so that it results in an 18-inch-long roll), and pinch the edges to seal. Cut into 12 rolls and place in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (Or cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour, then go right to preheating the oven.)
• When ready to bake, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and loosen the plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature until puffy, 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat the egg with a splash of water in a cup. Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and brush the rolls with the egg wash. Bake until the rolls are lightly browned and have an internal temperature of 190 degrees F, 35 to 40 minutes.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, blend the blanched almonds in a food processor, scraping the sides occasionally, until creamy and spreadable, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the honey, almond extract, salt and lemon zest and continue to blend (it may clump together at this point, and that's okay) as you drizzle in the milk. Blend until creamy. (This can be made the day before and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.)
• When the rolls come out of the oven, spread them with the frosting, sprinkle with the sliced almonds and serve.

CINNAMON APPLE BUNS

Steps:

• in a small bowl combine yeast, warm water, and sugar. set aside until foamy.
• In a large bowl: make pudding according to package directions. add butter, eggs and salt. mix well.
• add yeast mixture, blend.
• gradually add flour and knead until smooth. adding sprinkles of flour to control stickiness.
• once the dough is no longer sticky and soft and silky feeling (like a baby "bottom") the dough is ready.
• place in a very large greased bowl.
• cover and let rise until double in bulk (about 1 hr).
• punch down and on a lightly floured surface role out dough to a 34 inch x 21 inch rectangle.
• spread softened butter on the dough.
• combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced apples, spread over the dough leaving about an inch away from the ends.
• gently and tightly roll up the dough.
• with a knife, put a notch in the dough every 2 inches. then with string or thread place under roll at marking and make a criss-cross over to cut the roll.
• place on greased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
• lightly press down rolls with your hand.
• cover and let rise again (about 30 minutes).
• bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. take them out when the just begin to turn golden brown. DO NOT over bake!
• frost hot rolls with frosting. (see recipe below).
• frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup butter softened, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk.
• beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, add vanilla and milk then gradually add powdered sugar. beat until smooth.