Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Directions

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, heat apples and 1/4 cup sugar together until apples are tender and sugar is caramel brown.
2. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a microwave safe bowl or mug, melt milk and 1/4 cup butter together. Set aside.
4. In a standing mixer fitted with the hook, on low, mix sugar, 3 1/4 cups flour, yeast, and salt together. 
5. Add egg, and butter/milk mixture.
6. Scrap the sides and add remaining 1/4 cup flour little by little. 
7. Mix until incorporated, scraping the sides along the way. When the dough pulls away from the sides by itself, beat another 3-4 minutes.
8. Remove dough from hook, cover bowl and dough with a damp towel. Set in a warm area for 12 minutes allowing the dough to rise.
9. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees F. rearrange rack to the middle of your oven. Place a baking sheet on the rack. Grease a pie pan or cake pan.
10. Flour surface area and rolling pin.
11. Remove dough from bowl place on floured surface, starting in the center roll dough into a rectangle about 13 inches long and 10 inches wide.
12. Spread softened butter leaving a 1/4 inch around the edges.
13. Spread sugar mixture over the butter. Then the apples, and the drizzle the caramel last.
14. On the 13 inch side, tightly roll dough and give the edges a gently press, sealing the roll. 
15. Using floss (this really is the best way), shimmy a 12-inch piece under the roll at the edges to trim this part off. Bring the floss together at the top and gently tug to “cut” the dough. This is your trial so you get a feel for how to cut the rest of your dough.
16. You want about 1-1/2-inch to 2-inch thick pieces so that all of your apple filling doesn’t fall out.
17. After each cut, place cinnamon roll up in prepared pan so the inside is showing. See picture for reference.
18. Cover again with damp cloth, place on the baking sheet in the oven with the door cracked for another 25-minutes for the dough to rise again.
19. Remove rolls from cracked oven, heat oven to 350 degrees F leaving the baking sheet in the oven 
20. Remove cloth. Place rolls on top of baking sheet again, bake 10 minutes. Lightly place a piece of foil over the top of your roll, half turn is necessary so one side doesn’t brown more than the other. Bake another 15-18 minutes.
21. Rest for 5 minutes.
22. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk together. For thinner glaze add milk, for thicker add more sugar. Move slow with the liquid mixing after each tablespoon.
23. Glaze over caramel sauce and enjoy!