Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Syrup & Cinnamon Tea

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rising Time: 1.5 hours
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: Approx. 2.5 hours

    1 cup warm water
    1 tbsp active dry yeast
    ¼ cup granulated sugar
    ½ cup vegetable oil
    1 egg
    3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    ½ tsp salt

    6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
    1 cup brown sugar
    3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tbsp ground cinnamon)
    1 10oz jar of Fuji Apple Slices, drained and diced
    1 cup pecans, diced

    Maple Syrup

    2 cinnamon sticks
    2 cups water
    Honey (optional)
    Lemon juice (optional)

1. To activate the dry yeast, mix dry yeast and granulated sugar into warm water. Stir and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The yeast should start to foam when it is activated.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the remaining dough ingredients along with the activated yeast mixture. Mix until the dough becomes clean from the side of the bowl. You can mix with a machine or by hand. If the dough remains sticky, add one tablespoon of flour at a time until it is ready; if it is too dry, add one tablespoon of water until it is ready.
3. In a clean bowl, spray some cooking spray, then place the dough in the bowl. Cover bowl with a clean damp kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm, clean environment for 1 hour, or until dough doubles in size.
4. In a small mixing bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon together. If you like to make fresh cinnamon powder, grind 3 cinnamon sticks in a spice blender.
5. Drain apple from jar and slightly dice them up into bite-size pieces. Slightly dice up pecan and leave aside for later.
6. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
7. When the dough has risen, lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough into approx. 16 inches long and 12 inches wide. Make sure to dough is about ¼ inch in thickness for some texture.
8. Spread 6 tablespoon of softened butter evenly over the rolled dough, then evenly sprinkle on cinnamon brown sugar mixture. Evenly sprinkle diced apple and pecan.
9. From the long edge, carefully roll down to the bottom edge.
10. Cut the rolled dough into 1 ½ inch slices. Place roll onto greased baking pan, leaving 1 inch space in between each other. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise for another 30 minutes or until rolls double in size.
11. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
12. Remove plastic wrap and place the rolls in the oven, bake them for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
13. To serve, drizzle some maple syrup on top while it’s warm.

1. In sauce pan, add cinnamon sticks and water. Bring to boil then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. To serve, strain tea over a strainer to catch any flaked cinnamon pieces.
3. Add honey or lemon juice if desired. To balance the sweet apple pecan cinnamon bun, only add a bit of honey and lemon juice for flavor.