Whenever I taste something really delicious, I will go to great lengths to hunt down the cook and get that recipe. I have spent way more time than I care to admit roaming the back hallways in hotels, conference centres and restaurants, trying to track down the maker of whatever deliciousness I was served.
But you'd be surprised at how many cooks won't share their recipe, special ingredient or cooking tip when I do finally track them down. Obviously I think that's ridiculous because sharing recipes is what I do. But that's because it's born out of a personal philosophy that good food is meant to be shared. And I created this forum to do just that!
Fortunately, the special ingredient in this recipe was graciously shared by a cook that subscribes to the same philosophy as I do. So I have incorporated it, along with the glorious medley of apple pie and creamy gruyère cheese into these award-winning easy Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls (Winner of Safeway's Destination Cheese Champions 2012).
📖 Variations
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These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate breakfast or brunch potluck idea because these scrumptious rolls can be made ahead and frozen until you need them. *There is a no bread maker/bread machine option as well (see recipe notes)
Recipe Sharing
But sometimes it's not about whether the cook wants to share the recipe or not. About 5 years ago, I was eating a brunch at Fort Steele, near Kimberley, British Columbia (it's one of those heritage towns, where you can go look around at how things supposedly were in the olden days and eat old-fashioned baked goods in their bakery etc..; similar to Heritage Park in Calgary) and I tried a dessert that was one of the most scrumptious chocolate cakes I've ever had in my life! I just had to have the recipe...
Imaging that this cake took hours to cook in their old-timey wood-fired brick oven, I dragged my reluctant family from building to building to hunt down the source of that dreamy dessert, only to discover in the end that it was one of the items the fort ordered from Sysco. Talk about disappointing. Now there was no hope that I'd ever be able to replicate it. Now I'm all about cooking from scratch, but I was willing to make an exception in this case. But then I found out that I couldn't even buy it because Sysco doesn't sell to the public! Sadly, even when I find the source, not all my food expeditions end in success.
💭 Top tip
However, I was lucky enough to be able to replicate the deliciousness in the cinnamon buns that I discovered when I worked out of Spruce Lodge, because the cook was kind enough to share this tip with me - add lemon zest to the cinnamon roll dough. Wow-what a difference that little addition makes! Then I throw it all in the bread maker and the result is a delicious and easy homemade bread machine cinnamon buns. I am all for skipping the hard labor when it comes to making any kind of dough. *But if you don't have a bread machine, don't fret. When Safeway published my recipe, they used a refrigerated French bread dough to make the recipe quicker (** see recipe notes)
If you are looking for unique ideas for a breakfast potluck, then this is your bread machine cinnamon bun recipe! It's a little more sophisticated than your typical cinnamon roll and well, cheese, apple pie and cinnamon rolls were just meant to be together.
In my food travels I have acquired a lot of great recipes and cooking tips by simply asking. Luckily, the cooks that are willing to share far outnumber the ones that won't. So, I will continue to pay it forward by sharing my recipes, because good tasting food is meant to be shared, even if is it ugly!
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📋 Bread Machine Gruyère Apple Pie Cinnamon Bun Recipe
Ingredients
Breadmaker Dough (1 lb):
- 6 oz Half and half
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 egg large
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 ¼ cups white flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Swiss Gruyere cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons bread maker yeast
Filling:
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 cup green apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 apples)
- ¼ cup water
Glaze:
- 1¼ cup sifted powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons whipping cream liquid
- 4 tablespoons brewed French vanilla flavoured coffee * can substitute regular coffee and ¼ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Dough (for 1 lb. bread machine):
- Mix all ingredients in bread maker in order given. Ensure to add salt along one side of the bread pan and sugar along the opposite side. Dig a little well in the centre and add yeast last (don’t let it touch anything). Select dough cycle. When dough is complete(about 1 hr and 20 mins), remove to a lightly floured surface. Knead enough to make it easy to handle (if necessary). If too elastic, let rest for 10 more minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Filling:
- Meanwhile, mix filling: Thinly slices apples and pour ¼ cup water over them. Cook apples in microwave for approximately 3 minutes until soft. Drain water. Toss with brown sugar, almonds and cinnamon.
- Roll dough into a 12X18 rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough. Top with apple mixture and spread evenly across butter. Spread whipped cream evenly on top of apple mixture. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut into 8 equal slices. Pace cut side up in a greased 9X13 inch baking pan.
- Cover dough with clean tea towel and let rise in a warm draft-free place until almost doubled in size (30 minutes) Bake rolls at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until done.
Glaze:
- Mix whipping cream and strong coffee together. Add vanilla and whipping cream mixture to sifted powdered sugar. When buns are done, drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm or cold.Sprinkle with a little powdered/icing sugar, if desired.
Notes
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Kay
I was nervous at the start because my dough was so wet in the bread maker process. I kneaded it on a fully floured surface and it ended up being perfect. I did not use whipped cream in the filling (didn't have it and noticed the original did not use it) and sprinkled a little more cheese in the filling instead. Also I just mixed the butter into the warm apple/cinnamon/brown sugar mixture instead of spreading it on the dough separately (I'm lazy). It was delicious and I will definitely make these again for company! They reheat excellently as well! The dough is soft and fluffy, even after reheating. Thanks for this unique recipe!!
Terri Gilson
I'm happy to hear that, Kay! So glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Terri
martha mathews
Hi. I have a brand new bread machine and I want to try this recipe. Two questions: 1) Should I follow your instructions as to salt and sugar? My machine's booklet says to put both on the bottom before flour. 2) What other types of cheese would work? I live in rural Alaska and Guyere is not an option. Mozzerella, perhaps? Thanks.
Terri Gilson
Hi Martha,
I would follow the directions of YOUR bread maker in terms of order of ingredients, as mine is very old and a different brand. You could try emmental, jalsberg. beaufort, comte or raclette cheeses for substitutes, as the mozzarella is too soft and mild to even register taste-wise and I worry it would mess with the texture. If you cannot find any of those cheeses, just make it without - it's still delicious! Enjoy..
Terri
Carolyn Hetke
I cannot wait to try these! Perfect for a weekend crowd!
Terri Gilson
Hi Carolyn: Thank you - I hope you enjoy them!
Kimberley Copithorne
I have never thought to put cheese in a sweet roll like this, I love the combination! Apples and cheese always go so well together, my family growing up always had a slice of old cheddar cheese with their apple pie.
Terri Gilson
Thanks Kimberley - Yes, cheese and apple pie were always meant to meet in a cinnamon bun!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I love the idea of lemon zest in the cinnamon roll dough. These rolls look amazing!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Dawn! Yes, the lemon zest really works!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
This look so good!! Love the combination of cheese and apple and I bet these would be so lovely with my cup of coffee right now 🙂 Can't wait to try these! Pinned! Have an awesome weekend!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Dawn! I hope you enjoy them! Are you thinking quick version or bread maker? If you make the quick version, I'd love to know if you can find the refrigerated french loaf dough. I can't find it here!
Marie-Pierre Breton
Love this pairing, I've never tried it, but it sounds like a match made in heaven. I'm so doing this recipe soon! Delicious!
Terri Gilson
Hi Marie-Pierre- thanks. Yes, the flavours go really well together - I hope you enjoy it!