Created by Chocoholic on October 17, 2012
Step 1: Combine milk, apple cider, and 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan and set over low heat to warm up to the point where it begins to steam.
Step 2: Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk 2 1/4 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt together. When milk mixture reaches the steaming point, pour over the flour and stir gently to combine.
Step 3: Crack egg into the bowl and stir to incorporate. Then continue to add flour 1/4 cup at a time, stirring between each addition, until the dough forms a sticky, soft ball.
Step 4: Sprinkle a little flour onto a cutting board. Transfer dough to the floured surface and begin to fold it over onto itself. Continue for 7 to 8 minutes, until the dough becomes stretchier and smoother.
Step 5: Place a piece of plastic wrap or a clean cotton towel over the dough and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Butter a 13x9-inch baking dish. Toss apples, brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
Step 7: Use a rolling pin to stretch out the dough to a 15x10-inch rectangle. Brush with the remaining 1/2 cup of the butter, then sprinkle with the apple mixture. Roll the dough up into a long cylinder. Slice into 12 rounds and set, cut-side down, in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap again and let sit for 30 minutes to rise.
Step 8: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap. Bake rolls for about 30 minutes, until browned.
Step 9: While cinnamon rolls bake, make the frosting: Combine cider and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Let the mixture boil down to about 1/4 cup in volume, then take out the cinnamon stick and turn the heat off.
Step 10: Beat cream cheese and butter together in a bowl. Stir in powdered sugar. When cider has cooled to room temperature, beat into the frosting. Frost the cinnamon rolls and serve.