Apple "Fritters"

Ingredients

• Filling:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups diced peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 pound)
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Dough:
• 2 packages dry yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1 cup warm 1% low-fat milk (100° to 110°)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray
• Glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon apple juice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. To prepare filling, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple; sauté 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup apple juice, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 3 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed. Remove from heat; cool.
2. To prepare dough, dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes or until foamy. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 3 1/2 cups flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons melted butter, salt, and eggs to yeast mixture, stirring until smooth. Add 1 cup flour; stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).
4. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)
5. Punch dough down. Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Divide dough into 24 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining dough to keep from drying), roll each portion into a 3-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spoon about 2 teaspoons filling into center of dough; gather dough over filling to form a ball, pinching seam to seal. Place, seam side down, in a muffin cup coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining dough portions and filling. Cover and let rise 40 minutes or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven to 400°.
7. Uncover dough; bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.
8. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar and remaining ingredients; drizzle over rolls.