Soft Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

This is a pretty good semi-sweet dough recipe that can be used for cinnamon rolls or even just rolls. Its hard to get a good recipe that is sweet enough for something like cinnamon rolls, but still somewhat healthy so hopefully you like this one. 
The cinnamon rolls shown in my photo were apple cinnamon rolls, but they weren't my favorite. I would just recommend making regular ones! But if you love apple give it a try :)

Soft Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls


Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/4 tsp yeast
1 1/3 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar divided
1/4 cup applesauce 


For Cinnamon Rolls:
butter or applesauce
cinnamon 
sugar
1 small graded apple (optional)


Frosting:
1-2 Tbsp milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla 


Directions:
1. Add the yeast and part of the sugar to the warm water. Let sit about 10 minutes until the yeast is proofed. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the 2 21/2 cups of the whole wheat flour, remaining sugar, and applesauce. When the yeast is ready add it and mix all the ingredients together.
3. Continue adding flour until dough is smooth, elastic, and not too sticky. Kneed for about 5 minutes. 
4. Set aside to rise until double in size, about one hour. 
5. Roll out onto table and spread with softened butter and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the butter.  (If doing apple sprinkle the grated apple over it last.) Roll up and pinch the seam to seal.  
6. Slice the roll into 16 rolls, place uncut side up in a greased 9x13 pan and let rise a second time.  
7. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and done in the center.  
8. For the icing, mix powdered sugar and vanilla, adding milk until thin, drizzle over the hot rolls.  


Adapted from yummly.