Ho-Ho Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• ½ cup milk
• 2 ¼ tsp yeast
• ½ cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 egg yolk
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup apples, shredded and squeezed (about 2 small apples)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 sachets Ho-Ho-Hoji-Chai
• 1/3 cup hot water for brewing
• 6 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Warm the milk to 100-110 degrees and add in the yeast with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
   
2. Set aside for 10 minutes to foam. In a standing mixer, mix the remaining sugar, melted butter, and egg yolk. Add in the yeast mixture and combine. Place in the flour, and salt and knead on medium speed until a ball forms. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside for an hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
4. Shred the apples and wrap in a paper towel. Squeeze out as much remaining water as
   possible.
5. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10×14 inch rectangle. Spread
   with butter and sprinkle with the sugar until the entire surface is covered. Add
   the apple shreds and the cinnamon. Roll the dough length-wise and pinch down
   the ends. Cut into 8 pieces and place onto an 8 inch skillet. Cover with a clean towel and set aside for 1 hour.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
7. Brew the Ho-Ho-Hoji-Chai in 1/3 cup of hot water. Pour about ¼ of the tea into the powdered sugar and mix until well combined. You want the consistency to be a thick drizzle. If you need, add more tea or more powdered sugar until desired texture.
8. Pour half of the icing onto the rolls as soon as they’re out of the oven and still hot. Once cooled slightly, drizzle the rest on top.
9.  Enjoy-joy-joy-joy.