Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

$To make these tasty rolls, you need simple, fresh ingredients. Here’s what you will need: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon instant yeast - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed (110°F/43°C) - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup chopped pecans - 1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 1/2 cup powdered sugar - 1 tablespoon milk (for glaze) These ingredients come together to create soft, gooey rolls with a sweet caramel flavor. Accurate measuring is key to great cinnamon rolls. Here are some tips: - Use dry measuring cups for flour and sugar. Fill them and level off with a knife. - For sticky ingredients like brown sugar, pack it firmly into the cup. - Use a liquid measuring cup for milk. Check at eye level for the right amount. - Weigh your flour for the best results if you have a kitchen scale. Measuring correctly helps the rolls rise well and taste great. You can adjust the recipe for different diets. Here are some options: - Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. - Dairy-Free: Substitute almond milk or coconut milk for whole milk. Use dairy-free butter. - Nut-Free: Omit the pecans or replace them with sunflower seeds. These swaps allow everyone to enjoy these delicious rolls! {{ingredient_image_2}} To make the dough, start with a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix these dry ingredients well. Next, warm 3/4 cup of milk to about 110°F (43°C). Pour the warm milk and 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the bowl. Stir until a soft dough forms. Now, transfer the dough to a floured countertop. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes. You want it to feel smooth and elastic. Once done, shape the dough into a ball. Place it in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. It should double in size. After the dough has risen, it’s time to roll it out. Lightly flour your surface again. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Evenly sprinkle this mix over the dough. Next, spread 1/2 cup of chopped pecans on top of the cinnamon-sugar layer. Start rolling the dough from the long side, forming a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal it. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 8 equal slices. Now, let’s prepare for baking. Pour caramel sauce evenly across the bottom of a greased baking dish. Place the cinnamon roll slices on top, leaving some space between them. Cover the dish with plastic wrap. Let the rolls rise in a warm area for another 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). After the rolls have risen, bake them for 25-30 minutes. You want them to be golden brown and puffed up. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the dish for a few minutes. Enjoy the warm, gooey goodness! To make great cinnamon rolls, the dough must be soft but not sticky. When mixing, add the warm milk slowly. This helps you see the dough's texture. If it feels too dry, add a little more milk. If it’s too wet, sprinkle in some flour. Knead the dough for about five minutes. It should feel smooth and elastic when done. This is key for fluffy rolls. To stop your rolls from sticking, use a greased baking dish. Pour the caramel sauce in first, then place the rolls on top. Make sure to space them out a bit. This allows heat to flow and helps them rise. If you use parchment paper, it can help with easy removal later. You can change up the flavors in these rolls. Try adding chocolate chips for a sweet surprise. For a fall twist, mix in pumpkin spice with the cinnamon. You can also swap pecans for walnuts or almonds. Each option gives a new taste to enjoy. Get creative and see what you like best! Pro Tips Proof Your Yeast: Ensure your yeast is active by mixing it with warm milk and sugar before adding it to the flour. If it bubbles, you're good to go! Roll Evenly: When rolling out the dough, aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform baking and gooeyness in every roll. Caramel Layer: For an extra indulgent treat, add a layer of chopped pecans and a bit more caramel sauce between the dough layers before rolling it up. Glaze Variation: Experiment with flavored extracts like vanilla or maple in your glaze for a unique twist on the classic flavor. {{image_4}} You can add chocolate to your caramel pecan rolls for a sweet twist. Use 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. After you roll out the dough, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the brown sugar and cinnamon layer. Roll the dough tightly, just like before. Bake as usual for rich and gooey chocolate rolls. Fall is perfect for pumpkin spice! Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree to the dough. Replace the ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. This gives you a warm, cozy flavor. Bake the rolls as directed, and enjoy the taste of autumn in every bite. To make vegan caramel pecan rolls, swap the milk with almond or oat milk. Use coconut oil instead of butter. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with plant-based milk. These small changes make the rolls just as tasty while being plant-friendly. You won’t miss the dairy at all! After baking, let your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls cool. Once cool, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and moist. If you store them correctly, they last about 2 days at room temperature. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate them. Just remember to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. To enjoy your rolls warm again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls in a baking dish. Cover them with foil to prevent drying out. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes. If you like, you can add a drizzle of caramel sauce before reheating. This adds extra flavor and moisture. Freezing is a great option for long-term storage. First, let your rolls cool completely. Then, wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped rolls in a freezer-safe bag. They can stay fresh for up to 3 months. To eat, just thaw them overnight in the fridge. Reheat them as described above for a warm treat. To make caramel sauce, you need just sugar and water. Start with 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a pan. Heat it over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring and let it cook until it turns a light amber color. Remove it from heat and add 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Stir until smooth. Be careful; it can be hot! Yes, you can use other nuts! Walnuts or almonds work well too. If you want a different flavor, try hazelnuts. Just chop them up like you do with pecans. This gives your rolls a unique twist. Feel free to mix and match nuts based on your taste! If your dough doesn’t rise, check if your yeast is fresh. Old yeast won't work. Make sure your milk is warm, not hot. Too hot can kill the yeast. Place the dough in a warm spot to rise. You can also cover it with a damp cloth. If it still doesn’t rise, let it sit longer. Sometimes, dough just needs more time! Caramel pecan cinnamon rolls are a delightful treat you can make at home. This guide covered key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and handy tips. I shared variations to suit your mood and dietary needs. Always remember to store extras properly for later enjoyment. With the right techniques, you'll bake perfect rolls every time. Now it's time for you to try these recipes and enjoy the sweet rewards!$

Delicious cinnamon rolls topped with caramel and pecans, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 2

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
3.4 cup whole milk, warmed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
0.25 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 cup chopped pecans
0.25 cup caramel sauce
0.5 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk (for glaze)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt, ensuring that all dry ingredients are well combined.
Gradually pour in the warm milk and melted butter into the dry mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough starts to come together.
Transfer the dough onto a floured countertop and knead for approximately 5 minutes, or until the surface is smooth and elastic.
Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth and set it in a warm location to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the rolled-out dough.
Evenly distribute the chopped pecans over the cinnamon-sugar layer, ensuring they are well spread out.
Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape, pinching the seam to secure it. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 8 equal slices.
In a greased baking dish, pour the caramel sauce evenly over the bottom. Arrange the cinnamon roll slices on top of the caramel, spacing them apart for even baking.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise again in a warm area for another 30 minutes.
Once they have risen, place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and puffed up.
Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool in the dish for a few minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth to create a glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the warm rolls just before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with additional caramel sauce and garnish with whole pecans.

Keyword caramel, cinnamon rolls, dessert, pecans