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To make these delightful rolls, you'll need the following ingredients: - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 cup milk, warmed - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large eggs - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for filling) - 1/2 cup chopped pecans - 1/2 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought) - 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing) - 2 tablespoons milk (for icing) You can adjust the recipe to meet dietary needs: - Gluten-free flour: Use a gluten-free blend for the all-purpose flour. - Dairy-free options: Swap milk for almond or oat milk. Use coconut oil instead of butter. - Sweetener alternatives: Replace sugar with coconut sugar or a sugar substitute. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference. Fresh flour and spices enhance flavor. Fresh yeast ensures your rolls rise well. If you use old or expired ingredients, your rolls might not turn out fluffy. For the best taste, always check the dates on your ingredients. Fresh ingredients lead to great results and a delightful treat! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix these dry ingredients well. In another bowl, whisk together warmed milk, melted butter, and eggs. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Keep mixing until you form a soft dough. Next, turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. After kneading, place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm spot. Wait for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size. While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix packed brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Set it aside. Once the dough has risen, punch it down. Roll it out into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush the dough with melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Then, top it with chopped pecans. Now, start rolling the dough from the longer side. Roll it tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it well. Cut the log into 12 equal slices. Next, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce in the bottom. Place the cinnamon roll slices in the dish, cut side facing up. Cover the dish with a cloth and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes. While they rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Now, bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes. Look for a golden-brown color. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes. While the rolls cool, prepare the icing. Mix powdered sugar with milk until you achieve a smooth consistency. Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls. If you like, top them with more pecans and caramel sauce. Enjoy your tasty treat! Making caramel pecan cinnamon rolls can be a joy, but some mistakes can spoil the fun. Here are common pitfalls: - Using cold ingredients: Always warm your milk and use room temperature eggs. This helps the dough rise well. - Not measuring flour properly: Too much flour makes tough rolls. Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy. - Skipping the first rise: Letting the dough rise is key. Don’t rush this step; it makes the rolls fluffy. - Overbaking: Keep an eye on your rolls. They should be golden brown, not dark brown or burnt. To get perfect rolls, follow these tips closely: - Knead the dough: Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. This builds gluten for a soft texture. - Roll evenly: When rolling out the dough, aim for a uniform thickness. This ensures even baking. - Seal the edge: Pinch the seam tight after rolling. This keeps the filling from spilling out. - Use a sharp knife: For slicing, a sharp knife cuts cleanly without squishing the rolls. Having the right tools makes your baking easier. Here are essentials for making cinnamon rolls: - Mixing bowls: Use large bowls for mixing dry and wet ingredients. - Rolling pin: A good rolling pin helps you flatten the dough evenly. - Sharp knife or dough cutter: This tool is great for cutting the rolled dough into slices. - 9x13-inch baking dish: This is perfect for baking your rolls and catching the caramel sauce. - Kitchen thermometer: Check dough temperature for perfect rising. Ideal is around 80°F (27°C). By avoiding mistakes, ensuring proper technique, and using the right tools, you can create delicious caramel pecan cinnamon rolls every time. Pro Tips Perfect Dough Consistency: Ensure that your dough is soft but not sticky. If it sticks to your fingers, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. Warm Rising Environment: For the best rise, place your dough in a warm, draft-free area. You can turn on your oven for a few minutes, then turn it off and place the dough inside to rise. Cutting the Rolls: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the rolls evenly. This prevents squishing and keeps the layers intact for fluffy rolls. Caramel Sauce Tip: To enhance the flavor, warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling it over the rolls. This will make it easier to drizzle and help it soak into the rolls. {{image_2}} To make these rolls vegan, swap the butter and milk for plant-based options. Use almond or oat milk and vegan butter. Replace eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. This will act as your egg substitute. Follow the same steps as the original recipe, and you’ll have tasty vegan rolls. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure it has xanthan gum to help with texture. Follow the same instructions, but keep an eye on the baking time. Gluten-free dough can be a bit different, so check for a golden color. Enjoy your delicious gluten-free caramel pecan cinnamon rolls! You can easily change these rolls for the season. In the fall, add pumpkin puree to the dough for a warm flavor. For a fruity twist, mix in diced apples or apple pie spice. This adds a fresh taste that brightens up the rolls. Feel free to be creative and switch it up! To keep your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep the container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need more time, move them to the fridge. They will last about a week in the fridge. When you're ready to enjoy the rolls again, reheating is easy. You can use the microwave or oven. For the microwave, heat one roll for about 15-20 seconds. This warms it up without drying it out. If you prefer the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes until warm. Freezing your cinnamon rolls is a great option for long-term storage. First, let the rolls cool completely. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. This keeps out air and moisture. Place the wrapped rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. To enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above. To make homemade caramel sauce, you need just a few simple ingredients. Here’s how: - Ingredients: - 1 cup granulated sugar - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - 1/2 cup heavy cream - Steps: 1. Heat the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 2. Stir slowly until it melts and turns golden brown. 3. Add the butter and mix until melted. 4. Gradually whisk in the cream until smooth. 5. Let it cool before using. This sauce is rich and perfect for drizzling on your cinnamon rolls! Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance! Simply follow these steps: 1. After mixing the dough, let it rise as directed. 2. Once it has doubled in size, punch it down. 3. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap. 4. Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. 5. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature before rolling it out. This makes it easier to enjoy fresh cinnamon rolls at any time! Instant yeast and active dry yeast are both used for baking, but they have key differences: - Instant yeast: - It can be mixed directly into dry ingredients. - It works faster and rises quicker. - Active dry yeast: - It must be dissolved in warm water before use. - It takes longer to rise. Both types can work in this recipe, but I prefer instant yeast for its quick results! In this post, we explored how to make delicious Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls. We covered ingredients, including substitutions for different diets. I shared techniques for dough and filling preparation, baking, and icing. You learned tips to avoid common mistakes and ensure great results every time. We also discussed fun variations and how to store leftovers. Making these rolls can be simple and rewarding. Enjoy crafting this treat with fresh ingredients and your favorite twists. Happy baking!

Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Delicious cinnamon rolls filled with caramel, pecans, and a hint of cinnamon, topped with a sweet icing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup milk, warmed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the warmed milk, melted butter, and eggs.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. Set aside.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a 16x12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture evenly over it. Top with chopped pecans.
  • Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
  • Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and drizzle half of the caramel sauce in the bottom. Place the cinnamon roll slices in the dish, cut side up.
  • Cover the dish with a cloth and allow the rolls to rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
  • While the rolls are cooling, prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar with milk until a smooth consistency is achieved.
  • Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls and top with additional pecans and caramel sauce if desired.

Notes

For best results, let the dough rise in a warm place.
Keyword caramel, cinnamon rolls, dessert, pecans