Bakery-Style Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

$- 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast - ½ cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ cup milk (warmed to about 110°F/43°C) - ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled) - 2 large eggs (at room temperature) - ½ cup brown sugar (tightly packed) - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon - ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature) - 1 cup pecans (finely chopped) - ½ cup brown sugar (tightly packed) - ¼ cup unsalted butter - ¼ cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract The joy of making bakery-style caramel pecan cinnamon rolls lies in the ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating a soft, sweet roll. Dough Ingredients: To start, you will need all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and sugar. These form the base. Salt and cinnamon add flavor. The warmed milk activates the yeast, while melted butter gives richness. The eggs add structure and moisture. Filling Ingredients: For the filling, brown sugar and cinnamon create that sweet, warm taste. Softened butter helps spread the filling easily. The pecans add crunch and a nutty flavor. Caramel Sauce Ingredients: The caramel sauce is key. Brown sugar brings sweetness. Butter adds creaminess, and heavy cream makes it rich. Vanilla extract pulls it all together with a lovely aroma. These ingredients work in harmony to create a treat that feels like a hug in every bite. - In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast, ½ cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix well. - In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup of warmed milk, ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter, and 2 large eggs. Blend until smooth. - Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. - Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour in a warm spot. The dough should double in size. - While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup of packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup of softened butter. Mix until you get a smooth paste. - After the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16x12 inches. - Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle 1 cup of finely chopped pecans on top of the filling. - Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal pieces. - For the caramel sauce, combine ½ cup of packed brown sugar, ¼ cup of unsalted butter, and ¼ cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and bubbling. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. - Pour the caramel sauce into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the sliced rolls on top, cut sides facing up. - Cover the dish with a towel and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes. They should look puffy. - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until they turn golden brown on top. Kneading is key to great dough. It helps develop gluten. Gluten gives the dough its structure and chew. You want to knead for about 5-7 minutes. The dough should feel smooth and elastic when done. To check if your dough has risen enough, look for size. It should double in volume. You can also do the "poke test." Poke the dough gently; if it springs back slowly, it’s ready. For smooth caramel, control the heat. Use medium heat to avoid burning the sugar. Stir the mixture continuously as it cooks. This helps prevent lumps and ensures a nice texture. If the caramel is too thick, add a bit more cream. If it’s too thin, cook it a little longer. This balancing makes the flavor rich and deep. Make your rolls shine with simple presentation tricks. Drizzle more caramel on top. Add a sprinkle of whole pecans for a pop of color. Pair these rolls with coffee or tea. The warm spices blend well with both drinks. You can also serve them as a brunch treat, perfect for sharing! {{image_4}} You can switch up the nuts in your cinnamon rolls. If you don't have pecans, try walnuts or almonds. Both add a nice crunch and flavor. Walnuts bring a rich, earthy taste. Almonds offer a sweet, delicate crunch. Chop them finely, just like you would with pecans. Want to jazz up your rolls? Add chocolate chips or mix in different spices. Chocolate chips give a sweet surprise in every bite. You can use dark, milk, or even white chocolate. For spices, try adding nutmeg or ginger. These spices can really change the flavor profile and make your rolls unique. Need a dairy-free or gluten-free version? You can easily adjust the recipe! For a dairy-free roll, use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk. You can also swap the butter for coconut oil or a dairy-free spread. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. Just check that your yeast is gluten-free as well. These options let everyone enjoy these delicious rolls! To keep your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container. Let them cool completely before sealing. If you have leftover rolls, place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. This way, you can enjoy them later without losing their delightful texture and flavor. To freeze your rolls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. You can place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for extra protection. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw the rolls in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This method ensures the rolls stay soft and warm, just like fresh out of the oven. These delicious rolls can last for about 2-3 days at room temperature. If stored properly in the fridge, they can last up to a week. However, freezing them is the best option for longer storage. When frozen, they can maintain their quality for up to 3 months. Enjoying them fresh is always best, but knowing how to store them makes it easy to savor every bite! Your dough is ready when it has doubled in size. You can test it by gently pressing your finger into the dough. If the indentation remains, it is ready. The surface should look smooth and puffy. The warm environment helps the dough rise well. You want it to feel light and airy. Yes, you can prepare these rolls ahead of time. After shaping the rolls, place them in the baking dish with caramel. Cover them and store in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let them rise for about 30 minutes before baking. This saves time and gives you fresh rolls in the morning. Leftover caramel sauce is a sweet treat! You can drizzle it over ice cream or pancakes. It also makes a great dip for apples or pretzels. If you want something special, stir it into coffee or hot chocolate. You can even use it in desserts like cheesecakes or brownies. This post covered how to make delicious cinnamon rolls from scratch. You learned about the key ingredients, the step-by-step process, and helpful tips for perfect results. Remember, kneading is key to good dough, and caramel adds richness. You can change up the nuts or go dairy-free if needed. With proper storage, your leftovers can last longer, and they taste great even after freezing. Enjoy your baking and share your tasty rolls with others!$

Bakery-Style Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Indulge in the ultimate treat with these Bakery-Style Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls! This easy recipe guides you through making a soft dough, a rich cinnamon filling, and a luscious caramel sauce that'll leave everyone craving more. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these rolls are a crowd-pleaser. Click through to dive into the full recipe and discover how to create this deliciousness at home! #CinnamonRolls #BakingLove #DessertRecipes #SweetTreats

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

For the Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast

½ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

2 large eggs, at room temperature

For the Filling:

½ cup brown sugar, tightly packed

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup pecans, finely chopped

For the Caramel Sauce:

½ cup brown sugar, tightly packed

¼ cup unsalted butter

¼ cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir together until well mixed.

In a separate bowl, whisk the warmed milk, melted butter, and eggs until blended. Gradually pour this mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or spatula until a cohesive dough begins to form.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer the kneaded dough to a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free environment for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Make the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter. Mix until you achieve a spreadable paste and set aside.

Roll Out the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release excess air. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle, approximately 16x12 inches in size.

Assemble the Rolls: Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the rolled-out dough, leaving about a ½-inch border along the edges. Evenly scatter the chopped pecans across the filling.

Shape the Rolls: Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log. Once rolled, use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to slice the log into 12 equal pieces.

Prepare the Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the packed brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Cook while stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Once heated through, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Arrange in Baking Dish: Pour the prepared caramel sauce evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the sliced rolls on top of the caramel, making sure the cut sides face upwards.

Second Rise: Cover the baking dish with a towel and allow the rolls to rise for an additional 30 minutes until they appear puffy.

Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.

Cooling and Serving: Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool in the baking pan for about 5 minutes. Carefully invert the rolls onto a serving platter, allowing the caramel to drip over them.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 12

- Presentation Tips: For an extravagant touch, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top of the warm rolls and garnish with a handful of whole pecans. Serve immediately for a delightful treat that everyone will love!