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- Dry ingredients - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast - ¼ cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon - Wet ingredients - ½ cup milk, warmed - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Filling ingredients - ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed - 1 cup pecans, chopped - ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing I love starting with fresh ingredients. They make a big difference in taste. Use high-quality flour and fresh yeast for the best rise. Warm milk helps activate the yeast. It’s key for fluffy rolls. For the filling, choose sweet, soft brown sugar and crunchy pecans. They add flavor and texture. Caramel sauce is the star. Drizzling it on top gives a sweet finish. Make sure to grease your baking dish well. This helps the rolls come out easily. Gather these items before you start. It makes the process smoother. Enjoy the joy of baking with these fantastic ingredients! {{ingredient_image_1}} To make great rolls, you need fresh yeast. Fresh yeast works better and helps dough rise. Start by warming up the milk. It should be warm, not hot. A good temperature is about 110°F (43°C). Mix the warm milk with granulated sugar and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let this sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You will see bubbles forming on the top. This means your yeast is ready. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir these together well. Now, slowly add the flour and salt. Mix until the dough starts to form. Next, move the dough to a floured surface. Knead it for 5 to 7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. This step is key for a nice texture. After kneading, place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a cloth and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. It should double in size. While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set this aside. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 16x12 inches. Make sure it is even. Spread the cinnamon-sugar mix evenly over the dough. Then, sprinkle the chopped pecans on top. Press them down slightly to stick. Before baking, grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce on the bottom of the dish. Place the cinnamon rolls in the dish. Cover them with a cloth and let them rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they are golden brown. While they bake, heat the rest of the caramel sauce for drizzling. Once out of the oven, let them cool slightly. Then, drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the top. Serve these rolls warm for the best taste. - Tips for a fluffier dough: Use warm milk to activate your yeast. Milk should feel like a warm bath, not hot. This helps yeast grow well. Knead the dough just until it feels smooth. Too much kneading can make rolls tough. Let the dough rise in a warm spot. A good rise leads to fluffy rolls. - Safer greasing techniques: When greasing your baking dish, use just a bit of butter. Grab a paper towel to spread it evenly. This way, no excess butter pools at the bottom. This keeps your rolls from getting soggy. - Over-kneading dough: Kneading too long makes dough too firm. Stop when it feels soft and elastic. This gives your rolls a light texture. - Insufficient rising time: Don’t rush the rising process. Give the dough time to double in size. If you skip this, your rolls will be dense. Letting them rise ensures they turn out light and fluffy. Pro Tips Check Yeast Freshness: Always ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise. If the yeast doesn’t foam after activation, it’s likely no longer active. Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother dough, ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before mixing. Knead Properly: Kneading develops gluten, which gives the rolls their structure. Be sure to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Caramel Drizzle Timing: Drizzle the warm caramel sauce just before serving to prevent it from hardening on the rolls. {{image_2}} You can make your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls even more fun! Here are two easy ways to add flavor. - Chocolate chips: Add half a cup of chocolate chips to your filling. Place them on top of the cinnamon-sugar mix before you roll up the dough. The chocolate melts and adds a sweet touch. - Dried fruits: Try adding chopped dried fruits like raisins or cranberries. Mix them with the pecans. This adds a chewy texture and a fruity taste. If you need to make some changes for dietary needs, I have you covered! - Gluten-free alternatives: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure the blend has xanthan gum. This will help your rolls rise and stay fluffy. - Vegan options: Replace the eggs with flax eggs. To make a flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes. Use almond milk instead of regular milk and coconut oil in place of butter. This keeps the rolls dairy-free and egg-free. These variations and substitutions keep your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls exciting and enjoyable for everyone! To store your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and moist. If you want to keep them warm, cover them with a clean kitchen towel. You can store them at room temperature for up to three days. For reheating, simply place a roll on a plate. Microwave it for about 15 to 20 seconds. This warms it up without drying it out. If you prefer a crispy texture, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 5 to 10 minutes. For long-term storage, you can freeze the cinnamon rolls. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or container. They can stay frozen for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy them, take the rolls out of the freezer. Place them in the fridge overnight to thaw. Once thawed, reheat them in the microwave or oven. For the microwave, use the same method as before. For the oven, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy your warm, gooey treat again! Yes, you can make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time. One option is to prepare the dough and let it rise. After the first rise, shape the rolls and place them in the baking dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them rise for about 30 minutes before baking. You can also bake the rolls and store them. Allow them to cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap. Store them at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving. If you do not have pecans, you can use other nuts. Walnuts are a great choice for their similar texture. Almonds or hazelnuts also work well. For a nut-free option, consider using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. You can even skip the nuts and add more cinnamon sugar for extra flavor. To make simple caramel sauce, you will need: - 1 cup granulated sugar - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - ½ cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat. Stir until it melts and turns amber. 2. Once melted, add the butter and stir until combined. 3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Be careful, as it will bubble up. 4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool before using. Tips for success: - Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent burning. - Keep an eye on the sugar, as it can quickly go from perfect to burnt. - If the sauce hardens, gently reheat it over low heat to soften. This blog post covered key steps to create perfect cinnamon rolls. We explored essential ingredients, from dry to filling, and discussed activating yeast at the right temperature. You learned how to knead dough and prepare tasty fillings. I also shared tips for baking, serving, and avoiding common mistakes. Remember, variations allow for fun flavors, and proper storage keeps them fresh. With these insights, you're ready to impress friends and family with delicious cinnamon rolls. Enjoy your baking adventure!

Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Deliciously soft and gooey cinnamon rolls topped with caramel and pecans.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 0.5 cup milk, warmed
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the warmed milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until frothy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir well. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough begins to form.
  • Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle (about 16x12 inches).
  • Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the chopped pecans generously on top, pressing them down slightly.
  • Carefully roll the dough tightly from one long edge to the other to form a log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
  • Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce on the bottom, then arrange the cinnamon rolls in the dish.
  • Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. While baking, heat the remaining caramel sauce for drizzling.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and then drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the top. Serve warm.

Notes

Serve warm for the best flavor.
Keyword caramel, cinnamon rolls, dessert, pecans