Soft, gooey, and dripping with buttery caramel sauce—these Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls are pure indulgence! Each bite is a perfect balance of warm cinnamon, crunchy pecans, and rich caramel, all wrapped in a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dough. Whether you’re making these for a cozy breakfast, a special brunch, or just because you deserve a sweet treat, trust me—this recipe is a total game-changer.
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Why You’ll Love Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls aren’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth; they’re about creating that warm, comforting feeling that makes any day better. Here’s why you’ll adore them:
- Incredibly Soft & Fluffy: The dough bakes up perfectly tender with a pillowy texture.
- Rich, Buttery Caramel Sauce: Dripping over every roll, making them extra decadent.
- Nutty Crunch: Toasted pecans add the perfect balance of texture and flavor.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the night before and bake fresh in the morning!
- Better Than Store-Bought: Once you try homemade, you’ll never go back!
Ingredients in Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls come together with simple pantry staples, but the flavor is out of this world. Let’s break it down:
Dough: Soft and pillowy, made with flour, yeast, butter, and milk for the perfect texture.
Brown Sugar & Cinnamon: The heart of that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
Butter: Because everything is better with a rich, buttery taste.
Pecans: Toasted for extra crunch and nutty goodness.
Caramel Sauce: A homemade buttery caramel that seeps into every bite.
Cream Cheese Glaze: Optional, but adds an extra creamy, tangy layer on top.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
How to Make Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Follow these steps for cinnamon roll perfection:
Prepare the Dough: Mix and knead the dough until soft and elastic. Let it rise until doubled in size.
Make the Filling: Combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for that gooey, spiced layer.
Roll & Fill: Roll out the dough, spread on the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and sprinkle with pecans.
Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough into a log, slice into rolls, and arrange them in a baking dish.
Make the Caramel Sauce: Melt butter, brown sugar, and cream to create a rich caramel base. Pour over the rolls.
Second Rise: Let the rolls rest for another 30 minutes to puff up beautifully.
Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F until golden brown and bubbling with caramel goodness.
Drizzle with Glaze: If using, top with a cream cheese glaze for extra indulgence.
Serve Warm & Enjoy: These are best fresh out of the oven—sticky, sweet, and utterly delicious!
How to Serve Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls are pure comfort on their own, but here are a few ways to make them even better:
- With Coffee or Tea: The perfect pairing for a cozy morning.
- Topped with Extra Caramel: Because there’s no such thing as too much caramel!
- Served Warm with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla takes them to dessert level.
- Garnished with More Pecans: For extra crunch and a beautiful finish.
Additional Tips
- Make Ahead: Prep the rolls and refrigerate overnight. Just bake in the morning!
- Storage Tips: Keep leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently.
- Freezer Friendly: Freeze unbaked rolls and bake fresh when needed.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for extra depth.
- Dough Substitute: In a pinch? Use store-bought dough to save time!
FAQ
Q1: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
A1: Absolutely! But homemade caramel makes a world of difference.
Q2: Can I make these without pecans?
A2: Of course! They’re just as delicious without nuts.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Q4: Can I freeze the dough?
A4: Yes! Freeze before the second rise, then thaw and bake when ready.
Q5: What’s the best way to reheat?
A5: Warm in the oven at 300°F or microwave for 20 seconds.
Q6: Can I make these gluten-free?
A6: Yes, just use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
Q7: Do I have to use cream cheese glaze?
A7: Nope! The caramel sauce is plenty sweet on its own.
Q8: Can I make mini versions?
A8: Yes! Just cut smaller rolls and reduce the baking time.
Q9: How do I prevent the caramel from burning?
A9: Cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
Q10: Can I add raisins?
A10: Absolutely! Just mix them into the filling for a sweet twist.
Final Thoughts
These Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls are the definition of indulgence—soft, sticky, and packed with rich caramel goodness. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just treating yourself, they’re guaranteed to impress. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake the best cinnamon rolls of your life!
Print
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Caramel Pecan Rolls are the ultimate treat—soft, fluffy brioche dough swirled with a sticky, buttery caramel sauce and loaded with toasted pecans. Perfect for a decadent breakfast, brunch, or special dessert, these homemade pecan sticky buns taste just like they came from a bakery!
Ingredients
For the Sweet Dough:
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1 cup whole milk, warm
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1 tbsp active dry yeast
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5 tbsp granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
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1 tsp kosher salt
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1/2 cup salted butter, very soft (divided, 1 stick)
For the Caramel Sauce:
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3/4 cup salted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
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1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
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1/3 cup honey
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1/3 cup heavy cream
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1/3 cup water
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1/4 tsp kosher salt
For the Roll Filling:
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1 3/4 cups pecans, toasted (about 8 oz)
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1/3 cup granulated sugar
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1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/2 tsp cinnamon
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Dash nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Dough
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Warm 1 cup whole milk in the microwave in 20-second increments until it reaches 105-110°F (about the temperature of a warm bath).
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Stir in 1 tbsp yeast and 5 tbsp granulated sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
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Whisk in 2 eggs until smooth.
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In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flour and salt.
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Pour in the wet ingredients and mix using the paddle attachment until just combined.
Step 2: Knead and Rise
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Switch to a dough hook (or knead by hand) and gradually add ½ cup softened butter, kneading for 8-10 minutes until dough is smooth.
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Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce
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In a saucepan, melt ¾ cup butter over medium heat.
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Stir in brown sugar, honey, heavy cream, water, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, until smooth.
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Pour caramel sauce into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle toasted pecans over the caramel.
Step 4: Assemble the Rolls
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Roll out the risen dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
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In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle evenly over the dough.
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Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 equal slices.
Step 5: Second Rise & Bake
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Place rolls over the caramel pecan layer. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes, until puffy.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 6: Flip & Serve
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Let rolls cool for 5 minutes, then carefully invert the pan onto a serving platter so the caramel drips over the rolls.
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Serve warm and enjoy these soft, sticky, caramel-drizzled pecan rolls!
Notes
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Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning.
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a fresh-baked taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg