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Gooey Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Pecan Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 13 reviews

These Gooey Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Pecan Sauce are soft, fluffy, and packed with a spiced brown sugar filling. Topped with a luscious homemade caramel sauce and crunchy toasted pecans, they make an irresistible breakfast or dessert treat. The dough is enriched with eggs and milk, then allowed to rise twice for maximum fluffiness. Perfect for anyone craving a decadent, bakery-style cinnamon roll at home.

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 3 teaspoons yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 1 ¼ cups whole milk
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 5 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs

Filling:

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup melted butter (from ½ cup melted butter, divided)
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Caramel Pecan Sauce:

  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup toasted pecans

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Sprinkle yeast over ¼ cup warm water in a small bowl. Add a pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. If it does not foam, discard and restart the process to ensure yeast is active.
  2. Prepare Milk Mixture: Melt ⅓ cup butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1 ¼ cups whole milk and ⅓ cup sugar, microwave for about 30 seconds until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm but not hot.
  3. Make Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 5 cups flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the warmed milk mixture and yeast mixture. Mix to combine, then add 3 eggs. Using the dough hook, mix for 5-7 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky but manageable. Place dough in a lightly buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 60-90 minutes.
  4. Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup dark brown sugar, ¾ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir in ¼ cup melted butter and mix well. Set aside.
  5. Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup light corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon salt. Heat until butter melts, then increase to medium-high to boil and thicken the sauce for about 6 minutes, swirling occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 235ºF. Remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. If sauce thickens too much, microwave briefly to make it spreadable. Set aside.
  6. Assemble Rolls: Once dough has risen, roll it out into an 18 x 12 inch rectangle about ½ inch thick. Spread ¼ cup melted butter evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the prepared filling evenly over dough, leaving a ½ inch border. Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over filling and press lightly.
  7. Roll and Slice: Roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a serrated knife, cut into twelve 2-inch slices. Place rolls cut side up in a 9 x 13 inch pan lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30-60 minutes.
  8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until tops are golden brown.
  9. Add Caramel and Pecans: Remove rolls from oven using the parchment paper and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Spread half of the caramel sauce over each roll while warm. Sprinkle with ½ cup toasted pecans. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce on top as a finishing touch just before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the yeast is active by confirming the foaming during activation; otherwise the dough won't rise properly.
  • Use warm milk and butter mixture to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Press the chopped pecans into the filling so they stay in place while baking.
  • Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven; rolls should be golden brown but not overly dark.
  • Caramel sauce can be reheated in the microwave if it thickens before use to regain spreadable consistency.
  • Serving with extra toasted pecans enhances texture and flavor contrast.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/gooey-cinnamon-rolls-with-caramel-pecan-sauce-recipe/