Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
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There’s nothing more delicious than homemade cinnamon rolls, and these caramel pecan cinnamon rolls are simply divine.

We start with a lovely yeast dough that comes together easily in a stand mixer, and add a delicious brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasted pecan filling. After baking the rolls to golden perfection, a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce takes this recipe to new heights!

Baked in partnership with Red Star Yeast, these sweet rolls are the perfect treat on a cozy fall morning, and absolutely delicious served up warm with a steaming mug of coffee or tea. Enjoy!


Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Salted caramel sauce takes these caramel pecan cinnamon rolls to new heights! Serve the sweet rolls warm for a cozy fall breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 1/2 cups (490 g) flour, divided
- 1 package Red Star PLATINUM Yeast
- 1/4 cup (48 g) sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (240 g) low-fat milk
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Filling
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (90 g) light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp (24 g) sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup (114 grams) toasted chopped pecans
Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cubed
- 1/2 cup (120 g) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- flaky salt, for topping
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups (280 g) flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixer bowl; mix on low speed until incorporated. Heat milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup for 45 seconds to 1 minute, until very warm (120-130°F). Add warm milk, butter, and egg to flour mixture and mix on low until combined; mix in remaining 1 1/2 cups (210 g) flour. Switch out the flat beater for a dough hook, and knead dough for 4-5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough is ready when it feels tacky but doesn’t stick to your fingers (if necessary, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time while kneading).
- Place dough in a large bowl coated with nonstick spray and cover with plastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 40 minutes. To check if dough has doubled, lightly flour two fingers and press them down into center of dough. If indentations remain, gently press down dough; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish (or two 9-inch round pans) with nonstick spray.
- Turn dough out on a lightly floured board and roll into an 18 x 12-inch rectangle. Spread dough with softened butter, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Combine sugars, cinnamon, and salt; sprinkle over dough and top with chopped pecans, pressing gently into dough with rolling pin. Carefully roll dough up into a tight log and pinch edges to seal.
- Trim off uneven ends and score dough into 12 equal slices. Use unflavored dental floss to slice dough crosswise (slip a long slice of floss under log of dough and cross on top to cut slices cleanly). Place rolls cut side up into prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with plastic and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- While the rolls rise, preheat oven to 350°F and make salted caramel sauce. Cook sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula. Continue cooking until sugar forms clumps and melts into a light amber colored liquid, about 4-5 minutes. Once the sugar is melted, carefully add butter a few pieces at a time, whisking constantly until incorporated. Slowly drizzle in heavy cream while whisking constantly. Let mixture boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and pour into a glass bowl. Stir in vanilla and salt; let cool to room temperature.
- Once the rolls have doubled in size, bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Drizzle salted caramel sauce over rolls before serving. If desired, sprinkle with flaky salt.
Keywords: Caramel, Salted Caramel, Pecan, Cinnamon Rolls
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Red Star Yeast. All opinions expressed are my own.
Delicious rolls, the caramel sauce really puts this recipe over the top!
★★★★★
I’ve used your caramel sauce on several things already. It is the easiest and best way to make caramel sauce. I won’t make it any other way now. The flavor is wonderful and so is the smooth texture. The pecan filling is just what I was looking for. Thank you again, Laura.
So happy to hear that! You’re welcome! 🙂
Thank you Laura for this amazing recipe, I’m addicted to these besties!
★★★★★
Hi Noemi, so happy to hear that! Thank you! 🙂
Cinnamon rolls are one of my absolute favorite treats! Love love love this caramel pecan version! Need to add these to my fall baking list!
I’m such a cinnamon roll addict! These look wonderful Laura and love the pecans on it 😀
I could eat that salted caramel sauce by the spoonful! What a fabulous cinnamon roll recipe!
what is the quantity of yeast in a Red Star packet? (g. or tsp) thanks!
Hi Jacinthe, each packet contains approximately 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast. Hope that helps! 🙂
These must be so addicting! Love salted caramel!
What amazing sticky buns! My dream breakfast…now if I just had the same metabolism as my sons, I’d go back for seconds and thirds!
★★★★★
I think we all would… thanks Liz! 🙂
This is why I am glad to be subscribed 🙂
★★★★★
I need to get these on my fall weekend baking list Laura! Cinnamon rolls are always such a treat. I love the caramel pecan combination!
★★★★★