Sweet Swirls: Caramel Pecan Rolls Recipe for Brunch Joy

Warm, gooey caramel pecan delight rolls dance between sweet indulgence and comforting nostalgia.

These delectable pastries weave a magical spell with their irresistible aroma of rich caramel and toasted pecans.

Soft, pillowy dough embraces a luxurious filling that promises pure happiness in every bite.

Each roll whispers stories of weekend mornings and lazy breakfasts shared with loved ones.

The golden-brown swirls glisten with a sticky caramel glaze that beckons you closer.

Crisp pecans add a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the tender, melt-in-your-mouth dough.

Dive into this recipe and let your kitchen become a sanctuary of delicious memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 386 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients You’ll Need for Caramel Pecan Rolls

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for soft, pillowy rolls with perfect texture.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential living organism that helps dough rise and develop rich, airy structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten development in dough.

• Milk: Creates tender crumb and helps activate yeast with gentle warmth.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and creates flaky, delicate texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients, provides structure, and contributes to golden color.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and creates luscious caramel base.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth, silky caramel with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Pecans: Introduces delightful crunch and nutty complexity to sweet rolls.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice that complements caramel perfectly.

Serving Suggestions for Caramel Pecan Roll Lovers

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these caramel pecan rolls with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or rich hot chocolate for a decadent morning treat that elevates your breakfast experience.
• Gourmet Ice Cream Topping: Crumble a slightly cooled roll over vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream, creating a luxurious dessert that blends warm, gooey caramel with cool, creamy textures.
• Brunch Party Centerpiece: Arrange the rolls on a beautiful wooden board surrounded by fresh berries, whipped cream, and a light dusting of powdered sugar to create an eye-catching centerpiece that will impress your guests during weekend brunch gatherings.
• Afternoon Tea Indulgence: Serve these rolls alongside a selection of herbal teas, transforming your afternoon break into a delightful, sweet moment of pure relaxation and comfort.

Best Way to Store Caramel Rolls Overnight

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
• Freezing Friendly Technique: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their gooey caramel and soft consistency.
• Advance Preparation Magic: Assemble rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow gentle temperature adjustment, then bake as directed for fresh morning treats.

Tools That Make Pecan Rolls Easier to Bake

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
• Saucepan: Essential for warming milk and preparing caramel topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredients.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for baking and presenting the rolls.
• Rolling pin: Helps create a smooth, even dough rectangle.
• Sharp knife or bench scraper: Cleanly cuts dough into 12 even rolls.
• Clean kitchen towel: Covers dough during rising process.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for blending caramel and mixing fillings.

How to Roll, Fill, and Bake Caramel Pecan Rolls

• Yeast Awakening

Gently warm milk and invite yeast to dance, creating a frothy playground of flavor. Let the mixture bubble and develop for a few magical moments.

• Dough Creation

Blend flour and other ingredients, transforming them into a soft, pliable canvas that will become your delectable rolls. Knead with gentle, loving motions until the dough feels smooth and alive.

• Caramel Magic

Craft a luscious caramel base that will cradle your rolls in sweet, golden richness. Melt butter and brown sugar into a silky river of deliciousness.

• Flavor Layering

Roll out the dough into a generous rectangle, painting it with a luxurious blend of cinnamon and butter. Create swirls of aromatic goodness that will make taste buds sing.

• Rolling Adventure

Carefully transform the flat landscape into a spiraled wonder, slicing gently into perfect portions of pure comfort.

• Baking Transformation

Nestle the rolls into their caramel bath and let the oven work its transformative magic. Watch as golden edges emerge and tantalizing aromas fill the kitchen.

• Sweet Reveal

Flip the pan to unveil a cascading masterpiece of caramel-drenched rolls, inviting everyone to dive into this warm, gooey celebration of flavor.

Tips to Keep Caramel Rolls Gooey and Warm

• Baking Magic Tricks: Ensure your yeast is fresh and active by checking the expiration date, as stale yeast can prevent proper rising.
• Make-Ahead Masterplan: Prepare the rolls up to the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to let them come to room temperature.
• Nutty Flavor Boosters: Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before adding to the caramel topping to enhance their rich, deep flavor and create a more aromatic crunch.
• Caramel Care Secrets: If the caramel begins to separate or looks grainy, whisk in a tablespoon of hot water to help smooth it out and create a silky, glossy texture.
• Texture Transformation Tip: For extra soft rolls, substitute some of the all-purpose flour with cake flour, which will create an incredibly tender and delicate pastry that melts in your mouth.

Gooey Caramel Pecan Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Caramel pecan delight rolls blend Southern comfort with sweet indulgence from classic pastry traditions. Warm, gooey rolls promise a delectable journey through rich layers of buttery dough and nutty caramel perfection.

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Ingredients

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• 3 ½ cups (437.5 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps ground cinnamon
• 2 ¼ tsps active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Warm milk to 110°F, blend with sugar and yeast. Allow mixture to foam and bubble for 5-10 minutes, creating a living foundation for the rolls.
2. Craft Dough: Combine flour, activated yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Knead on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, developing gluten structure and texture.
3. First Rise: Place dough in a buttered bowl, cover with a clean towel. Allow to rise in a warm environment for approximately one hour, expanding to double its original volume.
4. Prepare Caramel Base: Melt butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Create a luscious golden sauce and pour into a baking dish, sprinkling chopped pecans across the surface.
5. Create Filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a fragrant, uniform spread.
6. Shape Rolls: Roll dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread cinnamon mixture evenly, leaving a small border. Roll tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 even spirals.
7. Second Rise: Position rolls cut-side down on the caramel base. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes, allowing them to become puffy and interconnected.
8. Bake and Finish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Immediately invert onto a serving platter, allowing caramel to drape dramatically over the rolls. Serve warm for maximum sensory delight.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure milk temperature is precisely 110°F for optimal yeast performance; too hot kills yeast, too cold prevents activation.
• Dough Kneading Technique: Stretch and fold dough consistently for 6-8 minutes to develop gluten structure, creating light and fluffy rolls.
• Proofing Precision: Find a warm, draft-free spot around 80-85°F for dough rising, which helps achieve maximum volume and soft texture.
• Caramel Success Secret: Use heavy cream and consistently stir caramel sauce to prevent burning and ensure smooth, rich consistency.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 386
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 192 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg