Description
Delightful Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls infused with earthy sweetness of grated carrots and topped with creamy icing, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp dry yeast (instant or regular)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (very soft)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated)
- 2 medium carrots (grated; about 1 1/4 cups grated)
- 1 cup finely diced pecans (or walnuts, pistachios, almonds)
- 3/4 cup half-and-half (or cream; for baking)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1/4 cup finely diced pecans (for garnish; optional)
Instructions
- Warm the milk and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let sit for about five minutes until frothy.
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl or stand mixer. Add melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Pour in the milk mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about an hour.
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the surface.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and grated carrots in a bowl, and sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
- Sprinkle the diced nuts across the filling.
- Roll the dough tightly and cut into 12 rolls.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, cover, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Beat together cream cheese, half-and-half, powdered sugar, sea salt, and vanilla until smooth for icing.
- Top the warm rolls with prepared cream cheese icing.
Notes
You can prepare rolls overnight and refrigerate before baking. Let them sit at room temperature before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg