Caramel Pecan Rolls

User Reviews

5

12 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    25 mins

  • Total Time

    55 mins

  • Servings

    12

  • Calories

    482 kcal

  • Course

    Breakfast

  • Cuisine

    French

Caramel Pecan Rolls

Caramel Pecan Rolls are sweet, yeasted dough rolls filled with a cinnamon brown sugar mixture and baked atop a rich pecan-caramel sauce. The dough is enriched with eggs, buttermilk, and butter, resulting in tender, flavorful rolls with a moist interior and sticky, nutty caramelized base. These rolls combine a soft crumb with a gooey caramel topping studded with toasted pecans.

Description

This recipe starts with a yeast dough incorporating eggs, brown sugar, buttermilk, salt, melted butter, and flour to create a lightly sweet, tender dough. After mixing and kneading, the dough is allowed to rise until doubled in size, which develops flavor and lightness. Meanwhile, a pecan-caramel sauce is made by melting butter with brown sugar and combining with buttermilk or cream and chopped pecans; this sauce is poured into the baking pan before assembling the rolls.

The rolls are then spread with cinnamon brown sugar filling, rolled up, cut into portions, and placed atop the caramel in the pan. Baking melts the sugar and butter, creating a luscious gooey topping that coats the rolls from below. The pecans add crunch and a deep nutty note complementing the caramel and cinnamon flavors.

These caramel pecan rolls serve well as a sweet breakfast treat or dessert, especially fresh and warm for their soft texture and sticky topping. They pair nicely with coffee or tea and can be served to guests or for leisurely weekend meals.

Note that the recipe is adapted from the Food Lab Cookbook, and attention to dough consistency and caramel preparation will ensure a successful bake. Using buttermilk in both dough and caramel keeps the rolls moist and tangy balanced. The timing for rising and baking helps develop a tender crumb and gooey topping.

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Ingredients

Servings

Dough:

  • 3 Large egg
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 6 Tablespoons butter melted
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

Pecan-Caramel Sauce:

  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons buttermilk or heavy cream
  • 1 cup pecan coarsely chopped

Brown Sugar Filling:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

For the Dough:

  1. In a large bowl, Bosch mixing bowl, or KitchenAid mixer, whisk the eggs until mixed together.  Add brown sugar, buttermilk, yeast, and melted butter. Whisk together. Sprinkle in flour and salt. Stir until a ball of dough forms together.
  2. If making by hand in a bowl, remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Knead for 2-3 minutes.  If using a Bosch or KitchenAid, mix for two minutes on a medium speed. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double in size, about two hours. 

Pecan Caramel Sauce:

  1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, until it is completely dissolved and beginning to bubble, about 2 minutes.  Pour in the buttermilk or cream (be careful as it may splatter) and pecans.  Stir until the caramel mixture is smooth and mixed together. Pour into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. 

Brown Sugar Filling:

  1. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. Set aside.

Assemble Sticky Buns:

  1. Turn the raised dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Roll into a rectangle that is approximately 16 inches long and 12 inches wide.  Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. 
  2. Roll the dough up into a tight cylinder.  Pinch the seam shut and turn the dough so it is seam-side down.  Use a very sharp knife to cut into 12 slices.  Place facing up in prepared dish with caramel pecan filling on the bottom.  Cover with plastic wrap and let double in size, about 2 hours.  After the rising process, the rolls should be puffy and touch each other.
  3. While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake until rolls are puffed up and cooked through, about 24-28 minutes.  Watch carefully as the rolls can brown quickly.  Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then invert the sticky buns onto a serving platter.  Scrape the rest of the filling all over the sticky buns. Serve. 

Notes

  • Make sure the dough is well kneaded until smooth and elastic for a soft texture.
  • Use coarsely chopped pecans for a noticeable crunch in the caramel sauce.
  • Pour the warmed caramel pecan sauce into the baking pan before placing rolls to allow the sauce to coat the bottoms beautifully during baking.
  • Allow rolls to rise fully before baking for best volume and tenderness.
  • Serve the rolls warm for the best sensory experience, as the caramel will be gooey and the dough soft.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 482kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 68g (23%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g (18%) Monounsaturated Fat 7g (35%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 81mg (27%) Sodium 437mg (18%) Potassium 192mg (4%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 34g (68%) Vitamin A 483IU (10%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 75mg (8%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 482 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 482kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 68g 23%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 437mg 18%
Potassium 192mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 34g 68%
Vitamin A 483IU 10%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 75mg 8%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5

12 reviews
Excellent

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