Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

User Reviews

4.9

60 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Rise Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 57 mins

  • Servings

    12

  • Calories

    784 kcal

  • Course

    Breakfast

  • Cuisine

    American

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

Easter breakfast never looked so good! Serve these homemade carrot cake cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting for your Easter brunch.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough:

  • 3/4 cup warm milk (about 115 degrees F**)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (I like Red Star Platinum Baking Yeast)
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon salt 6 grams
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 grams
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 100 grams
  • 1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrot 200 grams
  • 3/4 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened will work) 83 grams
  • 4 1/2 cups bread flour (divided) 535-590 grams

For the Filling:

  • 3/4 cup salted butter (almost melted)
  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (for pouring over the risen rolls)

For the Frosting:

  • 6 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup salted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Pour the warm milk (110-115ºF) in the bowl of your stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast overtop.
  2. Add the eggs, melted butter, salt, cinnamon and sugar to the yeast mixture. Then add the carrots and coconut.
  3. Add in 4 cups (save the other ½ cup and add only if you need it) of flour and mix using the paddle attachment just until the ingredients are barely combined. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes so the flour has time to soak up the liquids.
  4. Scrape the dough off the paddle and remove it. Attach the dough hook attachment. Beat the dough on medium speed, adding in up to ½ cup more flour if needed to form a dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes on low speed or until the dough is elastic and smooth. **The dough should be tacky and will still be sticking to the sides of the bowl. That’s ok! Don’t be tempted to add more flour at this point. We generally add about 4 1/4 cups, but start with 4 cups.
  5. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Use a rubber spatula to remove the dough from the mixer bowl and place dough in the greased large bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel, plastic wrap or wax paper.
  6. Set the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise until nearly double. It normally takes about 30 minutes for the dough to rise. Do not allow the dough to rise too much or your cinnamon rolls will be airy.
  7. While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, combine the soft butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Set aside.
  8. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and sprinkle the top of the dough with additional flour. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough to about a 24×15″ rectangle. (the size of the rectangle can vary…it does not have to be exact!) Use a rubber spatula to smooth the cinnamon sugar filling over the whole dough rectangle.
  9. Starting on the long edge, roll the dough up tightly jelly roll style. Cut the long roll into 12-15 slices using a serrated knife or dental floss and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.* Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise for 20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350ºF.
  10. Warm the heavy cream until the chill is off. Don’t make it hot…you just don’t want it cold. It should be warm to the touch. After 20 minutes, pour the heavy cream over the top of the rolls, allowing it to soak down in and around the rolls.
  11. Bake at 350ºF for 27-30 minutes. Check the roll after about 15 minutes of baking. If they look like they are getting too browned, place a piece of foil over the top of the pan for the remainder of the time. **Note…the time will vary based on how big the rolls are, what type of pan, how close the rolls are packed, etc. To see if they are done, lightly pull up on the edge of the cinnamon roll in the center. If it looks cooked and not too doughy, it is done.**
  12. While the rolls are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
  13. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter using a hand mixer. Blend well. Add in the vanilla and the powdered sugar. Beat until combined.
  14. Spread the frosting over the baked rolls. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired.
  15. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Rewarm the cinnamon rolls in the microwave.

Notes

  • You can use all-purpose flour. The doughs will be softer with this type of flour. Bread flour makes them a little more chewy.
  • If you want this to mimic our favorite carrot cake recipe, add raisins to the filling. Sprinkle raisins over the cinnamon mixture, then roll and pinch the seams closed.
  • One packet of yeast is 2 ¼ teaspoons.
  • If you don’t have cream, use half and half, coffee creamer, evaporated milk, whole milk or coconut cream. Any of these will work. Even 2% milk will work, but we prefer a higher fat milk.
  • The calories shown are based on the recipe making 12 rolls, with 1 serving being 1 frosted roll. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 784kcal (39%) Carbohydrates 99g (33%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 40g (62%) Saturated Fat 23g (115%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 123mg (41%) Sodium 488mg (20%) Potassium 277mg (8%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 60g (120%) Vitamin A 3836IU (77%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 115mg (12%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 784 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 784kcal 39%
Carbohydrates 99g 33%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 40g 62%
Saturated Fat 23g 115%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 488mg 20%
Potassium 277mg 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 60g 120%
Vitamin A 3836IU 77%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 115mg 12%
Iron 1mg 6%

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

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Overall Rating

4.9

60 reviews
Excellent

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