Monday, February 25

Caramel Nutty Cinnamon Rolls



Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me.... happy birthday to me!
In honor of my birthday have a cinnamon roll on me. These were delish! I love the fact that they are a make ahead too! Yes a make ahead cinnamon roll. You do have to make the caramel sauce the day of, but that takes only minutes. Enjoy!


The recipe was adapted from Mom on Time Out. A great site. You should check it out. 


For the rolls:

4 1/2 tsp or 2 pkgs of active dry yeast
1/2 cup of warm milk
3 eggs
2 tsp + 1/2 cup white sugar (divided)
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of melted butter

For the filling:


3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
1 1/2 Tbs ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp of salt (just a sprinkle)
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1/8 cup chopped almonds 

Caramel Icing*:


1/2 cup butter

1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup half and half
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cup powdered sugar

*update: After eating and making these amazing things over two days (to celebrate my birthday) I will be trying these again. I loved the caramel icing it also gave the rolls a nice gloss. The changes i will make cutting the sugar down a little bit (1/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup) in the main roll dough recipe, trying it with whole wheat white flour instead of all purpose flour to increase nutrition, and using 1/3- 1/2 less icing just because on the second day it got a little too sweet. But was very nice to have breakfast covered for two days in a row!  You will not be disappointed if you make these. 

To make the rolls: 
1. Mix together the 2 tsp sugar, warm milk, and yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. 

2. While waiting, beat the eggs in a mixer bowl or a large bowl. Add in the rest of the sugar and salt until well combined. 

3. After the 5 minutes is up pour the yeast mixture into the larger bowl. Whisk to combine. 

4. Slowly add in the flour, 1/2 cup at a time until the dough is stiff. You may start out using a hand mixer or mixer but may need to just use your hands towards the end. 

5. Let the dough rest and rise for approx 1 hour in a covered, buttered bowl. 

6. While waiting make the filling. Chop the pecans, almonds, peanuts and melt the butter. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and nuts. 


7. After the dough has risen. lightly flour your work surface and punch the dough and roll it out to a large rectangle. You are looking for something like 12 by 16 inches. 


8. Once evenly flat, with a rubber spatula spread the melted butter from edge to edge of the dough. Then sprinkle the nut/sugar mixture over the top. 




9. Starting  with the longest side of and roll it up like a log. Pinch the ends close. 


10. Butter a large baking dish and cut the dough log into 10 equal pieces. Place them in the buttered baking dish leaving some room for them rise for an hr in a warm place. Use plastic wrap or a clean towel over the top. 


11. Place them in the refrigerator with plastic wrap over them and bake the next day. Or if baking immediately continue to step 12. 



12. On baking day pull the rolls out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature. Mine were actually still a bit cold and had been out for half hr on top of the preheating warm oven.  If you are using fresh dough, not from the day before, you do not need to give it extra time to get warm. 

13. Preheat oven to 375 bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown

14. While the rolls are baking make the caramel icing. To make the icing melt the butter in a small pan. Once the butter is melted add in the brown sugar and salt. Stir until smooth over low heat for 5 minutes. Should be a nice brown rich color. 

15. Add the half and half to the caramel sauce. Whisk for a few more minutes to create a super smooth sauce. Last, add in the vanilla and the powered sugar.

16. Remove the sauce pan from heat, and continoue whisking for several more minutes until extremely smooth. The lumps of the powedered sugar will dissolve into a lighter nice brown sauce. (This is your pre-cinnamon roll comsumption workout)

17. Remove the rolls from the oven and pour on icing immediately. Let the icing run all over and into the cracks. At first it will look the rolls are swimming this will settle. Let them cool for a few minutes. Serve warm to good friends, visiting guests, and of course anyone having a birthday needs one too. 




May your birthday be as tasty and sweet as mine was today. Thanks for visiting and sharing it with me. 
From my Az kitchen to yours 




2 comments:

  1. Lovely way to gift yourself! An excellent habit to get into:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe Stephanie!

    ReplyDelete

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