Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
Carrot cake cinnamon rolls combine all the flavors of cinnamon buns with the light sweetness of carrot cake. This homemade sweet roll recipe is the perfect treat for Easter breakfast or Mother's Day morning.
Servings: 8 rolls
Calories: 726kcal
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast equivalent to a single packet
- 1 15.25 oz box carrot cake mix
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup grated carrots
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Zest of one orange
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the warm water and yeast and let sit for five minutes to bloom.1-1/4 cups warm water, 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- To the yeast water add your cake mix and 2 cups flour.1 15.25 oz box carrot cake mix, 2 1/2 cups flour
- Using an electric mixer beat for 2 minutes and add another ¼ of the flour.
- Cover the mix and set aside in a warm area to rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Once the dough has doubled in size roll it out to about 16x12 rectangle give or take.
- Mix together the brown sugar, grated carrots and cinnamon.1/2 cup brown sugar, ½ cup grated carrots, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Spread ¼ cup softened butter evenly out all over the dough.1/4 cup butter
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture all over the dough.
- Slice the dough into 8 long strips and roll each strip up and place in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Cover and set aside for 1 hour to rise.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake rolls for 18-20 minutes until baked through.
- Set aside to cool slightly while you make the frosting.
- Using an electric hand mixer beat together the cream cheese, ¼ cup butter and powdered sugar until well combined.4 ounces cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar
- Spread evenly out over the entirety of the cinnamon rolls.
- Sprinkle with pecans and orange zest evenly out overtop.½ cup chopped pecans, Zest of one orange
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure you proof the yeast first to see if it is active. If the yeast doesn't foam it isn't active and your rolls won't rise. You'll need to get new yeast.
- Use warm but not hot water. Yeast multiplies the best between 105 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To help your cinnamon rolls rise, you can preheat your oven to warm. Once it preheats, turn the oven off and crack the door. Put the covered tray of rolls inside and you've got the perfect warm, dry environment to promote a good rise.
Nutrition
Calories: 726kcal | Carbohydrates: 121g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 523mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 1887IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 3mg