Soft and gooey Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls topped with rich caramel glaze and crunchy pecans. Perfect for a decadent breakfast, brunch, or holiday treat.
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls are a decadent breakfast or brunch treat. They feature soft, fluffy dough filled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with rich caramel glaze and crunchy pecans.
Ideal for special occasions, holidays, or weekend mornings. These rolls combine classic cinnamon roll flavors with the irresistible sweetness of caramel and the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans.
Easy to make at home, they’re sure to impress family and friends with every bite. It’s one of the best Caramel Dessert Recipes.
If you love cinnamon rolls also try Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls and Bacon Cinnamon Rolls.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Soft and fluffy texture – The dough is enriched with butter and eggs, creating light, tender rolls that melt in your mouth.
- Decadent caramel flavor – Gooey caramel topping adds richness and sweetness that complements the cinnamon filling perfectly.
- Crunchy pecans – Toasted pecans on top provide texture and a nutty contrast to the soft rolls.
- Perfect for occasions – Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gatherings where a show-stopping treat is needed.
- Make-ahead friendly – Dough can be prepared ahead of time, making it easier to enjoy freshly baked rolls without the morning rush.
Ingredients
- Whole Milk – Warm (not boiling) milk helps activate the yeast and contributes to a soft, tender dough.
- Active Dry Yeast – Ensure your yeast is fresh and not expired for proper rising.
- White Flour – Regular all-purpose flour works best to create a soft, elastic dough.
- Salted Butter – Soften at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dough and filling.
- Light Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and depth to the cinnamon filling. You can use store-bought or homemade brown sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adjust the amount to suit your preference for a mild or extra cinnamon flavor.
- Kraft Butterscotch Chips – Adds gooey, rich sweetness to the rolls for a decadent twist.
- Pecans – Chop finely to sprinkle on top and incorporate into the filling for crunch and nutty flavor.
Find the entire ingredients list at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Chocolate Drizzle – Replace or combine the butterscotch chips with chocolate chips for a chocolate-caramel twist.
- Maple Glaze – Swap the caramel topping for a maple glaze for a different sweet flavor profile.
- Extra Nuts – Mix in walnuts or almonds with the pecans for added crunch and flavor variety.
- Cinnamon Boost – Increase the cinnamon in the filling for a spicier, more aromatic roll.
- Mini Rolls – Make smaller rolls in a muffin tin for individual servings, perfect for brunch or parties.
- Make-Ahead Dough – Prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for convenience.
- Caramel Swirl Inside – Add a layer of caramel sauce inside the roll along with the cinnamon-sugar filling for an extra gooey center.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Then cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the yeast to sit at room temperature for about five minutes, or until foamy. The milk should be warm but not extremely hot or it will not rise.
Step 3. Whisk in the canola oil, flour, and cinnamon until no dry clumps of flour remain. You can use a stand mixer if desired.
Step 4. Place the dough on a floured surface. Don’t use too much flour. Then knead for five minutes.
Step 5. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
- Step 6. Evenly roll the dough out using a lightly floured surface. Make the filling by melting the butter and mixing it together with the brown sugar and remaining cinnamon.
- Step 7. Spread the filling across the dough. Then roll it into a cylindrical shape on the long side with a rolling pin and cut it into discs.
Step 8. Put the rolls in a dish. Allow to rise for 20 more minutes. They should double in size. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 9. While they bake, melt the caramel chips in the microwave and stir in the pecans. Remove the cinnamon rolls from oven and spoon the gooey caramel sauce on top of the rolls. Then bake the rolls for 5 more minutes. Place on a serving platter and enjoy.
Storage
Room Temperature – Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Refrigerator – Keep rolls covered in the fridge for 4–5 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven to restore softness.
Freezer – Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven before serving.
Glaze Storage – Store any leftover caramel or glaze separately in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips and Tricks
- Warm the milk – Make sure milk is warm (not hot) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Check yeast freshness – Using expired yeast can prevent the dough from rising properly.
- Even rolling – Roll the dough evenly to ensure consistent thickness and uniform baking.
- Softened butter – Use room-temperature butter for easy mixing and a tender dough.
- Chop pecans finely – Small pieces distribute evenly and provide a nice crunch without large chunks.
- Layer evenly – Spread the cinnamon-sugar and butterscotch mixture uniformly for consistent flavor in every roll.
- Bake immediately after shaping – Letting shaped rolls sit too long can affect texture; follow the proofing instructions carefully.
- Serve warm – Rolls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven or slightly warmed, topped with caramel and nuts.
More Cinnamon Desserts
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
- Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Easy Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake Recipe
- Homemade cinnamon rolls
- Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
Everyone will enjoy these gooey Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns. Make them today for a real treat. Please come back and leave a comment and star rating.
Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk warm
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 Tbsp canola oil
- 2 ½ cups white flour
- 4 Tbsp salted butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon divided
- 11 oz package of Kraft butterscotch chips
- ½ cup crushed pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the milk and yeast. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the yeast to sit for about five minutes, or until foamy.
- Whisk in the canola oil, flour, and 1 tsp of the cinnamon until no dry clumps of flour remain.
- Place the dough onto a floured surface and knead for five minutes. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
- Roll the dough out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick and prep the filling by melted the butter and mixing it together with the brown sugar and remaining cinnamon.
- Spread the filling across the dough, roll it into a long cylindrical shape, and cut it into discs.
- Place the rolls in an 8×8 inch baking dish and allow the rolls to rise for 20 more minutes.
- Bake the rolls for 20 minutes in 350 degrees oven.
- Meanwhile melt the caramel chips in the microwave, stir in the pecans.
- Remove the cinnamon rolls from oven and spoon the caramel on top of the rolls.
- Bake the rolls for 5 more minutes, serve immediately, and enjoy!
