Caramel Rolls Recipe

Soft caramel rolls baked to golden perfection and drizzled with rich caramel sauce—gooey, buttery, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe leans on staple ingredients that truly shine when combined. Each element is thoughtfully chosen for maximum flavor, irresistibly soft texture, and gorgeously golden color. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Whole milk: Adds richness and softness to the dough, ensuring every roll is perfectly tender.
• Large eggs: Help create structure, a fluffy crumb, and a beautiful golden hue for your Caramel Rolls.
• Unsalted butter: Brings that signature buttery depth and helps round out the caramel flavor.
• Heavy cream: Boosts the sauce with a luxurious, silky texture—your secret weapon for decadence.
• Bread flour: Provides extra gluten for a satisfyingly chewy, bakery-worthy roll every time.
• Light brown sugar: The essential ingredient for authentic caramel flavor and gooey topping.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warm, aromatic sweetness that enhances both the dough and caramel sauce.
• Ground cinnamon: Infuses every swirl with subtle spice and classic comfort.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and balances the deeper notes of brown sugar.
• Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal): Rounds out the sweetness and awakens the other flavors.

How to Make Caramel Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

Start by combining your milk, eggs, softened butter, heavy cream, vanilla, both sugars, cinnamon, salt, and bread flour in a large bowl or stand mixer. Mix and knead the ingredients until the dough turns smooth, elastic, and ever-so-slightly tacky. This step is where the magic begins, setting the foundation for gloriously soft Caramel Rolls. If you’re kneading by hand, don’t rush—the payoff is worth every minute.

Step 2: The First Rise

Once your dough is kneaded, cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm, draft-free spot. Give it 1 to 1½ hours to double in size; you should see it turn puffy and soft. This slow rise builds the flavor and fluffiness that make Caramel Rolls so special.

Step 3: Shape and Fill

Roll the dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Slather on softened butter—don’t be shy! Sprinkle generously with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure every inch is covered. Then, tightly roll the rectangle into a log, sealing the seam. Use a sharp knife or piece of dental floss to cut the log into equal slices for even baking and beautiful swirls.

Step 4: Prep the Pan and Assemble

Line your favorite baking pan with parchment or liberally butter it, then spread a layer of caramel sauce or a mix of butter and brown sugar on the bottom. This is what turns into that crave-worthy caramel glaze. Nestle your cut rolls, swirl-side up, in the pan with just a bit of space between each—leave room for them to puff up!

Step 5: The Second Rise

Cover the pan and let the rolls puff up for another 30 to 45 minutes. They should be pillowy and almost doubled in volume, promising a loftier, lighter final bake. The wait builds anticipation—and better texture!

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the Caramel Rolls at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re golden brown and your kitchen smells like a dream. Keep an eye on them for the perfect balance between moist and thoroughly baked—overbaking dries them out, so trust your nose and watch for that golden top.

Step 7: Flip and Serve

Here’s the showstopper: while the rolls are still warm, swiftly invert the pan onto a serving plate, letting all that molten caramel sauce cascade over the rolls. The aroma is pure bliss. Serve your Caramel Rolls immediately while the caramel is sticky and the rolls are tender.

How to Serve Caramel Rolls

Garnishes

Dress up your Caramel Rolls with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a handful of toasted pecans, or a generous drizzle of cream. These finishing touches add an irresistible layer of texture and flavor, bringing an extra hint of elegance to every sticky bite.

Side Dishes

Pair these rich rolls with fresh berries, smoked bacon, or tangy Greek yogurt to balance out the sweetness. The warmth and sweetness of Caramel Rolls play beautifully off the brightness of seasonal fruit or the savory crunch of breakfast classics.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your brunch platter to the next level: arrange the rolls in a blooming circle, tuck them into individual ramekins for single servings, or stack mini Caramel Rolls for a dramatic tower centerpiece. They’re stunning straight from the oven, but a little creativity makes them unforgettable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with a few leftover Caramel Rolls (a rare but happy scenario), cover them tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep in the fridge where they’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days. Just bring them to room temp or lightly warm before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

Caramel Rolls freeze beautifully baked or unbaked. For baked rolls, let them cool completely, then wrap each individual roll and place in an airtight container. For unbaked, assemble the rolls and freeze before the second rise; just thaw overnight then let rise before baking fresh in the morning.

Reheating

Warm your rolls in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds for a gooey, just-baked feel, or place them in a low oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Add a spoonful of extra caramel sauce if you have it—the warmth revives their plush texture and lets the caramel glisten anew.

FAQs

Can I make Caramel Rolls the night before?

Absolutely—you can assemble the rolls up to the second rise, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them warm up on the counter and finish rising before baking for fresh, sticky rolls without the early wakeup call.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes! Bread flour does create a chewier, more structured roll, but all-purpose flour will still give you delectable results with a slightly softer bite. Just be cautious with kneading and rising times, as it may affect texture.

What’s the secret to gooey caramel sauce?

The key is a generous amount of butter and heavy cream in your caramel base. Pour it into the pan before adding the rolls, and be sure not to overbake so the sauce remains luscious and sticky, not hard.

Why do I need to invert the pan after baking?

Inverting the pan immediately allows all the hot caramel to flow over and glaze the rolls instead of sticking to the pan. This classic move is what gives Caramel Rolls their signature glossy, irresistible coating.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even dark chocolate chips scattered over the caramel base or sprinkled inside the swirl add a fun twist and welcome extra crunch or richness. Caramel Rolls are endlessly adaptable to your favorite flavors.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Caramel Rolls are more than just a recipe—they’re a love letter to slow mornings and sweet indulgence. Give them a try and you’ll discover why this timeless treat wins everyone over, bite after gooey, golden bite!

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