Description
These Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls combine soft, fluffy homemade cinnamon rolls with warm spices, grated carrots, and a rich cream cheese frosting. They’re perfect for Easter brunch, weekend breakfasts, or whenever you’re craving a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, if needed
Instructions
- 1. Combine the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of the sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- 2. Mix in the remaining sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla, salt, grated carrots, and flour until a soft dough forms.
- 3. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- 5. Roll the dough into a large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick.
- 6. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- 7. Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal rolls.
- 8. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
- 9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
- 11. Beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to make a smooth frosting.
- 12. Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and serve.
Notes
Pat the grated carrots dry with paper towels before adding them to the dough to prevent excess moisture.
For extra carrot cake flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the filling before rolling.
These rolls can be assembled the night before and refrigerated before the second rise.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and warm before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: carrot cake cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, carrot cake breakfast, cream cheese frosting, homemade sweet rolls