Description
Deliciously soft and gooey Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls topped with cream cheese frosting, perfect for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm whole milk
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup finely grated carrots
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
- ⅓ cup raisins, optional
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
- Make the dough: Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Stir in the grated carrots. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Make the filling: Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a small bowl.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 15 × 10 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Scatter the nuts and raisins over the top.
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 10–12 equal rolls.
- Arrange the rolls in a greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between them. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 23–28 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.
- Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until creamy. Add milk a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts and a little extra grated carrot if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overbake the rolls. Take them out when the tops are lightly golden and the centers are just set.
- Frosting them while they’re still warm lets the cream cheese glaze melt into all those fluffy layers.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg