Caramel Rolls

Similar to sticky buns, these super tender caramel rolls are full of warmly spiced filling—pure perfection alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea. In this indulgent and crowd-pleasing recipe, gooey caramel cascades down the tops and sides of the rolls, completely encasing them in sticky goodness. 

Caramel rolls are a great alternative to sticky buns or pecan rolls, too, if anyone in the house is allergic to nuts. You're delivering all the same warm and cozy flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar, but the rich caramel sauce puts them over the top—and you won't even miss the nuts.

Caramel Rolls Ingredients

To make the caramel, you’ll need just three easy-to-find ingredients:

• granulated sugar
• light corn syrup
• heavy whipping cream
• plus cooking spray

To make the dough, you’ll need:

• more heavy whipping cream
• granulated sugar
• unsalted butter
• instant or quick-rising yeast (such as Fleischmann’s RapidRise)
• eggs
• kosher salt
• bread flour

For the filling, you'll need:

• light brown sugar
• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• ground cinnamon

How To Make Caramel Rolls

There are three distinct steps in making caramel rolls:

• Step 1. Make the caramel topping. Pour it in a baking dish.
• Step 2. Make the dough.
• Step 3. Make the rolls, and bake them.

Here's an outline of that process, with the full recipe further down the page.

For the caramel topping

To make the caramel:

• Step 1. Cook the sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium-high, until it turns a deep amber color.
• Step 2. Take the saucepan off the heat, and whisk in the cream until smooth.
• Step 3. Pour the caramel mixture into a greased baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Set it aside uncovered while you prepare the dough. 

For the dough

Making caramel roll dough isn't difficult. It just takes a little time and patience.

• Step 1. Stir together water, cream, sugar, butter, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Let stand until foamy before adding the eggs and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined.
• Step 2. Add flour, mixing at low speed until just combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium, and beat until the dough comes together.
• Step 3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until elastic. Form the dough into a tight ball, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise for 10 minutes.

Putting it all together

It's time to add the filling and make the individual rolls:

• Step 1. Prepare the filling by stirring together brown sugar, butter, granulated sugar, and cinnamon to combine. Set the filling aside, and preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Step 2. Roll out the dough into a rectangle, and sprinkle the filling evenly over the surface, pressing it into the dough.
• Step 3. Roll the dough into a log, and cut the log crosswise into 12 slices.
• Step 4. Arrange the slices in a baking pan, and then bake in the preheated oven until the tops are golden brown and cooked through.
• Step 5. Remove from the oven, and let cool on a wire rack for five minutes.
• Step 6. Invert the baking pan onto a dish or a large-rimmed baking sheet. 

Tips for Making Caramel Rolls

If you don't want to make your own caramel from scratch for this recipe, you could instead use soft caramel candies and melt them with heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency.

For more texture in the final dish—and a distinctly Southern touch—try adding chopped pecans on top of the rolls or within the filling.

Storing Leftover Caramel Rolls

If not serving the rolls immediately after baking, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. And these do make excellent leftovers: You might say caramel rolls are even better the next day as the bread absorbs the caramel flavor.

How To Serve Caramel Rolls

Serve these tasty caramel rolls all by themselves—or alongside a cold glass of milk, or a steaming mug of coffee. 

More Sticky Buns and Cinnamon Rolls

Need more breakfast inspiration? Here are more rolled up treats:

• Golden-Delicious Sticky Buns
• Best-Ever Sticky Buns
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Icing
• Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.