Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

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Christina Ross
Christina Rosshttps://www.healthyfoodforliving.com/
I'm a human being on planet earth. I've lived hundreds of lifetimes. In this incarnation I'm here to advance medicine.

Carrot cake meets cinnamon rolls in this delightful fusion of flavors.These Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls are soft, sweet, and swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling, all topped off with a luscious cream cheese glaze.

Whether you’re a fan of classic cinnamon rolls or a carrot cake enthusiast, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Follow these simple steps to create a memorable breakfast or dessert treat.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely grated carrots
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt. Mix well.

Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, while continuously mixing. Add the grated carrots, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to the dough.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until it forms a smooth paste.

3. Assemble the Rolls

After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface, approximately 16×20 inches.

Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough. Sprinkle chopped pecans and raisins on top if desired.

Starting from one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut it into 12 equal-sized rolls using a sharp knife.

Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.

4. Bake the Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and the centers are cooked through.

5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze

In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.

Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired glaze consistency.

6. Serve

Once the carrot cake cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, let them cool slightly.

Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls.

Serve your delicious Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls and enjoy!

Name:Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
CuisineAmerican
Prep Time30 minutes
Cooking Time25-30 minutes
Total Time120 minutes
Servings12 rolls
Yield12 rolls

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 380

Total Fat: 17g

Saturated Fat: 9g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 75mg

Sodium: 320mg

Total Carbohydrates: 53g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 26g

Protein: 6g

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Indisputably a healthier recipe than that of most cinnamon rolls, this one calls for whole wheat pastry flour, applesauce, and a low amount of sugar. That might not sound like the makings for a tasty cinnamon roll, but when you add warm carrot cake spices, golden raisins, walnuts, and a decadent-tasting but light cream cheese glaze, you get a delicious & healthy result!

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

I know the directions list looks a bit intimidating, but I assure you none of the steps are too difficult. I find the whole process to be rather meditative: hand mixing and kneading the dough, rolling it out and scattering the filling over top…

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

… rolling the dough up nice & snug and nestling the cut pieces into a cake pan.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

It’s so rewarding to peek at the rolls an hour later and behold them in their puffed-up risen glory.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Then they emerge golden and warm from the oven, perfuming the air with their intoxicating aroma.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

You can’t really see the flecks of grated carrot in the baked dough, but I assure you they’re in there ;).

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Then comes the cream cheese glaze. Because let’s be honest, what is carrot cake without cream cheese? What are cinnamon rolls without glaze?

Boring, that’s what.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

I opted for a consistency thinner than frosting, thus I’m calling this silky smooth, partly sweet partly tangy, and absolutely delicious concoction a glaze.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

The following photo looks like a gargantuan cinnamon roll with a huge bite taken out of it.

Don’t think I didn’t consider doing just that.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Yet, I held back and served myself a more reasonably sized portion.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Given the modest amount of sugar in the carrot cake dough, it is more akin to bread than the typical cinnamon roll.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

But once you cut into the roll, the sweet, cinnamon-heavy, walnut- & raisin- studded filling is revealed.

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Keep on unraveling the soft but hearty swirls of bread, and you’ll finally reach the absolute best part of the cinnamon roll:

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

If you’ve been searching for a slightly indulgent sweet treat for Easter brunch, (or for any day of the week), I’ve got you covered!

Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

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