Irresistibly soft and fluffy overnight caramel rolls, soaked in luscious butterscotch sauce. The best way to start the weekend!
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There’s absolutely no better way to start a weekend than having this irresistibly soft and sweet caramel rolls waiting to be baked as you roll out of the bed.
These super fluffy rolls are baked IN the caramel sauce, soaking up all the goodness. And that’s not all, you can reserve some to serve on the side too, because you’ll have more than enough sauce. Wait, no, there’s never enough sauce, but you know what I mean.
Speaking of caramel sauce… Did you notice it’s not just another caramel sauce? It’s butterscotch caramel sauce, my friend. And is there a difference, you wonder? Yes, a tiny, but noticeable difference. Unlike regular caramel sauce, butterscotch caramel sauce is made with brown sugar and butter. But for these caramel rolls, I actually don’t add butter, because you won’t miss it. This butterscotch caramel sauce still has that lusciousness and fabulous balance of sweet and salty with a punch of vanilla.
Terrified of yeast dough?
Let me assure you, there’s absolutely nothing to fear. It’s just yeast, that thrives in a warm environment with a little bit of sugar and lots of love. Give the dough this 3 things and you’re good to go, I promise.
QUICK TIP:
Remember I said yeast dough loves a warm environment? Well, here’s how I accommodate that. I microwave a tall glass of water for 2 minutes to create steamy hot environment, and then I put the bowl with dough in it. No, we don’t turn on the microwave, we’re just using it as an insulated box. My yeast-y dough loves it! Give it a try.
And once the dough is nice and tall, punch it down, roll it out, fill it and roll it into a log. Arrange the rolls in the bath of caramel sauce and refrigerate till morning. And try to have a good night! 🙂 Because it’s hard to sleep when you know that caramel rolls are waiting for you. (Or is that just me?)
And just as soon as sun peeks over the horizon, you’ll be up. It’s finally time to BAKE the sweet rolls! Imagine how sweet aroma of freshly baked rolls fill your kitchen as you sip on your cup of coffee by the oven, waiting patiently to dig in. If that’s not a perfect start of the weekend, I don’t know what is!
Enjoy!
Caramel Rolls
Ingredients
For dough:
- 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup 60ml warm water
- 1 cup 240ml milk
- 4 cups 500gr all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- ¼ cup 60ml vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Butterscotch Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup 200gr packed brown sugar (either light or dark)
- 1 cup 240ml heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt or table salt
- ½ cup pecans halves
For Filling:
- 2 tablespoons 30gr unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup 50gr sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- To make the dough, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and let it stand for 10 min. (Make sure the water isn’t too hot, or it’ll kill the yeast. And if the water is too cool, it won’t activate the yeast.) The mixture should bubble up, which a sign that yeast is alive. And that’s a good thing!
- Warm the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds, just until it’s tepid.
- In a mixing bowl with dough hook attachment, mix together flour, yeast mixture, milk, egg, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder and salt until everything is incorporated. Take the dough onto a flat surface dusted with a bit of flour and knead for a few minutes.
- Transfer the dough into large oiled bowl and cover it with wet towel. Put it in warm place for an hour to rise. I put it in a microwave with glass of hot water. (Don’t turn on the microwave.)
- Meanwhile, prepare the butterscotch caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream and brown sugar. Bring it to simmer over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Once the sugar is melted, continue to cook for about 5 minutes, whisking frequently. Add vanilla extract and salt. Taste and make sure you’re happy with the flavor. Add more vanilla extract or salt, if needed. Cool slightly.
- Coarsely chop the pecans.
- Pour half of the caramel sauce into 9×13 baking pan and spread the chopped pecans. Reserve the other half of caramel sauce to serve on the side.
- In a small dish, combine sugar and cinnamon for filling.
- Once the dough is doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out into a 15×20 rectangle.
- Pour melted butter all over the dough, and evenly sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Roll up the dough into a log, and cut into 20 1-inch rolls.
- Arrange the rolls in the prepared baking pan. Cover the pan with a foil and let it rise for 30-60 minutes, or refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Take the rolls out of refrigerator and place in warm place for about 30 minute. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
- As soon as you take the rolls out, cover it with flat cookie sheet and flip it over. (Be very careful as the baking pan is heavy and hot!!!) Let the baking dish sit over the rolls for couple minutes, so that caramel gets soaked into the rolls. Then remove the pan and serve with reserved caramel sauce. If needed, microwave the sauce until pourable.
Nutrition Facts:
This recipe was originally published on January 23rd, 2013.
Usha says
I don’t have instant or rapid yeast. Is it possible to use regular tadaco yeast.
Shinee says
Hi, Usha. My recipe calls for active dry yeast, not instant or rapid yeast. So if your regular tandaco yeast is dry one, then yes, you can use that just as per recipe.
Kara says
Is there a particular reason you use a minimal amount of yeast (per the amount of flour) and then subsidize with baking powder? Why not use all yeast? I’m planning to make these rolls this weekend. I don’t know if any recipes where both yeast and baking powder are used as leavening agents—curious why this is done.
Di says
My question is what is the purpose of the baking powder? It was asked before but unanswered. In Philadelphia we call these sticky buns ~ Thank you
Shinee says
Hi, Di! Thanks for asking. A very good question! You don’t need baking powder. The base of the recipe is from my mother-in-law, it’s quite common for old-fashioned recipes to call for both baking powder and yeast. But baking powder is absolutely unnecessary. I’ll update the recipe with this note.
LAUREN says
Could I pour all the caramel sauce into the pan before laying the rolls in the pan instead of reserving half the sauce to add at the end, or would this effect how the rolls bake?
Shinee says
Hi, Lauren. Yes, you can definitely pour all the sauce, it won’t affect the baking. Just be extra careful when flipping the rolls, as you may get lots of caramel sauce.
Lauren says
Do you use regular sugar in the filling instead of brown sugar? Going to make these next week for my husbands birthday!
Shinee says
Hi, Lauren. Yes, I use regular sugar in the filling. Hope you all will enjoy the rolls.
Kent from Minnesota says
The movie makes it child’s play to make a complicated recipe. Next teach us how to make baguettes.
Thanks.
Shinee says
Thank you, Kent! I’m glad the video is helpful. 🙂 I do have a great baguette recipe on the blog, but you’re right, I should a video for it too.
Whitney Bond says
These need to be in my life this weekend!!
Shinee says
Definitely! Perfect weekend treat. Thanks, Whitney, for stopping by!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Looks wonderful!
Shinee says
Thanks, Megan!
Essie says
These rolls look delicious. They remind me of the ones my grandmother used to make. As they were baking the house would smell wonderful. I would never have thought of making extra caramel sauce to add at the table. You have a very nice blog, Shinee.
Shinee says
Oh that smell is amazing, Essie! And extra caramel sauce is a must. We never have enough of it. 🙂 Thank you so much!