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A half of cinnamon roll with brown sugar and pecan filling and cream cheese frosting served on a small round plate, crushed pecans are lying around.

Cinnamon rolls

This easy cinnamon rolls recipe with pecans and cream cheese frosting is perfect for a big gathering of family and friends. Fluffy, soft dough with a sweet, buttery filling that’s filled with cinnamon flavor and crunchy pecans nuts - a dessert to die for!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Proofing: 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 503kcal
Author: Anna

Equipment

  • 9" by 13" (22cm by 33cm) deep pan
  • Stand mixer
  • Digital kitchen scale

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 540 g all-purpose flour more if needed + flour for dusting
  • 7 g active dry yeast
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 250 g whole milk lukewarm
  • 80 g white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 80 g unsalted butter melted and cooled down
  • 2 medium eggs at room temperature

For the filling

  • 80 g unsalted butter softened
  • 80 g white granulated sugar
  • 80 g dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 50 g pecans roughly chopped

For the frosting

  • 200 g cream cheese at room temperature
  • 50 g powdered sugar
  • 50 g unsalted butter at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoon whole milk add if you prefer runny cinnamon roll filling

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a bowl large enough to fit all dough ingredients) combine ½ cup flour and the yeast, sugar, salt, ground nutmeg, and lukewarm milk.
  • Add the melted, room temperature butter and eggs and whisk again until the mixture has a homogenous consistency.
  • Place the bowl into a stand mixer fitted with a hook attachment (read how to make the dough by hand in the notes section at the bottom of the recipe card). Add the rest of the flour ⅓ cup at a time while the mixer runs on low.
  • When all the flour has been added, increase the speed to medium and knead the dough for 10 minutes, or until the dough starts pulling off from the sides of the bowl but is still sticking to the bottom. It should also be a little bit sticky if you press it with your fingers. If this doesn’t happen and the dough is still too thin, add 1 tablespoon of flour and keep kneading for a minute. Repeat several times if needed.
  • Finish kneading the dough by hand on a surface dusted with flour until it doesn’t stick to your hands and is elastic and very soft.
  • Grease the bowl with a little bit of oil and place the dough ball in it. Cover with a kitchen towel and leave to proof for an hour, or until it has doubled in size in a warm place (I use the oven with the light turned on for that).
  • While proofing, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl and take the butter from the fridge to soften.
  • When the dough has risen, punch it down and remove it from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle the top with flour and roll it into 13" by 20" (33cm by 50cm) rectangle.
  • Spread the soft butter over the surface, leaving ½ inch at one long end of the rectangle untouched. Sprinkle with the prepared sugar and cinnamon mixture and press gently.
  • Roll up lengthwise, starting with the end that is covered with filling, so you have one big log. Take the end of the rectangle that is not covered with the sugar filling and pinch it into the rest of the log to form a seam. Roll the log so the seam is on the bottom.
  • Cut the log into 12 even slices using a sharp knife or dental floss. Place them into a 9" by 13" (22cm by 33cm) deep pan greased with butter and cover with a kitchen towel for 30-40 minutes to proof.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 355F (180C).
  • Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top and risen. Remove from the oven and let cool down.
  • While the rolls are cooling down, place all the frosting ingredients into a bowl and whisk until homogenous in consistency. If you want your frosting runnier, you can add 1-2 tablespoon of whole milk.
  • Frost the slightly warm rolls and serve.

Notes

If working by hand, add flour ⅓ cup at a time and mix with a wooden spoon. When the dough is too thick for a spoon, start mixing with your hands. Keep mixing until the dough pulls off from the sides of the bowl (can take up to 5 minutes) but still sticks to your hands and the bottom a bit. If this doesn’t happen, add one tablespoon of flour and mix again. Then, transfer the dough onto a working surface dusted with flour and knead the dough, adding a little bit more flour if needed until it doesn’t stick to your hands anymore. The dough should be homogenous, elastic, and soft.
Store unfrosted cinnamon rolls right in the baking dish covered with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. If frosted, they should be stored in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days. When out of the fridge, warm the rolls in a microwave just for 5-10 seconds to soften them up.
 
 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Cinnamon rolls
Serving Size
 
1 roll
Amount per Serving
Calories
503
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Cholesterol
 
84
mg
28
%
Sodium
 
288
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
150
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
62
g
21
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
26
g
29
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
739
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
67
mg
7
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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