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Soft Carrot Cake Rolls

Featured in Sweet Treats for Every Occasion.

Classic carrot cake flavors meet tender cinnamon rolls. Carrots, spices, and brown sugar fill the rolls, topped with sweet cream cheese frosting.
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Seram Rezepte
Updated on Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:54:03 GMT
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Fluffy Cinnamon Carrot Rolls | recipesbytina.com

Start your day differently with these decadent carrot cake style cinnamon rolls, blending standard sweet dough with the cozy, spiced notes of traditional carrot cake. After trying dozens of versions to get this unique combo just right, I found that mixing freshly shredded carrots with brown sugar cinnamon stuffing creates an amazing flavor fusion that takes regular breakfast buns to a whole new level.

I came up with these rolls during Easter when I wanted something extra nice for our family get-together. Seeing my grandkids' eyes widen as they bit into breakfast rolls that tasted like their favorite cake made all those test batches totally worth it.

Key Ingredients

  • Pure vanilla extract: Boosts the overall taste profile
  • Active dry yeast: New yeast helps dough rise properly
  • Ground cinnamon: Adds that classic roll spice
  • Warm milk: Gets the yeast working right
  • All purpose flour: Makes for soft, tender roll texture
  • Fresh carrots: Grated by hand for just the right moisture
  • Cream cheese: Needed for that real carrot cake taste
  • Brown sugar: Gives deep caramel notes

I've learned over many years of baking that carrots you grate yourself make a huge difference. The pre-shredded stuff from the store just can't match the gentle texture and natural sweetness you get from grating them yourself.

Roll-Making Steps

Final Shaping:
Tightly roll the dough into a cylinder, cut into equal pieces, and place them in your greased baking dish.
Filling Creation:
Mix together brown sugar with hand-grated carrots, butter, and warm spices. Spread it all over your rolled-out dough.
Flour Integration:
Slowly add in your flour mix, kneading until the dough feels soft and stretchy. Let it sit in a warm spot until it doubles up.
Dough Preparation:
Mix properly warmed milk with yeast and wait until it gets foamy and smells yeasty. Stir in soft butter, eggs, and sugar until everything looks smooth.
Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Pin it
Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe | recipesbytina.com

After many attempts to perfect these rolls, I found out that letting them sit overnight in the fridge after filling them really makes the flavor pop. My daughter didn't think carrots belonged in breakfast rolls at first, but now she asks for these whenever we celebrate anything, and always wants extra cream cheese frosting.

Breakfast Delight

Enjoy these warm rolls with some fresh fruit and hot coffee to start your day. When I'm hosting a fancy brunch, I set up a spread with different toppings like toasted nuts, more cream cheese frosting, and warm caramel sauce. Everyone rushes to the table when they smell these baking.

Fun Variations

Make your rolls even better by throwing in some crushed pineapple for a tropical sweetness. You might want to try adding chopped pecans or walnuts for some crunch. Several family members like golden raisins mixed into the filling, while others go for dried cranberries to get that tart kick. In autumn, I sometimes toss in finely chopped apples to the filling.

Keeping Them Fresh

Keep rolls without frosting in a sealed container at room temp for up to two days. Store the cream cheese frosting in your fridge, and let it warm up before using. If you need to save them longer, freeze unfrosted rolls for up to three months, then thaw them in the fridge overnight before warming and adding frosting.

Best Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Pin it
Best Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe | recipesbytina.com

These carrot cake rolls aren't just another recipe in my book. They stand for precious family times, from lazy holiday mornings to special brunches. Whenever I make them, I'm reminded that the greatest recipes mix creativity with tradition, building new memories while paying tribute to classic flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these a day ahead?
Absolutely! Put them in the fridge overnight, tightly covered. Let them warm to room temp before baking.
→ Why didn’t my dough rise?
Temperature matters—use warm water (like a comfy bath at 100-110°F). Cold water won’t work, and hot water’ll kill the yeast. Fresh yeast is key, too.
→ Are they freezable?
Yep, freeze before or after baking, even with frosting. Just wrap tightly, and they’re good up to 2 months.
→ How can I tell they’re baked?
They’ll be golden brown on top after 20-25 minutes at 350°F. Gently press the center to make sure it’s set.
→ Do I need to refrigerate them?
Yes, because of the frosting, keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm them up a bit before eating.

Carrot Cake Rolls

Soft cinnamon rolls with a fun carrot cake vibe, packed with sweet brown sugar, shredded carrots, and crowned with smooth cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
120 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
150 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough Base

01 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 large egg
03 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
04 ¾ cup warm water (about 100-110°F)
05 ⅓ cup vegetable oil
06 ¼ cup granulated sugar
07 ½ teaspoon salt

→ Carrot Filling

08 ½ cup grated carrots (roughly 2 medium-sized carrots)
09 ½ cup packed brown sugar
10 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
11 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
12 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter

→ Cream Cheese Icing

13 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
15 2 tablespoons softened butter
16 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Step 01

Stir together hot water (like a cozy bath, around 100-110°F), sugar, yeast, and salt in a measuring cup. Leave it alone for about 5 minutes till you see foam on top.

Step 02

Grab your stand mixer with a dough hook. Mix the bubbly yeast mixture, egg, oil, and 1 cup of the flour. Slowly, add 1½ more cups of flour while mixing. Keep going until it feels stretchy and soft—about 5-10 minutes.

Step 03

Sprinkle some flour on your counter and knead the dough until it smooths out. Put it in a greased bowl and let it double in size. Warm places speed this up!

Step 04

Toss grated carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger together in a bowl. Get a 9x13-inch pan ready by greasing it.

Step 05

Flatten the dough into a rectangle (12x15 inches). Spread the butter over it, then sprinkle the carrot filling all over. Roll it up (the long way), and slice into 1-inch pieces. Arrange slices in the pan so they’re close but not squished.

Step 06

You’ve got options: Let the rolls puff up (20-30 minutes), then bake, OR cover and keep them in the fridge overnight (bring to room temp before baking). Bake them at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes.

Step 07

Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar bit by bit, then mix in the vanilla. Keep beating until creamy. Spread over the rolls when warm, or after cooling.

Notes

  1. You can chill these overnight and bake them the next day.
  2. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  3. Feel free to freeze them; they freeze great before or after baking, even frosted!

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Stand mixer with a dough hook
  • Measuring dry and wet cups/spoons
  • Rolling pin

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (butter, cream cheese)
  • Has gluten (flour)
  • Eggs are used

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 346
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 49 g
  • Protein: 4 g