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Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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4 from 73 reviews

Deliciously soft and moist Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls combining the classic flavors of carrot cake and cinnamon rolls with a rich cream cheese icing. These rolls feature finely grated carrots mixed into a spiced dough, a cinnamon-sugar carrot filling drizzled with honey, and a creamy frosting, perfect for a special breakfast or dessert treat.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup Milk (warmed to 110°F)
  • 2 1/4 tsp Active dry yeast (a full packet)
  • 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup Finely grated carrots
  • 4 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground ginger
  • 10 TBSP Unsalted butter (room temperature, cubed)

Filling

  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup Brown sugar (packed light or dark)
  • 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup Finely grated carrots
  • Honey (for drizzling on top of filling)

Finishing

  • 1/3 cup Heavy cream (for pouring between rolls)

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 oz Cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 4 TBSP Unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Grate Carrots: Finely grate carrots using the fine side of a grater and set aside to use in the dough and filling.
  2. Activate Yeast: Warm milk to 110°F and pour into a bowl with active dry yeast and a small sprinkle of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast blooms and becomes foamy.
  3. Prepare Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Add yeast mixture, beaten eggs, grated carrots, and cubed butter.
  4. Knead Dough: Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix on low speed until dough begins to form. Increase to medium speed and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and slightly tacky.
  5. First Rise: Preheat oven to 200°F. Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray, place the dough inside, cover with a kitchen towel, and put in the warm oven with door cracked open. Let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  6. Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg on high speed for 2 minutes until fluffy.
  7. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
  8. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the prepared cinnamon-sugar butter mixture over the dough using an offset spatula.
  9. Add Carrots and Honey: Sprinkle the grated carrots evenly on top of the filling, then drizzle honey over the carrots.
  10. Shape Rolls: Starting from the short side, carefully roll the dough into a log. Trim off uneven ends and slice into 12 equal rolls using gentle sawing motions to avoid squishing.
  11. Second Rise: Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray and arrange rolls evenly inside. Cover with kitchen towel and let rise 20 minutes. Pour heavy cream evenly between rolls.
  12. Bake Rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F and bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until tops are lightly golden brown.
  13. Make Cream Cheese Icing: While rolls bake, beat cream cheese and butter on high speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing on medium until creamy.
  14. Ice Rolls: Once rolls are cooled enough to handle (no longer bubbling), dollop and spread cream cheese icing over each roll evenly.

Notes

  • For making dough by hand, knead for about 10-12 minutes until soft and slightly tacky.
  • Use finely grated carrots to keep the texture moist and tender; avoid pre-shredded carrots which tend to be dry and coarse.
  • Ensure milk temperature is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Use very gentle sawing motions when cutting the rolls to maintain their shape and fluffiness.
  • Let the rolls cool slightly before icing to prevent the frosting from melting too much.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/carrot-cake-cinnamon-rolls-with-cream-cheese-icing-recipe/