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Caramel Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls 27.png

Caramel Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

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🥨 These caramel gingerbread cinnamon rolls combine the warm spices of gingerbread with classic cinnamon roll pastry and rich caramel sauce for an unforgettable fusion dessert.
🍪 Perfect for holiday breakfasts or special occasions, these rolls offer the perfect balance of soft dough, spiced filling, sweet caramel drizzle, and creamy frosting in every bite.

  • Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls

Ingredients

– 1 ⅔ cups lukewarm milk provides moisture and helps activate the yeast, leading to a soft, fluffy dough

– 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast essential for rising the dough, giving those caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll their light, airy structure

– 2 teaspoons + ¼ cup granulated sugar adds sweetness and feeds the yeast; the extra amount enhances the caramel notes in the roll

– ¼ cup molasses brings deep, rich flavor and moisture, defining the gingerbread essence in these cinnamon roll

– 3 large eggs help bind the dough and add richness, making the rolls tender and flavorful

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract infuses a warm, aromatic note that complements the spices in caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll

– 5 ¾ cups bread flour forms the dough’s structure, ensuring it’s strong enough to hold the filling without falling apart

– 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger delivers the signature zing and warmth, boosting the health benefits of these spiced rolls

– 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon key for that classic cinnamon roll taste, blending seamlessly with ginger for a cozy flavor

– ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg adds a subtle nutty spice that enhances the overall depth in caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll

– ¼ teaspoon ground cloves provides a hint of earthiness, rounding out the spice mix for a more complex profile

– ¼ teaspoon allspice offers extra warmth if you want to amp up the gingerbread vibes in your rolls

– ½ cup unsalted butter contributes to the dough’s tenderness and richness, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth

– 2 ¼ teaspoons salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in these caramel gingerbread cinnamon rolls

– ½ cup heavy whip cream creates a gooey center when baked, adding extra indulgence to the rolls

– 1 cup granulated sugar forms the base of the salted caramel sauce, turning simple sugar into a glossy, sweet topping

– ¼ cup water helps dissolve the sugar for the caramel, ensuring a smooth sauce without any graininess

– 3 tablespoons light corn syrup prevents crystallization in the caramel, leading to a perfect, pourable consistency

– 1 cup heavy cream adds creaminess to the caramel sauce, making it rich and ready to drizzle over your rolls

– 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract boosts the caramel’s flavor, adding a vanilla undertone that ties everything together

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt gives the caramel a savory edge, balancing the sweetness in these caramel gingerbread cinnamon rolls

– 1 cup packed brown sugar sweetens the filling and provides a chewy texture that pairs beautifully with the spices

– 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon intensifies the filling’s warmth, making it the heart of these cinnamon roll

– ¾ cup unsalted butter spreads easily in the filling, adding buttery goodness to every layer

– 3 tablespoons molasses deepens the gingerbread flavor in the filling, creating a sticky, irresistible mix

– 2 teaspoons ground ginger adds extra spice to the filling, enhancing the overall gingerbread theme

– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg complements the other spices in the filling for a well-rounded taste

– 4 oz cream cheese forms the base of the frosting, giving it a tangy creaminess

– ½ cup unsalted butter mixes into the frosting for a smooth, rich finish on your rolls

– 3 cups powdered sugar sweetens the frosting perfectly, creating that classic glaze

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract adds flavor depth to the frosting, making it irresistible

– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon infuses the frosting with spice, tying back to the caramel gingerbread cinnamon rolls

– 1 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream adjusts the frosting’s consistency for easy spreading

– Pinch of salt enhances the frosting’s taste without overpowering it

Instructions

1-First Step: Start by activating the yeast in a bowl with 1 ⅔ cups lukewarm milk, 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast, and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; let it rest for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, ensuring your caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll has a good rise.

2-Second Step: Add ¼ cup molasses, the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar, 3 large room-temperature eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the yeast mixture, stirring until combined for a flavorful base.

3-Third Step: Mix in 5 ¾ cups bread flour, 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon allspice if using, ½ cup softened unsalted butter, and 2 ¼ teaspoons salt; knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.

4-Fourth Step: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup water, and 3 tablespoons light corn syrup; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns amber, which takes 5 to 10 minutes, creating the glossy sauce for your caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll.

5-Fifth Step: Warm 1 cup heavy cream in another pan, then slowly whisk it into the amber sugar mixture; remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, then let it cool for the perfect drizzle.

6-Sixth Step: In a bowl, cream together 1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, ¾ cup room-temperature unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons molasses, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg until smooth, ready to spread on the dough.

7-Seventh Step: Roll the chilled dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle on a floured surface; spread the filling evenly over it, then slice into 12 strips about 1 ⅓ inches wide and roll each into tight spirals, sealing the seams carefully.

8-Eighth Step: Place the rolls seam-side down in a baking dish and let them proof for 45 to 60 minutes until nearly doubled in size, adapting this for dietary preferences by using gluten-free flour if needed.

9-Ninth Step: Preheat your oven to 375°F, then pour ½ cup warm heavy whip cream over the proofed rolls before baking for 10 minutes; reduce the temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 30 to 35 minutes until deep golden, watching for even cooking.

10-Tenth Step: For the frosting, brown ½ cup unsalted butter in a pan until golden, then cool it completely; beat 4 oz softened cream cheese with the cooled butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, gradually adding 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream as needed, plus a pinch of salt for balance.

11-Final Step: Once the rolls cool for 20 minutes, frost them generously and drizzle with the warm salted caramel sauce; serve immediately for the best taste, and consider making extras for freezing if you’re prepping for busy weeks. This process, with about 45 minutes of active time and a total of 10 to 11 hours including chilling and proofing, results in irresistible caramel gingerbread cinnamon roll that everyone will love. For more baking inspiration, visit a resource on ginger’s benefits to understand why it’s a star ingredient.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌡 Use lukewarm (not hot) milk to activate yeast – hot water can kill the yeast and prevent proper rising.
🍪 Roll spirals very tightly and pinch seams well to prevent filling from leaking during baking and proofing.
🍯 Brown butter carefully until just golden – over-browning will make it bitter and affect the frosting flavor.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 9 hours
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Regular

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 32
  • Sodium: 280
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 14
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 68
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 8
  • Cholesterol: 85