Best Grannys Caramel Cinnamon Rolls Recipes

PERFECT HOMEMADE CARAMEL ROLLS

Steps:

• In a measuring cup, mix together warm water, yeast, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Allow to rise for 5-10 minutes while you get started on the rest of the dough.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook pour the warm milk over the butter and to get it melting. Add in the eggs and sugar and mix.
• Once the yeast mixture has grown add it to the bowl of the stand mixer along with the salt and 3-4 cups of flour. Mix with the dough hook.
• Slowly add in the remaining flour until the dough comes together. It should be soft and not overly sticky. Knead for several minutes to bring it together.
• Put the dough in a large bowl coated in oil or cooking spray and let rise for 2-3 hours, or doubled in size.
• Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and allow it to rise for an additional 1-2 hours.
• After punching the dough down, start the caramel sauce. Add brown sugar and butter (plus optional cream) to a sauce pan and melt over low heat. You do not want this to boil!
• Stir the sauce continually until the sugar is completely dissolved. There will be butter remaining on the top of the sugar - do not add more sugar! The caramel sauce will become too thick if extra sugar is added.
• Pour the finished caramel sauce into two 9x13 glass pans. You can use metal pans but I've always had the best luck using glass. Allow the caramel to cool while you continue with the rolls.
• After the second rise, split the dough in half and on a floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle, about 6"x12". This doesn't need to be perfect, but you do want the dough to stay about 1/4" inch thick.
• Spread softened butter over the dough. I usually start with a few tablespoons up to half a stick for each half of the dough. You need enough butter for the filling to stick. Spread brown sugar and cinnamon over the butter. I usually use about 1/2-3/4 cup per half of the dough because we like them really full of filling, but you can cut back on this if you'd like.
• Starting at one side, roll the dough evenly and somewhat tight. Not too tight, or they won't have room to expand! You can pinch the end closed, but I never do and don't have an issue.
• Cut the log into even-sized rolls. I start by cutting it in the middle, lining the two sides up side by side, and cutting those in half, then each half into three rolls for a total of 12 rolls. You could cut them thinner if you want more small rolls. I've used both a bench scraper and a pizza cutter for slicing my rolls - both work fine.
• Place the rolls into one pan of caramel then repeat with the second half of dough into the second pan of caramel.
• Let the rolls rise on the counter for 30 minutes while your oven preheats to 350*. Make-ahead directions are below!
• Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are starting to brown.
• Remove from oven and place a large flat cookie sheet on the top of each pan. Very, very carefully flip the pan to invert the rolls on to the cookie sheet. This will allow the rolls to release from the pan and all the caramely goodness to ooze all over the rolls. This may or may not be one of my favorite steps ;) But be careful! That caramel is hot and can burn you.
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape out any lingering caramel. Let cool just long enough to be safe then enjoy! Rolls will last on the counter up to 3 days.
• Follow steps 1-14 above. Once you've put the rolls in the pans, cover and place in the fridge to rise overnight.
• Remove from the fridge and allow to rise on the counter for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350*. Continue following steps 16-18 above. Enjoy!

CARAMEL CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Sir in salt, shortening, and 1/2 cup sugar. Let cool until lukewarm, at least 10 minutes.
• Dissolve yeast in a bowl of 1/4 cup warm water. Pour into the milk mixture; add flour and eggs. Mix well; cover loosely with damp cloth and let dough rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Punch down dough. Cover and let rise again until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll into three 9x15-inch rectangles. Spread each rectangle with 2 tablespoons butter.
• Mix 3/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Sprinkle mixture equally over the 3 rectangles. Roll each rectangle tightly beginning at the long side. Cut into 9 equal slices, yielding 27 rolls total.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter, pecans, and corn syrup in a bowl. Sprinkle mixture equally into 3 baking pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until caramel is bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place 9 rolls in each pan. Let rise again until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• Bake in the hot oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Invert rolls onto another dish or aluminum foil immediately. Serve warm.

GRANDMA BONNIE'S CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add remaining sugar, 1/4 cup oil, egg, and salt; mix until combined. Scrape paddle attachment and switch to the dough hook. Mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough comes away from the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading for about 3 more minutes.
• Add a bit of oil on the dough and roll the dough in the bowl until all sides are coated. Cover with a towel and let rise until at least doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• Punch down the dough and transfer to a floured surface. Roll out into a rectangle. Pour melted butter onto the dough and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon to taste. Add pecans. Roll up lengthwise and cut into 12 rolls. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and let rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown in color, about 15 minutes.
• While the rolls are baking, combine powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla for topping. Add 1 tablespoon milk and mix to a pourable consistency, adding more if necessary.
• Remove rolls from the oven. Immediately pour topping over top and sprinkle with pecans.

CARAMEL CINNAMON SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add 1/2 cup of butter, 1 cup of the flour, 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, and the egg to the bowl. Beat for 2 minutes, then add the remaining 1 1/4 cups of flour and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape the batter from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place (about 85°F) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured counter. Roll into a 9 x 12-inch rectangle. Gently spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter on the dough. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar; sprinkle onto the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the dough. Roll the dough up like a jelly roll, starting from the larger side. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces.
• Place the rolls in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish that has been greased with the other tablespoon of softened butter, tucking the loose ends of the dough under each roll so they'll hold together when baked. Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place (about 85°F) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes, or until light golden brown. Brush the hot caramel sauce on the rolls while still hot.
• Caramel Sauce
• In a large pot set over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and honey. Bring to a boil, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring once or twice (watch carefully to avoid scorching). Remove the pot from the heat and swirl in the cream until it is fully incorporated. Be very careful when adding the cream because the mixture will bubble up.
• note
• Sandy's Granny Haley made the best cinnamon rolls in the world. It seemed so effortless and magical to her grandkids. The smell the cinnamon wafting through the house stopped people in their tracks. As Sandy grew older and really began to appreciate the lessons given her by her family, she started taking note when Granny would cook. Unfortunately for Sandy, one of her biggest regrets was not getting the exact measurements for the cinnamon rolls. When Sandy graduated from culinary school, one of the first tasks given to her by her mother was to re-create Granny's cinnamon rolls. Sandy was able to locate an old hand-written recipe card with the general method, but the problem was that the recipe said things like a "drop" of this and a "handful" of that. Sandy has worked diligently on these cinnamon rolls. She feels like hers have gotten really close to Granny's, but she thinks Granny's hands must have been much smaller. Her laughter and tiny hands are missed.

NANA'S CARAMEL CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• Sprinkle brown sugar in greased 9x13-inch pan. Pour over whipping cream, set aside.
• In large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add water, egg, and melted butter; beat at low speed until moistened.
• By hand, stir in 1 1/2- 2 cups flour. Knead 3 minutes; let rest 10 minutes.
• Roll dough to a 7x15-inch rectangle. Spread with butter; sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up tightly and seal edges. Cut into 1-inch rolls.
• Place in prepared pan. Cover and let rise until doubled.
• Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.
• Invert onto serving plate.

CARAMEL CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until steaming. Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Combine the milk, shortening, granulated sugar, salt and eggs in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Add the yeast mixture and mix until combined. Stir in the flour to form a soft dough. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the caramel: Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil; cook until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the heavy cream; whisk until combined and slightly cooled. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet; spread the caramel on the baking sheet and let cool completely.
• Make the filling: Mix the brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon in a bowl. Punch down the dough and roll out into a 12-by-24-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the filling on the dough and roll up, starting at a long side. Cut into 1-inch pieces and arrange cut-side up on the caramel. Cover loosely and let sit at room temperature until puffed, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Uncover the rolls and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. (Put a baking sheet on the lower oven rack to catch any drips.) Let cool slightly on the baking sheet, then invert onto a large cutting board or platter.

CARAMEL-PECAN CINNAMON ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the eggs, butter, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Boil over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside., Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 17x15-in. rectangle. Spread butter to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal., Cut into 15 slices. Place cut side down over caramel sauce. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 350° until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; invert onto a serving platter.