Pecan Pie Cinnamon Rolls

These pecan pie cinnamon rolls are super soft rolls with cinnamon pecan filling and pecan pie filling. They are topped with a cream cheese glaze. It is the perfect marriage of cinnamon buns and Thanksgiving dessert.

This post is sponsored by Wholesome and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Stephanie’s Sweet Treats possible!

I have been compensated by Wholesome Sweeteners, Inc., maker of Wholesome® sweeteners for my participation in this campaign.

These pecan pie cinnamon rolls are SO good and make an amazing breakfast or dessert. If you love gooey cinnamon rolls and pecan pie then you will want to eat this entire dish, because it is so good. It is irresistible!

These cinnamon rolls are made using Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Dark Brown Sugar. Wholesome has ingredients that matter. Using their Fair Trade and Organic products makes me feel good about my bakes because I know that it is sustainably sourced and high quality. Their dark brown sugar in particular has more molasses to give a deeper and richer flavor than light brown sugar which is perfect for that pecan pie flavor.

For more breakfast recipes, try Apple Cider Muffins, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, and Chocolate Glazed Donuts.

Jump to:

• Why This Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes for Pecan Pie Sweet Rolls
• Ingredient Substitutions
• Step By Step Instructions - Cinnamon Roll Dough
• Step By Step Instructions - Pecan Pie Filling and Cinnamon Pecan Filling
• Step By Step Instructions - Assembly and Baking
• Expert Baking Tips
• FAQ
• Recipe Variations
• Special Tools
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why This Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Works

• Pecan pie breakfast- These rolls are delicious because they bring your favorite Thanksgiving dessert to breakfast!
• Homemade cinnamon rolls- These homemade rolls have that soft and gooey cinnamon roll texture that makes the best cinnamon rolls so irresistible.
• Prep ahead- You can start these delicious cinnamon rolls the night before you want to eat them and finish the bake the next day! Just follow the overnight instructions for the dough rise.

Ingredient Notes for Pecan Pie Sweet Rolls

Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter- Pull the butter out 2 hours before using so it is softened butter.
• Milk- Use any milk and warm it to 110F. If too hot, it will kill the yeast, if too cool then it will dramatically slow the yeast down.
• Active dry yeast- I used 1 packet of yeast. This is the same thing as instant yeast. Do not use fast rise yeast.
• Eggs- Pull the eggs out 2 hours before baking. They also need to be lightly beaten before adding to the flour.
• Cane Sugar- This recipe was made using Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Cane Sugar.
• Brown sugar- I used Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Dark Brown Sugar, but light is fine.
• Confectioners sugar- I used Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Powdered Confectioners Sugar. Make sure to sift it before use.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
• Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.

Step By Step Instructions - Cinnamon Roll Dough

Here is how to make and bake the cinnamon roll dough for these pecan pie cinnamon rolls.

STEP 1: Activate yeast. Heat the milk in a microwave for about 1 minute until it is 110°F. Then, sprinkle the yeast on top of the warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes.

STEP 2: Knead in butter. Mix the all purpose flour, cane sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed butter and knead it in with a pastry kneader or your hands until the butter lumps are the size of a pea.

STEP 3: Form dough. Add the lightly beaten eggs and the milk and yeast mixture. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to mix it on low speed until a dough forms.

If you are kneading by hand see the recipe notes for hand kneading instructions then proceed to STEP 5.

STEP 4: Knead. Turn the mixer to medium speed and let it knead for 5 minutes.

STEP 5: First rise. If you are making this for overnight, place dough in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place it in the fridge overnight.

If you are making the rolls right away preheat the oven to 200°F. Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel. Next, place the bowl in the oven, turn it off, and leave the oven door cracked open. Let the dough rise for 1 hour.

Now is a good time to start the pecan pie filling as it will need to cool before using it.

Step By Step Instructions - Pecan Pie Filling and Cinnamon Pecan Filling

Here is how to make the pecan pie filling and cinnamon pecan filling for the pecan pie cinnamon rolls.

STEP 1: Heat pecan pie topping. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, heavy cream, and pecans.

STEP 2: Cook pie filling. Continue to heat the pecan mixture until it starts to bubble. Then, cook for 4-5 more minutes.

STEP 3: Chill pie filling. Pour the pecan pie filling into a bowl and chill it in the fridge.

STEP 4: Beat cinnamon pecan filling. Use a small bowl and a hand mixer to beat the butter on high speed until fluffy. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon, then beat it until smooth.

Step By Step Instructions - Assembly and Baking

Here is how to assemble and bake the pecan pie cinnamon rolls.

STEP 1: Roll dough. Roll the dough into a ¼ inch thick rectangle using a lightly floured surface and a rolling pin.

STEP 2: Spread filling. Use an offset spatula to spread the cinnamon filling over the dough up to the edges. Spread the pecan pie filling over top.

STEP 3: Roll log. Roll the dough into a log starting from the short side. Cut the uneven ends off with a serrated sharp knife or unflavored dental floss. Cut the log into 9 equal pieces.

STEP 4: Second rise. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with baking spray. Place the rolls in a single layer and cover it with a towel. Let the rolls rise for 20 minutes.

STEP 5: Bake. After the rise, pour heavy cream over the uncooked cinnamon rolls. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 27-29 minutes. The rolls are done when the top of the roll is golden brown.

STEP 6: Beat cream cheese and butter. Beat the cream cheese and the butter for the icing in a small bowl on high speed for 2 minutes.

STEP 7: Mix icing. Add the confectioners sugar and mix until it is smooth. Then, add the vanilla extract and milk. Mix again until smooth.

STEP 8: Top the rolls. Use a spoon to spread the icing over the rolls while they are still hot from the oven. Top them with chopped pecans.

Expert Baking Tips

• Properly measure your flour- Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup directly into the flour, it will compact the flour giving you too much flour.
• Make sure your yeast is fresh. If you use expired yeast or if you put it in too hot or too cold milk it will not activate properly preventing a proper rise.
• If you choose to roll your rolls immediately you can still chill them overnight. You then bake them in the morning the next morning.

FAQ

Recipe Variations

• Pecan topping on top- If you have trouble getting the pecan pie filling in the rolls without squeezing it out, or just prefer it on top, you can put it on top of the cream cheese icing.
• Cinnamon sugar topping- If you prefer a cinnamon sugar coating on top to a cream cheese frosting you can follow the topping instructions from these apple cider cinnamon rolls.

Special Tools

• Baking spray: I use the nonstick spray that has flour in it.
• Offset spatula: I use this to easily spread the frosting or fillings.
• 9X13 pan- I love using a casserole pan instead of a normal baking pan.
• Rolling pin- You can use any rolling pin you have!

Storing and Freezing

Store these pecan pie cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge. Store up to 5 days. They are best when heated in the microwave until warm.

These pecan pie cinnamon rolls can be frozen in 2 ways.

1. Freeze the rolled rolls. Freeze these up to 30 days. Let them thaw before baking. They won't rise as much, but will still work.
2. Freeze the already baked rolls. Freeze these up to 30 days. Thaw for 1 hour before eating.

Other Cinnamon Roll Recipes To Try

Try these fall recipes too!

• Reese's Cup Peanut Butter Cookies
• Pumpkin Caramel Cookies
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cherry Pie Bars

Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe