How To Make Gooey Toffee Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
What’s better than the smell of homemade toffee pecan cinnamon rolls baking in your kitchen? These gooey cinnamon rolls are soft, sweet, and perfect for Christmas morning or any holiday brunch.
Toffee Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: Sourdough Discard Recipe
Equipment
- measuring bowls and spoons
- large mixing bowl
- dental floss (for cutting rolls)
- Rolling Pin
- medium sauce pan
Ingredients
Roll Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1½ tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup sourdough discard
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup honey
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 ¼ tbsp. cinnamon
Toffee Pecan Topping
- 1 stick butter
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients: Mix together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Add the wet ingredients: Mix in the sourdough discard, water, melted butter, and honey. Mix until well blended.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 5 times.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Mix the Filling Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Set aside.
Step 3: Roll and Assemble
- Roll Out the Dough: Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out in to a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Add the filling: Spread the softened filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
- Roll It Up: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Cut the Rolls: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the log into 1-2 inch thick pieces. Place the rolls in a greased dish.
Step 4: Bake the Rolls
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°.
- Bake: Bake for 18 minutes, or until the tops are barely brown.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cinnamon rolls for the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
Toffee Pecan Sauce
- Bring 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup dark corn syrup, 1/4 cups heavy cream, and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Reduce the head to medium low and simmer for 8-12 minutes.
- Add in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir continually.
- Let the sauce cool for just a couple of minutes to finish thickening and then pour over baked rolls.
Personal Thoughts
I have a great recipe for cinnamon rolls using instant yeast if you don’t have sourdough discard. Just make the cinnamon rolls with active dry yeast and then make the sticky toffee pecan sauce to pour on top of the baked rolls.
I’ve combined a tangy sourdough discard dough with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture and topped it all with a sticky toffee pecan sauce. Trust me—this one’s going to be a keeper in your recipe box! I am a lover of all cinnamon rolls- canned cinnamon rolls, regular yeast cinnamon rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, cranberry-orange cinnamon rolls, and the list goes on and on.
The Dough: Toffee Pecan Caramel Rolls
To make this caramel pecan cinnamon roll recipe, you’ll need a large mixing bowl and just a few pantry staples:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sourdough discard
1 cup water
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup honey
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring until a soft dough forms. Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle shape.
The Filling: Classic Cinnamon Sugar Perfection
Here’s what you’ll need for the cinnamon sugar mixture:
1 stick softened butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Spread the butter evenly over the rolled-out dough using a rolling pin to keep the dough smooth and even. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon generously over the top of the dough. Roll up the dough tightly and slice into rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss. Arrange the sliced rolls in a greased baking dish. You can use a 9 x 13-inch pan or two smaller 9-inch pans.
Sticky Toffee Pecan Sauce: The Game-Changer
The real magic is in the sticky toffee pecan sauce. It transforms these rolls into gooey cinnamon rolls that are impossible to resist.
You’ll need:
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
How to Make It: Caramel-y Perfection
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
2. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 8–12 minutes until thickened.
3. Stir in the chopped toasted pecans and cook for 1–2 minutes, making sure they’re fully coated.
4. Let the caramel mixture cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
Pour the sticky toffee pecan sauce over the baked caramel pecan rolls for that perfectly caramelized topping. This gooey caramel sauce takes the place of cinnamon roll icing.
Bake and Serve Your Gooey Cinnamon Roll Dough
Bake the rolls at 375° for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Let them cool slightly, but not too long—you want to enjoy these sweet rolls while they’re warm and gooey.
Storing and Tips for Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
These caramel pecan cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, though I doubt they’ll last that long! For make-ahead convenience, you can prep the dough and filling the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and bake fresh in the morning.
A Great Idea for Holidays: Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns
These rolls are perfect for the holiday season or Christmas morning. Whether you’re hosting family brunch or looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with coffee, these cinnamon rolls are a showstopper. They’re also a great idea for gifting—wrap them in a cute box or dish, and they’ll make anyone’s day brighter.
If you try these, let me know how they turn out for you! Baking with sourdough discard is such a fun way to use every last bit, and these caramel pecan cinnamon rolls prove just how delicious it can be.
With love,
Anna Sue
