• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×

Home » Recipes » Homemade Roll Recipes

Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnabon Icing

Published: Sep 2, 2014 Last Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Marye 880 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

Huge cinnamon rolls, stuffed with pecans and cinnamon sugar. Once they are baked to a golden brown you slather them with a rich,tangy cream cheese icing that is not too sweet - just right. These are not for everyday but special, once in awhile breakfasts and brunches!
Total time 2 hours 15 minutes
Jump to Recipe

What is it about cinnamon rolls? In fact, what is it about pecan cinnamon rolls in particular?

Pecan cinnamon rolls with gooey cinnabon icing|restlesschipotle.com

They are classic comfort food when done right but so much of the time we eat them half stale, purchased from a market. They do take a couple of hours to make but they are so delicious they are worth every minute. Yes, they are super high in calories and fat and carbs but you're not supposed to eat them every day. Save them for special times. 

I almost hated to give the nutritional information because I figure that it will scare some of you off. Make them at least once - you'll never want any other kind of cinnamon roll again. The dough is rich and just sweet enough, buttery and soft. It's rolled around a thick, spicy filling of cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans. Once they are baked and have a chance to cool a little you add the creamiest, tangy - sweet, gooey copycat Cinnabon icing you'll ever put in your mouth. Add it thick. In fact, you  might want to double the icing recipe.

If the pecan cinnamon rolls have cooled all the way it's best to warm them up for about 15 seconds in the microwave before you serve them. Once everyone has started to eat there will be a hushed, almost holy, silence. This is the moment to ask for anything you want - the dishes done, the house painted...

pecan cinnamon rolls with cream cheese cinnabon icing|restlesschipotle.com

Yep, they are that good - especially with a cup of Irish coffee!

I have so many recipes for cinnamon rolls but this is my favorite. It always makes people's eyes light up, the aroma in the kitchen is amazing, and I happen to think they are the best I have tasted. Try them for yourself. By the way... that is a large salad plate in the picture. These are huge. You can make them smaller and get 24 out of the recipe but somehow they are not as good that way.

By the way, if you love homemade sweet rolls you'll definitely want to try these cream cheese kolache!

gooey cinnabon icing for cinnamon rolls|restlesschipotle.com

Vanilla salt is a flaked sea salt with vanilla beans in it to give it a vanilla flavor. It is not essential  but it does make a difference.

You might also like these easy cheese danish that are done in 20 minutes. 

Large cinnamon roll on a plate.
4.60 from 10 votes

Humongous Pecan Cinnamon Rolls with Kicked-Up Cinnabon Icing

Print Save Go to Collections
Prevent your screen from going dark
Huge cinnamon rolls, stuffed with pecans and cinnamon sugar. Once they are baked to a golden brown you slather them with a rich,tangy cream cheese icing that is not too sweet - just right. These are not for everyday but special, once in awhile breakfasts and brunches!
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings:12 giant cinnamon rolls
Calories:1090
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm, (110F) water
  • 4 large eggs brought to room temperature
  • ¾ cup pure cane sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk, , warmed to about 100F
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, , melted and cooled
  • ⅓ cup vital wheat gluten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla salt, (or Kosher salt)
  • 7 ⅔ cup bread flour, ( you may need a little less or a little more)

Filling

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, , room temperature
  • 2 cups pure cane brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans
  • Pinch of vanilla salt, (or Kosher salt)

Icing

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter
  • Juice of ½ a fresh lemon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla salt
  • 3 cups (more or less) powdered sugar

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

Dough

  • Combine the yeast 1 teaspoon of the sugar and the water in the bowl of a stand mixer or Bosch and set aside for about 5 minutes.
  • Combine the sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.
  • Beat the eggs and add to the milk mixture.
  • Mix the salt and gluten with four cups of the flour.
  • Add the milk mixture to the yeast and mix on low for just a few seconds.
  • With the paddle attachment in place begin to add the flour and gluten mixture, beating on medium speed.
  • Add as much of the remaining flour as you need to make a soft dough.
  • Knead for about 7 minutes on medium speed.
  • Turn the dough out and knead briefly. It should feel like your earlobe if you pinch it.
  • Form the dough into a ball.
  • Grease a bowl, add the ball of dough, and grease the top.
  • Cover and put in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled (or more) in size.
  • Gently deflate dough and roll into a 12-inch by 24-inch rectangle.

Filling

  • Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Assembly

  • Spread dough with the softened butter
  • Sprinkle with a thick layer of cinnamon and sugar mixture.
  • Add the pecans and gently press them down. Do not mash them into the dough!
  • Roll the dough up like a jelly roll.
  • Cut into 12 cinnamon rolls.
  • Place on 2 well greased or silpat covered baking sheets. (wax paper sticks)
  • Let rise for about 40 minutes until doubled in size.
  • Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, or until done.
  • Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes at least.

Icing

  • Add the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice and vanilla to the bowl of your mixer.
  • Beat on high until the mixture looks well blended.
  • Turn mixer to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until the icing is soft and spreadable.
  • Add a thick layer to the cinnamon rolls.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

These freeze well without the frosting

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1090kcal | Carbohydrates: 146g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 81g | Vitamin A: 1367IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 2mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    If you liked Pecan Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnabon Icing you may also like...

    Easy, Overnight Pecan Sticky Buns Restless Chipotle

    Overnight Apple Chipotle Cinnamon Rolls Restless Chipotle

    More Homemade Yeast Rolls

    • Orange sweet rolls shaped like an Easter bunny with a pink tail.
      Easter Bunny Sweet Rolls
    • Finished rolls in a basket.
      Easy 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
    • Close up of the sweet rolls on a white plate.
      Crescent Roll Cream Cheese Danish
    • Overhead view of the pecan roll for the feature image.
      Overnight Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy P

      September 16, 2022 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      Amazon doesn't have the gluten anymore and doesn't know if they ever will. Is it totally needed?

      Reply
      • Marye

        September 16, 2022 at 10:51 am

        It makes them lighter but you can leave it out and use flour instead. Amazon has tons of gluten flour, though. Just do a search. https://amzn.to/3xtHQxd

    2. Terry

      May 30, 2022 at 9:59 am

      Hi Marye - hate to bother you on the eve of your trip - lucky you! - but there's NO nutrition/lack of lol info for these rolls.
      Would be great if you could add it.
      If they're close to 1000kcal/roll I'll just cut 'em in half - & eat the halves 10 minutes or so apart, so I don't look like a total glutton lol
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marye

        May 30, 2022 at 10:15 am

        Hi Terry - there was a gitch in the card... they are actually a touch over 1k calories but they are salad plate sized - you could actually cut them in fourths.

    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    Primary Sidebar

    Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

    Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

    NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

    More about me →

    🐰 Easter

    • Closeup of a finished roll for the feature image.
      Easy Easter Rolls
    • Easter chicks cookies in a dish.
      Nutter Butter Easter Chicks
    • Very close shot of pineapple casserole showing the texture of the cracker crumb topping.
      Southern Pineapple Casserole Recipe
    • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
      Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch

    👑 Reader Favorites

    • A marble plate displays a strawberry bundt cake with 2 slices cut to show the red cake color.
      Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe
    • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
      Crispy Fried Potatoes
    • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
      English Muffin Bread Recipe
    • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
      No Fail Amish White Bread

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Marye Audet-White
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

    Featured in:

    Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

    Contact Marye

    • Contact

    My new blog for bread bakers:

    Love baking bread? Click here to check out my new blog!

    Logo for breadcrumbs in the butter blog.
    Check out my new blog!

    Copyright ©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC