Dulce de Leche and Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
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on Aug 11, 2016, Updated Mar 26, 2024
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These sweet, buttery, rich, ooey-gooey, and kinda messy cinnamon rolls do not require a mixer making this recipe a very simple dessert to make. Ok, who am I kidding this recipe is not simple to make. It is time consuming because you need patience to allow the dough to rise. Being patient in the kitchen is not my strong suit, but after making these sticky buns oozing with dulce de leche and crunchy pecans, and hearing the squeals of delight from my children, the time in the kitchen was worth it, and I look forward to making them again.
Where I grew up in El Paso, Texas, it seemed that everyone had pecan trees in their backyard. I remember helping my grandma gather nuts that had fallen to the ground, and then help shell them for her to use in her delicious baked goods. It’s no wonder that pecans always remind me of home.
When setting out to create a twist on an American classic dessert, I turned to dulce de leche, which adds a decadent richness. Dulce de leche is a Latin caramel from heaven and very popular in Mexican desserts. Filled with an abundance of pecans and a hint of coffee in the glaze, this dessert combines my love of Mexican food and my hometown.
While these cinnamon rolls bake the Land O Lakes® Unsalted Butter and dulce de leche bubble and boil. These dulce de leche and pecan cinnamon rolls are so good hot from the oven when they’re gooey and warm. They are quite rich and taste delicious with a hot cup of coffee.
Speaking of Land O’Lakes – I recently traveled to New York and met some very passionate Land O’Lakes farmers, as well as talented influencers like the lovely Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman), and we also toured Food Network. It was pretty darn dreamy! If you follow me on instagram you saw a few photos. It was a wonderful experience and I will be sure to share more about my exciting adventures in a later post.
Dulce de Leche and Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups milk, recommend 2% reduced fat milk
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 stick
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 package dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 3/4 cup dulce de leche
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into ¼” pieces
Coffee Glaze:
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cup milk
- 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven heat the milk just until boiling point and remove from heat.
- Add butter until it melts completely and then add a tablespoon of sugar.
- Once mixture reaches room temperature sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 10 minutes. (Hot liquid will kill yeast.)
- In a bowl combine 4 cups of flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and add to wet mixture with a wooden spoon. Cover and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, uncover and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup flour.
- Spray the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle flour lightly on a countertop or large cutting board.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and with a rolling pin, flatten dough into a rectangle, about 14 x 20-inches. Feel free to trim excess. Spread the dulce de leche over dough leaving a 2-inch border on the top and bottom long edges. Next, sprinkle the dough with crushed pecans, as much cinnamon as you'd like, and butter pieces. Beginning at long side, roll dough up tightly. Pinch edge of dough into the roll to seal edge. Stretch and shape roll until even. Using a sharp knife, cut roll into 12 equal rolls, about 2-inch slices. Place slices in the pan. Let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes.
- Move the oven rack to the middle position of the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl, stir glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle desired amount of glaze over the hot rolls. Sprinkle with pecans and serve warm.
Notes
- These dulce de leche and pecan cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed hot from the oven when they’re gooey and warm. They are quite rich and taste delicious with a hot cup of coffee.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
A special thanks to Land O’Lakes for sponsoring this blog post. Opinions are my own. ADD A LITTLE GOOD is a trademark of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Thank you for supporting the brands that continue to make Muy Bueno possible.
It says to add sugar to the milk but it also says to add sugar to the dry ingredients. However in the list of ingredients it just says 1/3 cup sugar. How much sugar goes in the milk and how much goes in the rest?
Hi Kristina, thank you for catching that. I have edited recipe. You want to add a tablespoon of sugar in first step, and then add remaining sugar with dry ingredients.
It says to add sugar twice in the instructions. Can you clarify at which point are you supposed to add it?
What an awesome idea!
Where do you buy dulce de leche?
Hi Kelly,
I buy dulce de leche in a can in the baking aisle of my grocery store. A popular brand is La Lechera by Nestle. And if you are feeling ambitious you can even make your own in a slow cooker. Check it out: https://muybuenoblog.com/2013/12/diy-slow-cooker-dulce-de-leche/
As much as I love cinnamon rolls there must be a simpler recipe that does not have to go through the rising time, it is very time consuming. Does anyone have ideas? Or do I have to continue getting them at the bakery to make it easier.
I recommend you make the dough a day or night before and then it won’t be so bad. They are truly worth it. I have done that before Christmas morning.
I use my bread machine for mixing, kneading and doing the first rise. I feel like I’m “cheating” but I always get such good results! I bought a brand new one that was “used” off of the local paper for $60. It was still in the box and has made the entire process so much more enjoyable!
This combo sounds beyond amazing! Cinnamon rolls will always be one of my all time favorite breakfast treats and a dulce de leche pecan version sounds perfect. 🙂
Thank you! If you ever make them please let me know what you think.