Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing (video)

If you love carrot cake and cinnamon rolls, you must try these incredible carrot cake cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing! These cinnamon rolls are super soft and fluffy, filled with cinnamon brown sugar, grated sweet carrots, and crunchy pecans. The cream cheese icing on the top puts these over the top – literally! Every bite is packed with incredible flavors, and you’ll love the soft texture! Enjoy these for Easter, Mother’s Day brunch, or just because!

Watch My Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube carrot cake cinnamon rolls video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and watch me make these rolls in my kitchen! Want to stay up to date on my newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel for notifications.

Ingredients for Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

Here are my tips for the main ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious carrot cake cinnamon rolls at home. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

• All-Purpose Flour – regular flour or bread flour work best for this recipe. I don’t recommend using gluten-free flour for this specific recipe.
• Brown Sugar – a must for making that iconic cinnamon roll filling!
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg – I love having both in my cinnamon rolls recipe, but if you prefer, you can omit the nutmeg.
• Unsalted Butter – always use unsalted butter for baking recipes. This gives you more control over the salt content in the recipe.
• Carrots – raw, freshly grated carrots work best for this recipe.
• Nuts – I used pecans in my video tutorial; however, this recipe works well with just about any variety of nuts – walnuts, pistachios, and almonds are all great options.
• Cream Cheese – soften the cheese at room temperature while preparing the rolls.
• Half and Half – used for pouring over the rolls. You can also use full cream or whole milk.

Preparing the Soft Yeast Dough Using Instant Yeast

These carrot cake cinnamon rolls are made with soft and fluffy yeast dough. This is my go-to recipe for yeast dough when it comes to making cinnamon rolls!

Follow these instructions for using instant yeast.

1. For the best results, the milk should be at room temperature or lukewarm. Pour it into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast over the top.
2. Add the salt, vanilla extract, melted butter, eggs, and sugar. Whisk everything together for a few minutes, until the eggs are well-beaten.
3. Gradually begin adding the flour, about ½ cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once the batter thickens, switch to a spatula.
4. Once the dough pulls together into a ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Continue to add the remaining flour, kneading the dough.
5. Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for 4 to 6 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
6. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes before rolling.

Preparing the Soft Yeast Dough Using Regular Yeast

This cinnamon roll dough recipe works great with regular yeast, too. Follow these instructions for using regular yeast.

1. Warm the milk in the microwave or on the stove top until it reaches 120°F. Pour it into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let this stand for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
2. Add the salt, vanilla extract, melted butter, eggs, and sugar. Whisk everything together for a few minutes, until the eggs are well-beaten.
3. Gradually begin adding the flour, about ½ cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once the batter thickens, switch to a spatula.
4. Once the dough pulls together into a ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Continue to add the remaining flour, kneading the dough.
5. Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for 4 to 6 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and place the dough into a warm corner of the kitchen, away from cold drafts.
7. Allow the dough to proof for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size. Once the dough has proofed, punch it down gently before rolling.

Rolling the Dough & Adding the Cinnamon Roll Fillings

Once your dough has rested (or proofed), it’s time to shape these carrot cake cinnamon rolls!

1. Butter the bottom and sides of 9×13-inch casserole dish with unsalted butter.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Gently shape the dough into a rectangle, then roll out the dough into a 20×25-inch rectangle.
3. Make sure the butter for the filling is super soft and spreadable. Use an off-set spatula to spread the butter evenly to the edges.
4. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over the butter, then use your hands to spread it evenly.
5. Next, sprinkle the grated carrots evenly over the brown sugar, followed by the finely diced nuts.

Shaping & Proofing the Rolls

1. Gently roll the sheet of dough into a tight log, starting at the long end. Pinch the end to create a seam, then shape the dough into an even log.
2. Use a sharp knife to first score the log into 12 pieces, then carefully slice through the fillings.
3. Carefully transfer the rolls into your buttered casserole dish, spacing them apart evenly.
4. Place the casserole tray of rolls into a warm corner of the kitchen and allow the rolls to proof until doubled in size; about 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Baking Instructions for Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

1. While the rolls are proofing, preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Once the rolls are proofed, bake them at 350°F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the half-and-half or cream until warm, around 120°F.
3. Remove the rolls from the oven and pour the ¾ cup of half-and-half or cream over the rolls.
4. Place the rolls back into the oven and continue to bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the rolls are a deep, golden-brown color on top.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls Instructions

Want to prepare these cinnamon rolls ahead of time and have them ready for breakfast the next day? It’s easy and a great way to save time!

1. To prepare overnight cinnamon rolls, follow the recipe as written, shaping the rolls and placing them into a casserole dish.
2. Cover the casserole and refrigerate the rolls overnight.
3. The next morning, remove them from the fridge and allow the rolls to proof at room temperature for about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Try keeping them next to a warm stove for faster proofing.
4. Continue to bake the rolls following my regular instructions.

Easy Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls

These carrot cake cinnamon rolls wouldn’t be the same without a creamy cream cheese icing to top them off! It’s super easy to make, and I usually double the recipe for extras!

1. Place softened cream cheese into a mixing bowl and add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla.
2. Using a hand mixer, beat the cheese and sugar together at a slow speed until the sugar is incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and mix for a few minutes, until the icing is creamy and smooth.

Serving & Storage Suggestions for Cinnamon Rolls

Add the cream cheese icing to the cinnamon rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. This will allow the icing to melt and sink into the rolls. Save some icing for serving, if desired.

Garnish the cinnamon rolls with finely diced nuts, if desired. Slice and enjoy warm!

Store iced cinnamon rolls covered and refrigerated. For best results, reheat the rolls in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds prior to enjoying.

More Recipes to Try!

Enjoyed these delicious cinnamon rolls recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• Classic Cinnamon Rolls – my original recipe is always the biggest hit! Hands down, the best cinnamon rolls ever!
• Pistachio Carrot Cake – a decadent carrot cake with pistachios, carrots, and cream cheese frosting!
• Pistachio Carrot Cake Bread – an easy dessert bread recipe for carrot cake lovers!
• Lemon Poppy Seed Rolls – another great option for spring holidays! Delicate lemon rolls with poppy seed filling and cream cheese icing!
• Almond Cream Rolls – if you love almonds, you’ll love these cinnamon rolls filled with almond paste, topped with icing!

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