There is nothing quite like the warm, gooey delight of the Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe to bring a smile to anyone’s face. These rolls perfectly blend the flaky, buttery crescent dough with a luscious caramel sauce that bubbles up as they bake, creating pockets of sweet, nutty goodness. Whether you need a show-stopping brunch treat or a cozy dessert to share, this recipe’s irresistibly caramelized exterior and soft, cinnamon-spiced interior guarantee pure comfort in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple yet essential ingredients come together to create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, from the rich caramel sauce to the flaky rolls and warm cinnamon swirl.
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided and softened: Provides that rich, luscious flavor and helps the caramel sauce develop a silky texture.
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar: The star sweetener that turns into a beautiful caramel when baked with butter and water.
- ¼ cup water: Helps dissolve the sugar into a sticky sauce that coats every roll.
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional): Adds a delightful crunch and nutty depth that contrasts the sweet softness.
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls: The convenient and flaky dough that forms the perfect vessels for caramel and cinnamon.
- ¼ cup sugar: Used with cinnamon to create that classic sweet-spicy coating inside the rolls.
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon: Infuses warm spice that brightens the caramel and butter flavors beautifully.
How to Make Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Caramel Base
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Place an ungreased 9×13-inch baking pan in the oven and add 5 tablespoons of butter to melt directly in the pan. This step ensures your caramel base is hot and ready to bubble as soon as the sugar and water join it.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce
Once the butter has melted, carefully remove the pan from the oven and stir in ¾ cup of brown sugar, the ¼ cup of water, and the chopped pecans if you’re using them. This mixture will begin to thicken into a sticky, golden caramel that makes these rolls unforgettable, with pecans adding a lovely crunch.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Open your cans of crescent rolls and separate each into 4 rectangles—pinching along the perforations to seal any holes so the caramel doesn’t leak out. This extra step helps keep the gooey syrup inside, making each bite perfectly luscious.
Step 4: Butter and Spice the Dough
Spread the remaining 3 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each rectangle. In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup of brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon, then sprinkle this fragrant mix generously over the buttered rectangles. This is where the cinnamon sugar magic happens, creating a sweet, spicy swirl inside each caramel roll.
Step 5: Roll and Slice
Starting on the shorter end of each rectangle, roll the dough tightly into a log. Then, using a sharp knife, slice each roll into 4 even pieces—this yields a total of 32 delightful rolls packed with cinnamon sugar and butter.
Step 6: Arrange and Bake
Place each roll cut side down onto the prepared baking pan, nestling them right into the bubbling caramel sauce. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rolls are beautifully golden brown and the caramel is thick and bubbly, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Step 7: Invert and Serve
As soon as they come out of the oven, invert the pan onto a large baking sheet or serving platter. This flips the caramel and pecans on top of the rolls, creating a sticky, glossy finish. Serve the rolls warm for melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
How to Serve Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special touch, sprinkle some flaky sea salt atop the caramel after flipping for a wonderful contrast, or dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish. Adding a few extra toasted pecans on top can also elevate the texture and add a nutty crunch.
Side Dishes
These rolls are stellar on their own but pair wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or warm spiced tea for a cozy brunch. For a heartier serving, fresh fruit or a lightly dressed green salad can balance the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try lining a rustic wooden board with parchment paper and arranging the rolls in a spiral for an eye-catching centerpiece. Alternatively, serve them individually in small ramekins to keep portions neat and allow guests to enjoy them warm and gooey straight from the oven.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them soft and caramelized. Keeping the caramel intact is key, so avoid refrigeration if you want to maintain that perfect sticky texture.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked rolls by preparing them until slicing, then placing the rolls cut side down on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a sealed bag or container. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed for fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through and the caramel is bubbly again. Avoid the microwave as it can make the dough tough and the caramel overly sticky.
FAQs
Can I use homemade crescent dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! While refrigerated crescent rolls are convenient and work well, homemade dough can add a personal touch with a richer flavor and flakier texture. Just make sure to roll the dough into rectangles similar in size to the canned ones for even baking.
Are pecans necessary in this recipe?
Pecans are optional but highly recommended for their delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complement the caramel perfectly. If you have allergies or preferences, feel free to omit or substitute with walnuts or even skip nuts altogether.
Can this recipe be made dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter with your favorite plant-based margarine or vegan butter substitute and check that your crescent dough does not contain dairy. The caramel sauce’s flavor and texture will still shine through beautifully.
How do I prevent the caramel from burning?
Keeping an eye on the caramel as it bakes is important. Since the caramel cooks with the rolls, ensure your oven is properly preheated but not too hot beyond 375°F. If you notice any signs of burning, you can loosely cover the pan with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Definitely! Crescent Caramel Rolls are perfect for serving a crowd due to the large batch size—32 rolls mean plenty to go around. Their finger-food nature also makes them ideal for potlucks, brunches, and holiday gatherings where everyone will be asking for seconds.
Final Thoughts
The Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, combining simplicity with decadent flavor in a way that feels both special and comforting. Whether you’re baking for a casual weekend breakfast or a festive occasion, these rolls bring warmth, sweetness, and a bit of indulgence to the table. I can’t wait for you to make them and share the joy with your loved ones—you’re going to fall in love with every sticky, buttery bite!
Print
Crescent Caramel Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 32 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully gooey and sweet, these Crescent Caramel Rolls combine flaky crescent roll dough with a luscious caramel pecan topping and a cinnamon sugar swirl. Perfect for a crowd or special breakfast treat, these rolls bake quickly to a golden perfection and are served warm with a rich caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Caramel Topping
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Rolls
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- Remaining ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the rolls.
- Prepare Caramel Mixture: Place 5 tablespoons of butter into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking pan and let it melt in the preheating oven. Once melted, stir in ¾ cup of brown sugar, water, and chopped pecans if using, then set the pan aside.
- Prepare Crescent Dough: Separate each can of crescent roll dough into 4 rectangles, pinching the perforations between sections to seal them fully so the filling won’t leak.
- Butter the Dough: Spread the remaining 3 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each rectangle of dough for a rich, buttery flavor.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and remaining ¼ cup brown sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over each buttered dough rectangle.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the shorter side, roll up each rectangle tightly to form a log. Cut each log into 4 slices, making a total of 32 rolls.
- Arrange Rolls in Pan: Place all the cut rolls, cut side down, into the prepared pan over the caramel mixture to allow soaking and caramelizing during baking.
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Invert Pan and Serve: Immediately after baking, invert the pan onto a baking sheet to release the rolls along with the caramel sauce. Serve the rolls warm for the best gooey, caramel experience.
Notes
- You can omit the pecans if you prefer a nut-free version.
- Make sure to tightly pinch the perforations in the crescent rolls to prevent filling leakage.
- Serve rolls immediately after flipping the pan to enjoy warm caramel sauce.
- Leftover rolls can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar in the recipe.
