Are you craving the warm, gooey goodness of a caramel roll but want to avoid corn syrup? You're in luck! This recipe delivers all the decadent flavor and texture you love, without relying on artificial sweeteners. It's a surprisingly easy homemade treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. This recipe is perfect for those looking for easy recipes, healthy meals (relatively!), and quick dinner ideas – though these are best enjoyed as a treat!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ - 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Caramel Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is active and your dough will rise properly.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add flour and salt, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Making the Caramel Filling:
- Cook the sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook granulated sugar until melted and golden brown, swirling the pan occasionally to prevent burning. This is the key to a rich caramel flavor.
- Add cream carefully: Gradually whisk in heavy cream (it will bubble up!), then stir in butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and glossy. Be cautious as the mixture will be hot!
- Cool completely: Let the caramel cool completely before using.
Assembling and Baking the Rolls:
- Roll out the dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle (approximately 12x18 inches).
- Spread the caramel: Spread the cooled caramel evenly over the dough.
- Roll and cut: Tightly roll the dough up from the long side. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices.
- Second rise: Place the rolls in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan, cover, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Glaze (optional): While the rolls are still warm, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze made by whisking together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the caramel filling.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the baked rolls for a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts or chocolate chips in the dough for added texture and flavor.
- If you're short on time, you can skip the second rise, but the rolls may be slightly less fluffy.
Nutritional Information (per roll, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 350-400 Fat: 15-20g Carbohydrates: 50-60g Protein: 5-7g
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy responsibly! This recipe provides a delicious and relatively healthy alternative to store-bought caramel rolls, perfect for homemade cooking enthusiasts. It's one of the best recipes for a satisfying treat!