Sticky Walnut Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

When I saw the recipe at Rani's, I was stunned and I could almost smell the rolls. Then I couldn't resist to be curious. Because according to Rani, it's pretty similar with Cinnabon. She got the recipe from Jaden of Steamy Kitchen and Jaden said that was an orgasm on a plate *LOL*. And I said, "that was absolutely true!!!!" :D



This recipe is truly a no-knead. And Jaden even said no brainer! :D. It tasted so delicious and the rolls had a moist and densed texture, it was because they were soaked on caramel. Cinnamon Rolls and Caramel is really a perfect match! They are soulmates for a sweet tooth like me ;).

Master Dough
from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, at Jaden's

The book contains several master dough recipes, and this is an enriched, sweet dough, perfect for a loaf of Challah (the braided dough) and the Sticky Rolls. You start by mixing the master dough first, Let that rest overnight in the refrigerator, then the next day, pinch off a cantaloupe sized hunk-o-dough to make your Sticky Pecan Caramel Cinnamon Rolls! Return the rest to the refrigerator to use for another day.

1 3/4 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 tbl instant yeast
1 1/2 tbl kosher salt (or 1 1/2 tsp table salt)
4 lg eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
7 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, water, honey, melted butter, yeast and salt. Stir well with a wooden spoon. Add in the flour. Stir until you don’t see any more dry bits of flour (about a minute). Cover (not airtight) and stick it in the refrigerator overnight, or up to 4 days. The longer you let it fart around in the refrigerator (literally!), the better tasting the dough will be.

If you want, you can let it rise for 2 hours on the counter, pinch off the dough that you need to make your rolls. Still good, but definitely not as good as if you had let it sit 1-4 days in the refrigerator.

NOTE: When you let the dough hang out in the refrigerator, it’s not going to “rise” like a normal dough



The Gooey Sticky Caramel Topping
6 tbl unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
30 pecan halves

The Heavenly Sweet Cinnamon Butter Filling
4 tbl unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped and toasted pecans
pinch of freshly ground black pepper

9″ square or round cake pan

The first thing you need to do is take that master dough out of the refrigerator, grab a small cantalope sized chunk of dough. Return the rest of it to the refrigerator to use another time. Generously flour your hands and the dough. Shape the dough into a ball by stretching the surface of the dough and tucking it to the bottom all around, rotating hte ball a quarter-turn as you go. This creates a taut, smooth surface. Let the dough rest, covered with a towel to take the chill off while you prepare rest of ingredients.

While the dough is unchilling, mix the topping and the filling.

FOR THE TOPPING: Cream together the butter, salt and sugar. Spread this topping evenly on the bottom of the cake pan. Scatter with pecan halves (Dita-I used chooped walnut).



OR THE FILLING: Cream together all ingredients except the pecans. Set aside.

Dust your counter with flour and roll out the dough with a rolling pin to 1/8″ thick rectangle. Try to get it 13″ x 17". Spread the sweet butter filling evenly on the surface. Scatter chopped pecans all over.

Roll it up, starting with the long side.

Flour your serrated knife and cut roll into 9 even pieces (square pan) or 8 pieces (round pan).

Set it in the pan on top of the caramel, cover with towel and rest for 1 hour.



Preheat your oven to 350F. The book says to bake for 40 minutes, or until golden brown and well set in the center. But take a peek at the rolls around the 35 minute mark.

While still hot, run a knife round the edge of pan and invert immediately onto a plate. If you wait until it cools, the caramel will harden and it will be difficult to turn out.

Yum Yum!! Soft, pillowy dough. Sweet cinnamon and nutmeg butter dribbling down your chin. Sticky, gooey caramel. Crunchy walnuts.




To all my moslem friends, wishing you a blessed Ramadan.

Breads and Rolls :
1. Butterhorn Garlic Knots
2. Yoghurt Rolls
3. Chocolate Yeast Loaf