If there’s ever a breakfast treat worthy of a standing ovation, it’s Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans. Buttery, pillowy-soft dough is filled with shimmering layers of cinnamon sugar and generous handfuls of toasted pecans, then slathered in a tangy-sweet lemon cream cheese frosting. Every bite is an irresistible mix of gooey, nutty, ultra-comforting decadence. This recipe is a personal favorite I love to share on lazy weekends, holiday mornings, or whenever friends and family need a warm, sweet hug from the oven. You’ll be amazed by how these Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please!”

Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients! Every component in these Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans has a distinct role—some make the dough dreamily soft, others provide flavor or that signature sticky masterpiece. Here’s what you need, with a few tips to help make your rolls unforgettable.

Milk: Warm milk is the backbone of the dough, adding moisture and tenderizing every layer.
Vegetable oil: This keeps the rolls ultra-soft and fluffy, and it’s easy to work with.
Sugar: Sweetens both the dough and the filling. Granulated sugar helps with yeast activation and caramelizes beautifully!
Active dry yeast: Gives those perfect, bakery-style lifts and puffs.
All-purpose flour: Provides just enough structure without making the rolls heavy.
Baking powder & baking soda: These give the dough an extra boost—think light, airy bites every time.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
Butter: Melted for that rich, luscious filling and for brushing the rolls, it also makes the frosting ultra-silky.
Ground cinnamon: The heart of these rolls—fragrant and warming! Feel free to adjust to your taste.
Pecans: Toasty, nutty bits that elevate classic cinnamon rolls to something truly special.
Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature. Its tanginess pairs perfectly with the sweet, spiced filling.
Powdered sugar: For a silky, smooth frosting that melts into every cranny.
Pure vanilla extract: Deepens the frosting’s flavor profile in a subtle, aromatic way.
Lemon extract: Adds a bright pop to the filling, balancing all the rich notes.

How to Make Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans

Step 1: Warm the Milk and Dissolve the Sugar

Grab a large saucepan and combine the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar, warming gently over medium heat. Don’t let it boil! The goal is to dissolve the sugar and create the perfect cozy bath for the yeast. Let this cool until it’s just warm to the touch—too hot, and you’ll risk ruining your yeast’s rising ambitions.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Once the milk mixture has cooled slightly, sprinkle the yeast right on top. Give it a minute or two to bloom—you’ll see the surface get a little foamy and bubbly, which means your dough-to-be is off to a fantastic start.

Step 3: Make the Dough

Now, stir in 8 cups of flour using a sturdy wooden spoon. The dough will be shaggy and sticky, and that’s exactly what you want. Every fleck of flour counts, so scrape the bowl’s edges well.

Step 4: Let It Rise

Cover your bowl with a clean towel and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour. The magic happens here! You’re looking for a dough that’s puffed up and doubled in size, soft and billowy to the touch.

Step 5: Add Leavening and Seasonings

Mix in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and an extra cup of flour. Stir gently until everything is well combined. You might notice your dough getting a bit denser—don’t worry, it’s normal, and you’re on track for Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans glory!

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for about an hour. This makes it far easier to handle, roll, and shape later, so don’t skip this step—it reduces stickiness and gives you picture-perfect swirls.

Step 7: Prepare to Bake

Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Meanwhile, get your work surface floured and ready for action. Take half of the dough from the fridge (leaving the rest to chill), and roll it into a large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Think of it as a blank canvas for buttery, cinnamon-sugar pecan bliss.

Step 8: Layer on the Goodness

Here’s where the magic happens for your Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans. Pour about 1 cup of melted butter across the dough, spread to every edge, then scatter 1 cup of granulated sugar on top. Follow with a generous shower of cinnamon, then a hefty sprinkle of chopped pecans—the more, the merrier!

Step 9: Roll and Slice

Start rolling from the edge farthest from you, keeping the dough nice and tight as you go. Pinch the seam to seal, place seam-side down, and cut the log into 1/2-inch slices. Nestle 6 or 7 rolls per buttered baking pan, leaving a little space between each—they’ll expand during the final rise.

Step 10: Let the Rolls Rise Again

Cover the pans with kitchen towels and let your cut rolls rest for 20 minutes, right on the counter. This rise helps them become extra fluffy in the oven.

Step 11: Repeat with Remaining Dough

Get the second batch of dough from the fridge and repeat the rolling, filling, and slicing process. You’ll have pans full of beautiful, spiraled Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans ready for their grand debut.

Step 12: Bake to Perfection

Bake the rolls for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and your kitchen smells positively dreamy. Once out of the oven, immediately brush each roll with a thick layer of Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting and a fresh sprinkle of chopped pecans. The warmth helps the icing melt into every nook and makes for pure comfort in every bite.

Step 13: Make the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

With an electric mixer, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and luscious. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar, mixing on low to avoid any clouds of sugar dust, then beat until creamy. Blend in vanilla and lemon extract for a bright, tangy finish that cuts through the sweetness and makes these Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans utterly unforgettable.

Step 14: Frost While Warm

Drizzle the prepared frosting generously over still-warm rolls and watch it drizzle into every swirl. Add any extra pecans on top for crunch, beauty, and pure indulgence!

How to Serve Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans

Garnishes

If you’re after bakery-style presentation, sprinkle extra chopped pecans and a light dusting of powdered sugar over your warm Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans just before serving. For a pop of color, add a few citrus zest curls (orange or lemon work wonders!) right on top of the glossy frosting to echo the tangy notes inside.

Side Dishes

Pair your Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans with something refreshing for contrast, like a big bowl of fresh berries or a citrus fruit salad. For a heartier breakfast, serve alongside smoky bacon or soft scrambled eggs—perfect partners for these sweet, nutty swirls.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans in a round pan for a “tear-and-share” pull-apart style, or bake mini versions for a brunch buffet. You can even stack them into a pretty tower with extra frosting layers and serve as an untraditional, crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans keep beautifully when covered tightly in plastic wrap or popped into an airtight container. Store on the counter for up to two days if your kitchen isn’t too warm, or refrigerate for up to five days for maximum freshness.

Freezing

To freeze, let the baked rolls cool completely, then wrap individual rolls (or a whole pan) tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Stash them in the freezer for up to three months, and you’ll always have an emergency stash of sweet comfort.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans in a low oven (about 300ºF) for 10 minutes, or until warm and gooey. If you’re in a hurry, a brief spin in the microwave works too—but cover with a damp paper towel for extra moisture. Always add extra frosting after reheating, if you like!

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prep the rolls up to the slice-and-pan stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them finish their final rise until puffy before baking fresh. Nothing beats the smell of warm rolls first thing!

My dough is really sticky, what should I do?

Sticky dough is a sign of rich, tender rolls to come. If it’s too hard to work with, chill it for half an hour and dust your surface and rolling pin with a bit of extra flour as needed. Avoid over-flouring, or the rolls will get tough.

Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?

Yes! If you prefer walnuts or even hazelnuts, swap them freely. The key is to chop them finely for an even spread and irresistible crunch in every bite.

How do I get neat, bakery-style swirl slices?

Use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife to slice your log—it glides through the dough without squishing it. Slide the floss under the roll, cross the ends above, and pull tight for perfect rounds!

Can I double or halve this recipe?

You sure can. The recipe scales beautifully. For a smaller batch, halve every ingredient; if you’re feeding a crowd or want to freeze some for later, simply double up. Adjust baking times if your rolls are larger or smaller than standard.

Final Thoughts

I’m so excited for you to share these Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans with the people you love. There’s truly nothing like baking a pan full of gooey, fragrant, nut-studded rolls from scratch—especially when topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and shared warm out of the oven. Don’t be surprised if these quickly become your new signature treat!

Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: Makes about 24 cinnamon rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and indulgent cinnamon rolls filled with pecans, topped with a luscious lemon cream cheese frosting.

Instructions

Cinnamon Rolls: Dissolve sugar in milk. Combine milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat but do not boil. Let cool. Add yeast. Add 8 cups flour. Rest for 1 hour. Add leavening. Chill dough. Preheat oven. Roll out dough. Add filling. Roll up. Cut rolls. Rise. Bake.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and lemon extract. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.

Notes

You can customize the filling by adding raisins or other nuts.
For a gooier texture, pour a simple icing made of powdered sugar and milk over the rolls instead of the cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll
Calories: 350
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: Cinnamon Rolls, Pecans, Sweet Rolls, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert