These delicious and delightful caramel pull apart rolls are not only tasty but they are super easy to make because they use prepared frozen dinner roll dough. Simply assemble them the night before, allow them to rise overnight and bake in the morning. They're the perfect Christmas morning or everyday breakfast treat!
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Nothing beats the convenience of these caramel pull apart rolls any holiday morning. Heck, even non-holiday mornings for that matter. They take almost no time to prepare because they use frozen unbaked dinner roll dough and a simple caramel sauce that you can whip up on your stove in no time. To make life even easier, you prepare them the night before and let them rise on your countertop overnight. Then the next morning all you have to do is bake and eat!
This is another delicious recipe from my friend Jana. Please also check out her recipe for overnight sausage breakfast casserole. They’re both amazing and perfect for any breakfast or brunch gathering.
This recipe is featured in our lineup of easy sweet breakfast recipes. Check them out!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredients
- Raw whole pecans (2 cups). For flavor and texture.
- Frozen unbaked dinner rolls (24 count). I used Rhodes Thaw, Rise & Bake dinner rolls. If you are having trouble finding prepared unbaked dinner rolls, you can make your own. I recommend the Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. She even has instructions for making the dough ahead of time and freezing it.
- Butterscotch pudding mix (1 3.5 oz. box). Look for Jell-O Cook & Serve butterscotch pudding and pie filling (not the instant kind) in your local grocery store or you can buy it online (affiliate link).
- Ground cinnamon (2-3 tablespoons or enough to cover rolls). For flavor.
- Butter (½ cup). For flavor and thickening.
- Light brown sugar (¾ cup). For flavor.
Instructions
Step 1. Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 5. The next morning, heat oven to 350°F (176°C). Remove plastic wrap from the top of the baking dish and place the dish into the pre-heated and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes.
Serve the rolls by placing either a serving platter or cookie sheet across the top of the baking dish. Flip the baking dish over to release the rolls onto the platter/cookie sheet.
Storage Instructions
- Serve fresh if possible. While you can store and reheat these rolls, they are best enjoyed fresh on the day of baking. The gooey caramel and soft texture are at their peak when served soon after they come out of the oven.
- Room temperature (short term). If you plan to consume the rolls within 1-2 days, you can store them at room temperature. Ensure they are covered to prevent drying out. Place them in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigeration (extended storage). For longer storage, especially if you have leftovers, it’s recommended to refrigerate the caramel pull apart rolls. Place the rolls in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigeration helps maintain freshness and prevents the caramel from becoming too sticky.
- Freezing (extended storage). If you want to store the rolls for an extended period, consider freezing them. Wrap individual rolls or the entire batch in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Alternatively, you can use a double layer of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Properly stored, they can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Thawing. When ready to enjoy frozen rolls, transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. Thawing gradually in the refrigerator helps preserve the texture and flavors.
- Reheating. To reheat refrigerated or thawed rolls, preheat the oven to 350 F (176 C). Place the rolls in the oven for about 10-15 minutes until they are warmed through. Check for doneness, and adjust the time if needed. This step helps restore the freshness and gooey texture of the caramel.
Remember to use airtight containers or well-sealed coverings to prevent the rolls from drying out or absorbing odors from the refrigerator or freezer.
Tips for Success
- Use quality ingredients. Choose high-quality frozen unbaked dinner rolls, fresh pecans, and a reputable butterscotch pudding mix for the best flavor and texture.
- Prepare the baking dish properly. Make sure to spray the baking dish with cooking spray to prevent the rolls from sticking. This step is crucial for a clean release when flipping the rolls.
- Evenly spread pecans. When spreading the pecans in the baking dish, aim for an even layer across the entire bottom. This ensures that each roll gets a delicious crunch from the nuts.
- Proper arrangement of dinner rolls. Arrange the frozen dinner rolls side-by-side in the baking dish. This helps them rise uniformly and creates a visually appealing arrangement.
- Generously sprinkle pudding mix and cinnamon. Ensure an even distribution of butterscotch pudding mix and ground cinnamon over the dinner rolls. This step contributes to both flavor and texture.
- Watch caramelization of butter and brown sugar. Pay attention to the caramel sauce preparation. Stir frequently to avoid burning, and let the mixture turn light amber and smell like caramel sauce. This ensures a rich and flavorful caramel coating.
- Cover with greased plastic wrap. When allowing the dough to rise overnight, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray. This prevents the dough from sticking to the wrap during the rising process.
- Proper rising time. Allow the dough to rise overnight for the best results. This extended rising time contributes to the texture and flavor of the rolls.
- Preheat the oven. Ensure that the oven is properly preheated to 350 F (176 C) before placing the rolls inside. This helps them bake evenly and achieve a golden brown top.
- Check for doneness. Keep an eye on the rolls during baking and adjust the time as needed. They should be golden brown on top, and the internal temperature should be around 190 F (88 C).
- Allow resting time. After removing the rolls from the oven, let them rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the caramel sauce to set slightly and makes it easier to release the rolls.
- Careful flipping technique. When flipping the rolls onto a serving platter or cookie sheet, do it carefully and confidently. A quick, smooth flip will help release the caramel-coated pecans on top.
FAQs
Related Recipes
- Gluten-Free Coconut Breakfast Cookies.
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bread.
- Lime Scones.
- Blueberry English Muffins.
- Biscuit Muffins.
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Caramel Pull Apart Rolls
These delicious and delightful caramel pull apart rolls are not only tasty but they are super easy to make because they use prepared frozen dinner roll dough. Simply assemble them the night before, allow them to rise overnight and bake in the morning. They're the perfect Christmas morning or everyday breakfast treat!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups raw whole pecans
- 24 frozen unbaked dinner rolls
- 1 3.5 oz. box butterscotch pudding mix
- 2-3 tablespoons ground cinnamon or enough to cover rolls
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13" baking dish with cooking spray. Spread pecans across the entire bottom of the baking dish.Place frozen dinner rolls on top of the pecans. It usually works best to line the rolls side-by-side along the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle the dinner rolls with the butterscotch pudding mix, followed by an ample sprinkling of ground cinnamon. Set dish aside.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar, stirring frequently to keep from burning. Continue cooking until the mixture turns light amber and smells like caramel sauce.Spoon the mixture over the rolls.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray to keep the dough from sticking to the plastic. Place the baking dish on the counter and allow the dough to rise overnight.
- The next morning, heat oven to 350°F (176°C). Remove plastic wrap from the top of the baking dish and place the dish into the pre-heated and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes.Serve the rolls by placing either a serving platter or cookie sheet across the top of the baking dish. Flip the baking dish over to release the rolls onto the platter/cookie sheet.
Nutrition
Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 24 rolls
Calories: 235kcal
The first problem I encountered was that after putting the pudding and cinnamon on the rolls the melted brown sugar butter mix ran off the rolls like water on a ducks back leaving the pudding mix in powder form. I did mix the pudding and cinnamon together before sprinkling it on but didn’t see why that should be a problem. It seems like a whole package of pudding is too much. Also I used 3 tbs of cinnamon which I think is too much, 2 tbs should be about right. The rolls rose fine in about 5 hours going over the top of the pan at which time I baked them. They looked great when I took them out of the oven but the entire center bunch of rolls fell to half there size. I assume this was because I live just above 5000′ and most baking recipes need to be adjusted for high altitude. The recipe wasn’t hard to make but it definitely didn’t give me the results I was looking for and I probably won’t make them again.
Thanks for the feedback, Ron. I’m sorry you didn’t get the result you were hoping for.
Do you use instant or cooking pudding?
Hi Helen,
You use the cooking pudding, not the instant kind.
These rolls are good! Made the recipe exactly as described & all the different flavors just jump out.
The pecans are exceptionally good in this particular recipe.
Very good reheated the day after too!