Description
A show-stopping, oversized cinnamon roll swirled with creamy homemade date caramel and spiced with cinnamon. Baked to golden perfection, soaked with heavy cream, and topped with luscious cream cheese icing, this indulgent treat is perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
20 Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
¾ cup warm milk (~110°F)
2½ tsp instant or active dry yeast
1 egg, room temperature
⅓ cup salted butter, very softened
¼ cup granulated sugar, divided
½ tsp salt
2½ cups bread flour
1 cup date caramel (prepared above)
½ cup brown sugar (optional, for added sweetness)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
⅓ cup heavy cream, warmed
Cream cheese icing (your favorite recipe)
Instructions
- Soak pitted dates in boiling water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
- Blend softened dates with milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth and creamy. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk with 1 tbsp sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top, stir, and let sit for 3–5 minutes until frothy.
- Add egg, softened butter, and remaining sugar. Mix until combined.
- Add flour and salt. Mix until just combined, then let rest for 5 minutes.
- Knead dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Grease a 9-inch springform or cake pan with butter.
- Roll risen dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Spread 1 cup date caramel evenly over the dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar (if using) and cinnamon.
- Cut into six 2-inch-wide strips. Roll one strip into a spiral and place in the center of the pan. Coil the remaining strips around it to form one large roll.
- Cover loosely and let proof in a warm spot for 45 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Warm the heavy cream and pour evenly over the cinnamon roll.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Spread cream cheese icing generously over the warm roll. Slice into wedges and serve.
Notes
- Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the date caramel for a decadent twist.
- Use coconut milk in the caramel for a dairy-free version.
- Add cardamom or nutmeg to the filling for extra spice.
- Make individual rolls by slicing the dough into smaller strips and baking in a muffin tin.
- Drizzle extra date caramel over the baked roll before icing.
- Use maple syrup in the caramel for a deeper flavor.
- Swap the cream cheese frosting for a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk.
- Add orange zest to the icing for brightness.
- Make it festive with a dusting of powdered sugar “snow” before serving.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (plus rise time)
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
