Description
A fluffy, oversized cinnamon roll swirled with gooey, naturally sweet date caramel and topped with luscious cream cheese icing. It’s the comforting, show-stopping treat you’ve been waiting for.
Ingredients
Scale
- Date Caramel:
- 20 Medjool dates, pitted
- Boiling water (to soak)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- Dough:
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 ½ tsp instant or active dry yeast
- 1 egg (room temp)
- ⅓ cup salted butter, nearly melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (split)
- 2 ½ cups bread flour
- ½ tsp salt
- Filling:
- 1 cup prepared date caramel
- ½ cup brown sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Topping & Icing:
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Date Caramel: Soak dates in boiling water for 30 minutes. Drain. Blend dates with milk, vanilla, and salt until creamy. Set aside.
- Prep the Dough: Mix warm milk, 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast. Let bloom for 5 mins. Add egg, butter, and remaining sugar. Mix well. Stir in flour and salt. Rest 5 mins. Knead dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and rise for 30–45 mins until doubled.
- Shape and Fill: Roll dough into a 15×12” rectangle. Spread 1 cup of date caramel evenly. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon if using. Cut into six 2” wide strips. Roll the first, coil the rest around it in the pan.
- Final Rise: Cover and let rise 45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour warm cream over the dough before baking. Bake 30–35 mins. Cover with foil if browning too fast.
- Ice & Serve: Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the slightly cooled roll. Slice, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
Cool your date caramel before spreading. Don’t overflour the dough – it should be slightly tacky. Let it cool 10–15 mins before icing for perfect spreadability.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cinnamon roll, date caramel, giant cinnamon roll, cream cheese icing, brunch treat