Fresh, baked Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls topped with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect companion for your morning coffee.

As a creative baker, I love to take two separate concepts and combine them into one – German Chocolate Cake Cookie Sandwiches, Smores Hot Cocoa, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies. Here’s another twist on a classic pastry recipe – Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls. Sweet cinnamon rolls stuffed with carrots, raisins, and walnuts then topped with a cream cheese icing. And since these babies are stuffed with a filling reminiscent of carrot cake, they are perfect for today’s Sunday Supper theme of stuffed recipes. Let’s stuff our faces, shall we?

I made these cinnamon rolls last year for Easter weekend when my parents and brother visited. Cinnamon rolls are such a weakness of mine, and I knew I could devour the whole dozen no questions asked. I made a note in my planner to share this recipe, and here I am a year later. This time around, I used a regular all purpose flour dough instead of the whole wheat dough it originally called for then added walnuts to the filling. I was toying with adding pineapple to the mix, but I was afraid it would be too wet and didn’t have dried pineapple on hand.

Even though I associate carrot cake with Easter, carrot cake can be eaten all year round. I don’t think carrots ever go out of season, do they? They make a great brunch treat (especially for Easter morning). Make them the night before and let them sit in the refrigerator overnight during the second resting period. In the morning, pop them in the oven then frost before serving.


Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
You can prep these rolls the night before then pop them in the oven the morning you want to serve them. Follow the directions all the way up to assembly. During the second rise, you can cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 1/2 cups + 1-2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoon yeast (one 1/4 ounce package)
- 1 cup milk (heated to 120F)
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick or 2 ounces) butter, melted
- 2 eggs, room temperature
Filling
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the dough
- In a large mixing bowl (paddle attachment if using a stand mixer), combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add the milk and melted butter. Mix on low speed until the dough forms a soft mass. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Continue beating on low until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, 5-6 minutes.
- If using a stand mixer, change the attachment to the dough hook. Sprinkle the dough with 1 tablespoon of flour. Beat on low speed until the dough is smooth (not sticky) and springs back when you press it with your finger. If needed, add the extra tablespoon of flour. If not using a stand mixer, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 4-6 minutes.*
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place (about 85F) for 45-60 minutes or until it has almost doubled.**
For the filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, and water. Bring to a boil, stirring, then remove from the heat. Let cool 15 minutes.
To assemble
- Spread 1 tablespoon butter in a 13x9 pan.
- On a floured surface or pastry mat, roll the dough into a 12x16 rectangle. Spread remaining 1 tablespoon butter onto dough, being careful not to rip it. Spread the carrot filling on top. Staring with a short end, roll up the dough and form a tight 12-inch cylinder. Cut into 12 slices. Place each slice, spiral side up, into the buttered pan. Cover a tea towel and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, 45-60 minutes.**
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the rolls have risen and are brown. Cool.
For the frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the milk and vanilla. Spread on top of rolls.
Notes
If you're having trouble finding a warm spot, place the bowl on a heating pad. I used the highest setting on mine.
*
Source: Adapted from I Love Cinnamon Rolls!
More Carrot Cake Recipes

Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts
Manu says
I would gladly stuff my face with these! They sound like the perfect thing to bake this Easer week!!! Yet another great recipe Carla!
Liz says
Now this is an incredible combination of recipes! As a huge fan of carrol cake AND cinnamon rolls, I’d definitely need to serve these to company so I wouldn’t eat the whole batch myself!
Family Foodie says
I love how you roll and I love love love those dishes. Great color!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Carrot cake cinnamon rolls?! Brilliant!!! love these!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
OMG! What gorgeous cinnamon rolls! I LOVE that you made them carrot cake style! Amazing!
Becca from ItsYummi! says
Bring on the coffee… YUM!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
What an awesome combination! Brilliant! And I love the blue/turquoise dishes!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Wow, Carla, I LOVE these! You combined two amazing food, so of course it is going to be delicious!
Jennifer says
This sounds amazing! My husband would die and go to heaven if I made these so I can’t wait to give it a whirl!
Tara says
What a great idea adding the carrot to traditional cinnamon rolls, makes them perfectly delicious for Easter!!
amanda @ fake ginger says
My husband loves carrot cake and he loves cinnamon rolls – I have to make these for him!
Constance Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
Mmmmm…..ALL of those rolls look FANTASTIC!
Seduction In The Kitchen says
Oh this looks like heaven to me! Super like!!!!
Bea says
One word, Carla – amazing!!!
Hezzi-D says
Two of my favorites rolled up into one! Delicious!
Marlene @Nosh My Way says
You are so right Carla, a perfect companion to my morning coffee, my mid morning coffee, my afternoon tea and my evening glass of wine. Yes, wine.
Laura Dembowski says
I have been dying to see this recipe and it did not disappoint! Two of my favorite foods combined into one amazing treat!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Carla, you’re the queen of foodie mash-ups. Seriously, this is totally brilliant. I bet it tastes incredible and your photos are gorgeous. I can’t stop staring at them!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Fabulous. I’m not much of a cake fan, but I adore carrot cake. And with cinnamon rolls? homy
Renee says
Why yes, let us stuff our faces with this divine creation. I’d eat these any time of the year.
Christy says
What a great idea. I’ll be saving these and making for my next bruch!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Brilliant! I love both carrot cake and cinnamon rolls – I love the idea of this combination. They would be totally addictive!!!!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
This is so clever and creative. I love the combination of cinnamon rolls with carrot cake and the icing…WOW, it is perfect!
Shaina says
This is the most perfect dessert. I agree – carrot cake can, and should, be eaten year-round. I absolutely love this recipe for a decadent brunch. Yum!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
These have me salivating! They look SO good!
Stacy says
That filling is fabulous, Carla! I love your combination of carrot cake and sweet rolls. These would indeed be perfect for Easter morning!
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
Wow these look incredible Carla! I love that you added walnuts too! Yummy!
Terri/LoveandConfections says
I love all things carrot cake and this might just top that list!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
My daughter would love me forever if I made these. I will have to make some points really soon!!
Serena says
This dietitian thinks the carrots in cinnamon rolls certainly count as a serving of veggies! Perfect for Easter brunch. I have GOT to make these!
Sarah says
Are there any left? I’ll be right over!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I absolutely adore these cinnamon rolls! i want to be your neighbor!!
Julie says
I LOVE cinnamon rolls – and combined with carrot cake, one of my husband’s favorites? Winner!
Susan says
Carrots don’t really go out of season but definitely get the larger hearty carrots in the winter and the more tender and colorful ones in the spring/summer. I’m loaded down with so many carrots at home right now. I just love this!
Kelli's Kitchen says
The cinnamon rolls look so great – and such a contrast on the beautiful dishes! You have such a great eye for color……YUM!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These sound absolutely amazing! Wish I had some for Easter breakfast tomorrow!