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Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Today I have the perfect cinnamon roll for Easter {or any day really}.  Carrot Cake is the official cake of Easter and so turning it into a soft and delicious cinnamon roll seemed like the right thing to do.  I was absolutely right!  These Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls are amazing!  The fact that they start with a cake mix is just an added bonus.  Keep scrolling to see how you can can make them for yourself.
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Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

I have a couple of other cinnamon roll recipes here on the blog but this one is extra special.  To get all of the flavors of a carrot cake packed inside of a pastry is pretty darn awesome.

Using a cake mix means that you don’t have to add any extra spices, although fresh grated carrot is a nice addition.

I have to say that Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls are my new favorite.  They will definitely be made again, sooner rather than later.

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Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

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How to make Cinnamon Rolls from a Cake Mix

Start by adding the warm water {I used tap water that was really warm to the touch} to your mixer bowl with 2 packages of Rapid Rise Yeast.  Stir to combine.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Then add the carrot cake mix, fresh grated carrot, flour, vanilla and salt.  Using the dough hook of your stand mixer, mix the dough for a couple of minutes {this will combine the ingredients and also knead the dough}.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

The dough might be a little bit sticky.  If it is, remove it from the bowl and onto a floured surface.  Knead a couple of times into the flour.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Then return the dough to the bowl.  Cover with a towel and place in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes or until it is doubled in size.

How to Turn your Oven into a Bread Proofer

Sometimes it is hard to find a warm spot that is great for your bread to rise.  That is when you can turn your oven into your very own bread proofer.

It is super simple.  There are only a few steps.

  1. Turn your oven to the lowest setting and let it come to temperature.
  2. Turn the oven off.
  3. Place your bread dough into the warm oven on the middle rack, covered with plastic wrap.
  4. Place a pan of hot water on the rack below the bread dough.  Shut the door.

This will create a warm environment perfect for rising your bread dough.  No need to worry about drafts or cool houses.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

It will be really light and airy when ready.  Punch it down and put out onto a floured surface.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

How to assemble and roll Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Roll it out into a large rectangle that is approximately 15 x 12″ rectangle.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Spread softened butter over the entire surface of the dough.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Top the butter with brown sugar and spread out so that it covers the entire surface.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Finally, top with cinnamon.  Starting at the wide edge that is the farthest away from you, begin rolling the dough towards you into a large log.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Cut your carrot cake mix cinnamon rolls log into 12-16, 1/2″ rolls.  Place 12 rolls into a 9×13 baking pan {you may need a second pan if you have more rolls} that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.   

Cover with a towel and place both dishes somewhere warm.  Wait for 30 minutes, or until they are almost doubled in size.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

They will rise up and start touching each other when they are ready to bake.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Place your carrot cake mix cinnamon rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and baked through.

While the rolls are baking, combine all of the frosting ingredients and mix with a hand held mixer.

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Once the rolls have cooled for a couple of minutes, spread about a tablespoon of frosting onto each roll.  Serve warm or store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.  They can also be froze for up to 3 months.

I think they would be a great gift for your friends and family, so be sure you make more than one batch.  You will definitely want some for yourself too!

Additional Filling Options for your Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls:

  • Raisins {regular or golden}, we are not raisin lovers around here but if you are…add them!
  • Coconut {toasted might be nice}
  • Pineapple {crushed}
  • Walnuts or pecans
  • White chocolate chips

Easy Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe featured by top US dessert blog, Practically Homemade.

Do you love breakfast breads?  Try these recipes…

Easy Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Transform a carrot cake mix into amazing Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are easy to make and taste delicious.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 642kcal
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 1 box carrot cake mix {13.25 ounces
  • 2 envelopes rapid rise yeast {instant yeast}
  • 2 ½ cups warm water
  • 1 cup fresh carrot {grated}
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 ½ cups all purpose flour

Filling

  • ½ cup butter {softened}
  • 1 cup brown sugar {packed}
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese {softened}
  • 3 Tablespoons butter {softened}
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Combine both packets of yeast with warm water in mixer bowl and stir to dissolve.  Add carrot cake mix, grated carrot, flour, vanilla and salt.  Use the dough hook to knead together dough for a couple of minutes.  Cover dough and let rise until doubled in size {about 30-45 minutes}. 
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll into a large rectangle {about 15″x12″}.  Spread softened butter over dough.  Sprinkle butter with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Spray a 9x13″ rectangle baking pan with non stick spray. Starting with the wide section that is the furthest from you, begin to roll the dough into a tight circle toward yourself. When you get to the end, pinch to be sure that the end adheres to the rest of the roll. You should have a long roll.  Cut the long roll in half using a serrated knife. Then take each half and cut 6 or 8 equal rolls. Place into the prepared pan {if you get more than 12, you might need another pan}. Cover rolls and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
  • Once the rolls have risen, preheat the oven to 350°. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove from oven and let roll cool for 10 minutes. 
  • While your Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon roll is cooling, combine all of the Cream Cheese Frosting ingredients in a bowl and mix until it is smooth.  Spread on rolls and serve warm or store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

Notes

Store: Leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. 
Freeze: These carrot cake cinnamon rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 642kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 507mg | Potassium: 296mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 2235IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5mg
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