Grandma’s North Dakota Caramel Rolls

Step 1

To Make the Dough

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour and yeast. Add eggs, but don't stir them in.

Step 3

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the milk, sugar, salt, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high. The butter should be almost melted. It should feel warm, but not too hot, to the touch. (110°)

Step 4

Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and mix with a large spoon until it begins to come together.

Step 5

Knead, using the kneading hook on the mixer, for about 3 minutes. It should gather around the kneading hook as a smooth ball, but still stick to the bottom of the bowl. It should stick to your finger when you touch it. If it is too wet, add a little flour. If it's too dry, add a little warm water. Continue kneading with the kneading hook until it is smooth.

Step 6

Grease a large bowl with Pam. Add the ball of dough to the bowl. (It will be sticky. I use greased spatulas to scrape out the dough.) Spray the top of the dough with Pam. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Leave the dough in a warm place (85°) to rise for 30 minutes, until the dough is doubled in size, approximately, but not so long that it starts to fall.

Step 7

For the Caramel

Step 8

When the dough starts to rise, combine the cream and brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until it starts to boil. Immediately remove it from heat and set it aside to cool.

Step 9

Shaping and Baking the Rolls

Step 10

After the dough has risen, divide the dough in half.

Step 11

With greased hands, dump one half of the dough onto a greased countertop. (I prefer to use a greased silicone mat.) Press the dough into a 16×9 inch rectangle.

Step 12

Spread the butter (from Filling Ingredients) over the rectangle of dough. Then top with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Step 13

Roll the dough up from a long side, pinching to seal.

Step 14

Slice into 12 slices, and place in a greased 9×13 pan.

Step 15

Repeat with the remaining dough, adding the new rolls to the same 9×13 pan. (Optionally, you can use two 9 inch cake pans).

Step 16

Pour the mostly cooled (warm, not hot) caramel mixture over the top of the rolls.

Step 17

Let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes, until they puff up and fill the pan.

Step 18

Preheat oven to 350°.

Step 19

Bake for 55 minutes, covering with greased foil for the last 10 minutes.(If you use cake pans, bake for 35-40 minutes.)

Step 20

Flip the pan upside down onto a platter. Scrape out any caramel that sticks to the pan and spread it onto the rolls.

Step 21

Optional Quick Butter Frosting

Step 22

Combine the butter, powdered sugar, and salt and beat well until creamy. Add milk, 1 tbsp. at a time, if needed, to make a frosting consistency. If you add too much milk, add a little more powdered sugar. Serve alongside the rolls.