Barefoot Contessa’s Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe You’ll Love

Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Rolls represent a decadent morning treat that transforms ordinary breakfasts into extraordinary experiences.

Warm spices dance through delicate layers of flaky pastry, promising rich sensations that awaken sleepy taste buds.

Soft, pillowy textures meld with sweet caramelized notes, creating an irresistible aroma that fills kitchens with comfort.

Home bakers can craft these elegant pastries without complicated techniques or professional skills.

Each roll brings a perfect balance of crisp edges and tender interiors, melting softly with each delightful bite.

Subtle nuances of buttery sweetness complement the deep warmth of classic baking spices.

Your weekend brunch guests will feel truly special when presented with these luxurious morning delicacies: Get ready to elevate your baking game.

Why Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Rolls Smell Like Home

• Effortless Elegance: These cinnamon rolls transform store-bought puff pastry into a luxurious breakfast treat without complex baking skills, making gourmet pastries accessible to everyone.
• Texture Symphony: Crispy caramelized edges blend with soft, tender pastry layers, while crunchy pecans provide delightful contrast, creating a multi-dimensional eating experience that delights every bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Preparing these rolls takes just 45 minutes from start to finish, perfect for weekend brunches or unexpected guests, delivering maximum flavor with minimal preparation time.

Everything You Need for Cinnamon Rolls

• Puff Pastry: Light and flaky pastry that creates the delicate roll structure, best when all-butter and cold from the refrigerator.

• Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Sweet and warm spice blend that provides rich caramelized flavor and aromatic warmth.
• Raisins: Soft, sweet dried fruit that adds texture and natural sweetness to the rolls.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a golden, crispy exterior, unsalted preferred for better control of saltiness.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that add nutty depth and textural contrast to the sweet rolls.

How to Bake Soft and Sticky Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare The Baking Setup

Warm your oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Position a 12-cup muffin tin on the sheet pan.

Step 2: Create Buttery Base

• Butter
• Brown sugar

Distribute a rounded tablespoon of this mixture into each muffin cup. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the butter-sugar blend.

Step 3: Unroll The Pastry

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Raisins

Leave a 1-inch border around the edges.

Step 4: Shape The Rolls

Roll the pastry from the closest edge, creating a jelly roll shape. Ensure the seam stays underneath. Trim 1/2 inch from both roll ends. Slice the roll into six equal pieces, approximately 1 1/2 inches wide. Place each slice spiral side up in muffin cups. Repeat with the second pastry sheet.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven. Bake until rolls turn golden to dark brown and feel firm, around 30 minutes.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Let rolls rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Carefully invert onto parchment paper. Spoon any remaining filling and pecans over the rolls. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Expert Tips for Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Rolls

• Butter Perfection: Bring butter to room temperature at least 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy incorporation into the dough.
• Pastry Prep: Allow puff pastry to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, preventing cracks and making rolling easier without damaging the delicate layers.
• Filling Focus: Sprinkle cinnamon, sugar, and raisins right to the edges, creating a consistent flavor profile in every single bite of the roll.
• Rolling Technique: Use gentle, firm pressure when rolling to create tight, compact rolls that hold the sweet filling securely and prevent leaks during baking.
• Cooling Magic: Let cinnamon rolls rest completely before serving, allowing flavors to settle and frosting to set for the most delectable texture and taste.

How to Store Cinnamon Rolls Without Drying Out

• Vacuum Seal: Protect rolls from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Press out all air before sealing to lock in freshness and prevent moisture loss. Works perfectly for maintaining soft texture and preventing staleness during long-term storage.
• Individual Wrap Method: Wrap each cinnamon roll separately in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container. Stack rolls carefully to save space and prevent crushing. This technique keeps rolls intact and makes grabbing a single serving super easy.
• Room Temperature Trick: Keep fresh rolls in a sealed cake carrier with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for 1-2 days. Place a small piece of bread inside the container to help maintain moisture and softness. Ideal for short-term storage when planning to consume quickly.

Sweet Twists for Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Rolls

• Nutty Maple Crunch: Replace pecans with chopped walnuts and drizzle maple syrup over the rolls after baking for a rich, woodsy flavor profile.
• Berry Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix softened cream cheese with raspberry preserves and spread inside the pastry before rolling, creating a tangy and sweet combination.
• Chocolate Caramel Fusion: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and drizzle caramel sauce between pastry layers, adding decadent depth to the classic cinnamon roll recipe.
• Tropical Coconut Sensation: Incorporate shredded coconut into the filling and top the rolls with a light coconut glaze made from powdered sugar and coconut milk for a refreshing twist.

Final Roll of Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Treats

Barefoot Contessa’s cinnamon rolls emerge as a culinary masterpiece that blends sweet indecadence with nutty sophistication.

Puff pastry sheets transform into golden spirals of comfort, promising an irresistible breakfast experience.

Pecans scattered across caramelized surfaces create a delightful crunch that elevates each bite.

Warm aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar will dance through kitchen spaces, beckoning hungry souls.

Professional yet approachable, these rolls showcase Ina Garten’s signature elegant simplicity.

Passionate bakers and weekend chefs can confidently craft these delectable treats – so go ahead, share this mouthwatering recipe with friends, spread the deliciousness on social media, and let culinary creativity inspire your next kitchen adventure.

Barefoot Contessa Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s heavenly cinnamon rolls blend classic comfort with rich, aromatic spices from a cherished family recipe. Warm, gooey layers of buttery dough swirl with sweet cinnamon, creating a nostalgic breakfast treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Ingredients:

• 1 package (17.3 ounces, or 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted

Filling Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins
• ½ cup pecans, chopped into very large pieces

Butter and Sugar Ingredients:

• 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and position a rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and place a 12-cup muffin tin on top for stability.
2. Create a caramel base by thoroughly mixing softened unsalted butter with brown sugar until smooth and uniform. Evenly distribute a rounded tablespoon of this mixture into each muffin cavity. Generously scatter chopped pecans across the butter-sugar layer, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Prepare the pastry surface by lightly dusting a clean work area with all-purpose flour. Carefully unfold a puff pastry sheet, orienting the natural fold lines horizontally. Brush the entire pastry surface with melted butter, leaving a narrow margin around the edges.
4. Sprinkle the pastry with an even layer of brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and plump raisins. Maintain a one-inch border around the perimeter to prevent filling from leaking during rolling.
5. Tightly roll the pastry from the nearest edge, creating a compact cylindrical shape. Ensure the seam remains underneath after rolling. Trim approximately 1/2 inch from each end to create clean edges.
6. Slice the roll into six equal portions, each approximately 1 1/2 inches wide. Position each slice spiral-side up within the prepared muffin cups. Repeat the entire process with the second puff pastry sheet.
7. Bake the pastry rolls for 28-32 minutes, or until they achieve a deep golden-brown color and feel firm to the touch. The pastry should look crisp and caramelized.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to rest in the pan for exactly 5 minutes. Carefully invert the muffin tin onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing any remaining caramel and pecans to drizzle over the rolls.
9. Let the pastry rolls cool completely at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor development before serving.

Notes

• Prepare soft butter at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and easy spreading across the pastry.
• Allow puff pastry to sit out and warm up slightly, preventing cracking or tearing during the rolling process.
• Distribute sugar, cinnamon, and raisins uniformly across the surface for consistent flavor in every delightful bite.
• Create a tight, secure roll starting from the closest edge to maintain the filling’s integrity and prevent spillage.
• Cool the pastry rolls completely on a wire rack, allowing flavors to settle and texture to become perfectly crisp.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 378 kcal
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 181 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg