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Sticky Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls + Birthday Giveaway!

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Today I am officially another year older, 28.  Almost thirty.  Sometimes I feel old, really.  I wonder where life has gone as I look back on the years and all the things that have and have not happened.  And I was pretty prepared to call 2017 a failure.

That’s not fair at all.  It wasn’t a bad year.  We tried new restaurants and went to concerts, a baseball game, a basketball game.  I made a new friend and some writing connections that will hopefully lead to more than just a nice conversation or a few emails exchanged back and forth.

It was a year of laughing and talking, walking to get coffee and watching a lot of movies, even if a too high percentage of them weren’t very good at all.  It was a year where I tried to live life to the fullest, setting aside anxieties and fear, as well as negativity and stress as much as possible.

I looked back on my birthday post last year (more sticky buns, maybe I am starting a trend!), in which I made 27 wishes.  I would have guessed very few of them came true before I began reading.  And while the big ones are rolling over to this year, a lot more happened than I realized.

We had lots of nice weather and sunshine.  I got to see Lady Gaga and OneRepublic in concert.  I found a friend, spent tons of time with Mom and Dad, found a lotion that has definitely kept my dry skin under control, and even finally showed Wii fencing who’s boss.

Perhaps most importantly I was myself, even through a lot of criticism that made me question just about everything about my life.  I reconsidered every decision I made and everything I have stood for.  I felt like a total failure and waste of space, but with a pep talk from Mom that gave me clarity, I battled those feelings and showed them and the haters who is boss.

That may be just about the best thing that happened last year.  And while I still have good and bad days and have to land an agent this year no matter what, I can’t call my 27th year on this earth a failure.  Here’s to 28 being even better.

And since it’s starting with these Sticky Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls how can it not be?  I wanted to make them since seeing them but I wanted to put my spin on them with some goo, pecans, and a drizzle of glaze.

Look, I’m not going to tell you these taste just like carrots or carrot cake, they don’t.  but we don’t really need decadent breakfasts to taste like vegetables.  I will also definitely tell you these are crazy good.

It all starts with a bread base with carrots in it.  Then the rolls are smeared with butter, cinnamon, sugar, and more carrots.  Before resting, I heavily buttered the parchment lined pan, put in a heavy sprinkle of sugar, and a ton of pecans.  When these came out of the oven, I drizzled over a vanilla bean glaze and dug in.

They are pure heaven and I am so glad it didn’t make a ton because they are hard to resist.

To celebrate my birthday, I am giving you all the chance to win some fun music prizes since I absolutely love music and concerts.  There will even be two winners.  One winner will receive a Lady Gaga pink cowboy hat, a Taylor Swift reputation CD, a Taylor Swift poster, and a P!nk Beautiful Trauma CD.  The second place winner will receive a Taylor Swift reputation CD.

Hat image courtesy of Lady Gaga .com.

To enter the giveaway, answer the question who is your favorite musical artist?

To earn additional entries:

Like Pies and Plots on Facebook

Follow Pies and Plots on Twitter

Follow Pies and Plots on Pinterest

Follow Pies and Plots on Instagram

Follow Pies and Plots on Bloglovin’

For each additional entry, leave an entirely separate comment telling me you have followed me.  Each comment is one entry.

This giveaway is open to US residents only.  The giveaway ends Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 at 11:59 pm ET.  I will choose the winner via random.org and contact them via email.  The winner has 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck!

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Sticky Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls + Birthday Giveaway!

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  • Total Time: 1 hour 24 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1 cup milk (I used almond, use what you love)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 cup grated carrot

Filling

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup raisins
  • 1 cup grated carrot

Pan Goo and Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup pecans
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk (I used almond, use what you love)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  1. Make the dough. Heat the milk and butter in the microwave in 30 second increments in a large microwave safe bowl until very warm to the touch. Sprinkle in the yeast and drizzle in the honey. Stir to combine. Allow to sit 5-10 minutes until very foamy.
  2. Stir in 2 ½ cups flour, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Add the grated carrot and remaining cup of flour. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until it comes together. Oil the bowl well and form the dough into a ball. Cover with plastic and place in a warm spot for about two hours until at least doubled in size.
  3. When the dough has rested, press it into a large rectangle, about 18 inches long and 10 inches high. I found a rolling pin unnecessary; my hands did the trick. It’s such a nice dough! Spread with the softened butter, sprinkle with the sugars, cinnamon, raisins, and carrot.
  4. Line an 8 or 9 inch square pan with parchment, use all two tablespoons of butter to grease mostly the bottom. Sprinkle with the sugar and pecans. Cut the rolls into uniform pieces and fit into the pan. They’ll all fit – squeeze them in. cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
  5. In the morning, pull the pan out about 1 ½ hours before you want to bake and place in a warm spot. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Bake the rolls for 25 minutes, raise the temperature to 375 and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until fully baked.
  6. Immediately invert the rolls onto a serving plate, peel off the parchment, and whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the rolls and serve! Rolls may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or frozen, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the microwave about 1 minute.

Notes

Recipe adapted from How Sweet Eats

  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes

 

Comments

  1. I like Carrot cake and I really like cinnamon rolls but I can’t imagine what the combination taste like but I’m sure it’s delicious. Therefore I will have to try the Sticky Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Music is good for the soul. There are so many talented artists that come to mind, both living and have passed away. I can’t honestly name one favorite. But the initial ones that come to mind are Whitney Houston, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elvis. Guess I’m showing my age. I like a lot of the new ones also but these stand out to me. Then there is Dolly Pardon, Johnny Cash that have produced outstanding tunes.

    Reply

  5. I’m also following you on bloglovin.
    http://www.bloglovin.com/reidsrd

    I would follow you on Twitter but I can’t follow anyone else because I do not have enough following me. I feel it’s kinda tacky that I and others follow so many bloggers but do not get a follow in return and it makes a difference in how many a person can follow especially in Twitter. Pinterest I know doesn’t have a limit that I’m aware of and maybe bloglovin but Instagram, Twitter and Facebook does. Anyway, thank you for your generosity.

    Reply

    • Hi Christy! I did not know there was a limit on how many people you can follow. I don’t follow that many people and don’t plan on changing that, however, you still have quite a few entries in the giveaway, so good luck!

      Reply

  6. Oh, my – those look beyond fabulous!
    Happy birthday!! You are still so young and have a lot to see and do in this life. Never let anyone steal your sunshine. We are all our own person and have to live our own lives the way we want to live it!!
    I follow you on all those different sites, but I can make do with one entry, because when you’re lucky one is all you need 🙂

    Reply

  7. Congratulations on your Birthday and Best Wishes for a New Year with new beginnings! You are a wonderful young lady who has so much potential! You have creative ideas when it comes to writing, cooking and fashion. Believe in yourself, and everything else will follow. May this be the best year ever!

    Reply

    • Carol and Stan! I always love when you leave a comment. I know we have never met, but I am so appreciative of you cheering me on xoxo

      Reply

  8. Those cinnamon rolls look absolutely amazing! I love carrot cake, so I’m definitely going to have to try em’ out in cinnamon roll form! *-*

    I hope you have an awesome birthday! <3

    I have a ton of favorite artists, but some of my favorites are Keali'i Reichel, Romeo Santos, Nightwish, and Within Temptation! :]

    Reply

    • Thanks, Farrah, and yes, you definitely have to try these cinnamon rolls. I will have to check out your favorite artists. I haven’t heard of them and love discovering new music!

      Reply

  9. Happy Birthday! I can’t believe you are 28! When you see your children and nieces and nephews get older, it really hits home how time flies. I’m so happy with your post and your positive attitude. I too think you had a pretty good 2017 with all the things you have accomplished and the fun that you had. Was it everything you wanted? Well, no but almost everyone can say that. This is a new year and new accomplishments are out there for you! Keep it up! Your STICKY CARROT CAKE CINNAMON ROLLS sound really good and gooey and that is my favorite kind of dessert!

    I have so many artists that I like…from Lady Gaga to Celine Dion to One Republic and Nickel Back. Also love Megan Trainor and John Legend. Sorry, I can’t name just one….

    Reply

    • Thanks, Debbie! I can’t believe how time flies either. And yes, none of us get everything we want, so hopefully I’ll keep trending in the right direction this year. Gooey desserts are my favorite too, and we have many of the same favorite artists 🙂 xoxo

      Reply

  20. Happy birthday, Laura!! You’ve made a lot of rich memories this year and I hope your 28th is just as wonderful! (Not entering the giveaway, just saying hi 🙂 ).

    Reply

  23. Not entering the giveaway, just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday! I know what you mean, 2017 was kind of a disappointing year for me too, but I made small steps to progress towards my goals. But, I think it is important to take steps forward, even if it’s 2 steps forward, 1 step back, etc. I wish you best of luck with your endeavors this year!

    Reply

    • Hi Serena! Thanks for the comment! It’s really important to look back and know that we took those small steps, even if they haven’t quite led to the exact destination we wish. I hope 2018 is the best year yet for both of us!!!

      Reply

  28. Happy Birthday! ♥♥♥ I hope that you are having the best year ever! My favorite artist is Adele.

    Reply

  44. I have a few favorite musical artist. Pink is one. Kid Rock and I always like to listen to Def Leppard. I really like all kinds of music.

    Reply

  61. Taylor Swift is my favorite. Would love to win the giveaway. (I also love/and still love Shakira, Idina Menzel and Amy Grant). I’m following you on Twitter.

    Reply

  68. I have a few favorite artists like Faith no More, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, NIN and Soundgarden. I spent my 90’s going to concerts and seeing live shows.

    Reply

  92. It’s difficult to narrow my music tastes down to a single artist. I love Beckah Shae, for her upbeat, positive music. I like Train’s pleasant sound. I also like some of P!nk’s songs, and enjoy some Motown once in a while. I love 80’s music, like to go “Old School” sound with Postmodern Jukebox, and even like some country artists, like Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks. With such eclectic tastes, listening to music is never dull, especially when I set my music player to “shuffle!” 😀

    Reply

  94. I am a huge music lover so I really love so many artists. Some of my favorites are Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Pink, Alessia Cara, The Chainsmokers, and so so many more.

    Reply

  113. Taylor Swift is one of my favorite artists, her album Red is an absolute masterpiece and one of my favorite albums of all time! She’s a true star bursting with so much talent!

    Reply

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