What happens when you combine two of the best desserts? You get these Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls! Soft, pillowy rolls infused with warm spices and grated carrots, smothered in tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re everything you love about carrot cake and cinnamon rolls in one irresistibly tasty dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
For the Dough:
- Warm unsweetened soy milk – The liquid base for the dough. It should be warm to the touch (100-110°F), like a comfortable bath. Too hot and it’ll kill the yeast; too cold and the yeast won’t activate properly.
- Sugar – Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
- Vegan butter – Melted and added to the dough for richness and tenderness. Make sure it’s cooled slightly so it doesn’t kill the yeast.
- Active dry yeast – The magic that makes these rolls rise and become fluffy. Make sure it’s fresh and not expired.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth to the dough.
- All-purpose flour – The structure of the rolls. It’s divided—2 cups go in before the first rise, and the remaining ½ cup is added after the first rise.
- Baking powder – Added after the first rise to give the rolls extra lift and a tender crumb.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg – The warm spices that give these rolls their carrot cake character.
- Finely grated carrots – Fresh carrots add moisture, natural sweetness, and that signature carrot cake flavor. Make sure to grate them finely and squeeze them dry.
For the Filling:
- Dark brown sugar – Creates a sweet, caramel-like filling with deep molasses flavor. Use organic to ensure it’s vegan-friendly!
- Vegan butter – Softened butter helps the filling spread easily and creates gooey pockets of sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves – More warm spices for a concentrated carrot cake flavor in every swirl.
- Finely grated carrots – More carrots in the filling! Again, squeeze them dry to prevent a soggy filling.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans – Optional, but they add texture and are traditional in carrot cake.
- Raisins – Also optional, but they add little bursts of sweetness if you’re a raisin fan.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Powdered sugar – The base of the frosting. Sift it to prevent lumps.
- Vegan cream cheese – Softened cream cheese gives the frosting its signature tangy flavor. Use a good-quality brand like Kite Hill or Violife.
- Vegan butter – Helps make the frosting smooth and pourable.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor.
- Ground cinnamon – Optional, but adds an extra hint of warmth to the frosting.
Find the full printable recipe here: Vegan Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
